Charles E. Ashton began as a small joinery business in North Featherstone, founded in 1954 by Eddie Ashton.
After serving seven years in the army, Eddie set his sights on becoming a Funeral Director and dreamed of establishing a Chapel of Rest—an ambitious goal at a time when such facilities were virtually unheard of. Over the following years, Eddie fulfilled that vision, building the Chapel of Rest in Glass Houghton. During this time, he married Iris, of Cutsyke, and together they ran the business from their home. Their son Dean later joined as a Partner, with his wife Alison—a former Legal Secretary—managing the office operations. As the business grew, the premises were gradually extended, culminating in the construction of a purpose-built office overlooking the Glass Houghton roundabout. Alongside supporting the business, Iris pursued a career in education, teaching in Castleford and eventually becoming a Head Teacher in Pontefract. Her dedication to both her profession and the family business was instrumental in its development. The family later expanded further, building attractive new premises in Pontefract, which earned them a prestigious Civic Award. Today, Dean and Alison’s children Charlotte and Mathew have joined the business full-time, along with Charlotte’s husband, Luke. Together, the Ashton family continues to uphold a strong reputation for delivering a traditional, personal, and compassionate service to the community.
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| Taking care of all necessary legal and administrative arrangements | £945.00 |
| Collecting and transporting the deceased person from the place of death (normally within 15 miles of the funeral director’s premises) into the funeral director’s care | £200.00 |
| Care of the deceased person before the funeral in appropriate facilities. | £290.00 |
| Providing a suitable coffin | £640.00 |
| Viewing of the deceased person for family and friends, by appointment with the funeral director (where viewing is requested by the customer) | £100.00 |
| At a date and time you agree with the funeral director, taking the deceased person direct to the agreed cemetery or crematorium (normally within 20 miles of the funeral director’s premises) in a hearse or other appropriate vehicle | £250.00 |
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| Burial (funeral director’s charges only) | £1,285.00 |
| Cremation (funeral director’s charges plus the cremation fee)2 | £1,370.00 |
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For an Attended or Unattended burial funeral, the burial fee.1 In this local area, the typical cost of the burial fee for local residents is: For a new grave, you will also need to pay for the plot; for an existing grave with a memorial in place, you may need to pay a removal/replacement fee. In addition, the cemetery may charge a number of other fees. |
£1,590.00 |
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For an Attended cremation funeral, the cremation fee.2 In this local area, the typical cost of a cremation for local residents is: |
£790.00 |
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| Additional mileage (price per mile) | £1.00 |
| Additional transfers of the deceased person’s body (e.g. to their home, to a place of worship etc.) (price per transfer) | £120.00 |
| Collection and delivery of ashes | £60.00 |
| Embalming | POA |
| Funeral officiant (e.g. celebrant, minister of religion etc.) | £230.00 |
| Limousine | POA |
The funeral director can give you a full list of what they can supply. They are likely to charge for these additional products and services, so you may choose to take care of some arrangements without their involvement, or you can use a different supplier.
1. This fee (which is sometimes called the interment fee) is the charge made for digging and closing a new grave, or for reopening and closing an existing grave.
2. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, you will usually need to pay doctors’ fees as well. This is the charge for two doctors to sign the Medical Certificates for Cremation.
Prices correct as from 26/01/2026and may be subject to change. E & O.E.
14 Wakefield Rd, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF8 4HN
