Franklin and Hawkins Family Funeral Directors News

Blogs, News and Thoughts

Franklin and Hawkins Funeral Directors

Conversations, advice and local updates from your Coventry and Solihull Family Funeral Directors.

Canley Garden Cemetery, Coventry.

Pure Cremation vs Local Funeral Directors: The Questions Families Should Ask

October 16, 2025

Why families research both national and local options When it comes to arranging a funeral, many families now compare national providers such as Pure Cremation with their local funeral director. Direct cremation has grown rapidly in the UK, and with more choice available, it’s natural to want to understand the differences before deciding. What Pure Cremation offers: the basics explained Pure Cremation is a national company that specialises in direct cremation UK services, shaping the funeral industry in numerous ways. They focus on a simple, unattended cremation, usually arranged over the phone or online. Their large advertising campaigns have raised awareness and made direct cremation a household term,

How Pure Cremation Changed the Funeral Industry, And What Comes Next

October 9, 2025

The rise of direct cremation in the UK Direct cremation has become one of the biggest changes in the UK funeral landscape in recent years. Once a little-known option, it’s now something many families consider when planning a farewell. This shift is thanks in large part to Pure Cremation, the national provider that put direct cremation on the map. How Pure Cremation popularised direct cremation Pure Cremation was founded in 2015 and quickly grew to become the UK’s most recognisable names in direct cremation. Through bold advertising campaigns, they took what was once an unfamiliar concept and made it a household term. Families who had never heard of

Baby Loss Awareness Week: Remembering, Supporting, and Breaking the Silence

October 9, 2025

Each year, from 9th–15th October, we come together for Baby Loss Awareness Week. A time to honour the tiny lives gone too soon and to show support for the families who carry their memory every single day. For many families, the loss of a baby, whether through miscarriage, stillbirth, or shortly after birth, is something that changes life forever. It’s a grief that can feel invisible at times, one that doesn’t always have the space it deserves. At Franklin & Hawkins, we believe in creating those spaces, where love, loss, and remembrance can be held with gentleness and respect. Grief That Has No Timeline There’s no “right way”

Bereavement Support Coventry and Birmingham

Addressing Disputes & Difficult Decisions When Planning a Funeral

October 8, 2025

Arranging a funeral is always emotional, and sometimes, families don’t see eye to eye. At Franklin & Hawkins, we understand that grief can bring strong feelings to the surface, and even the most united families can face disagreements about how best to honour a loved one. Here, we explore some of the most common areas of conflict, and how to approach them with sensitivity. Differences in vision for the funeral One sibling might want a traditional church service in Coventry, while another would prefer a non-religious gathering to take place at the crematorium. These decisions carry deep personal meaning, so it’s no surprise that opinions vary. A good

What to Expect After Direct Cremation: Options for Your Loved One’s Ashes

October 8, 2025

When families choose a direct cremation, it’s often because they want something simple, dignified, and without the formality of a traditional service. But once the cremation has taken place, one of the most common questions we’re asked at Franklin & Hawkins is: “What happens next with the ashes?” There’s no one right answer. Every family is different, and the choice you make should reflect the life, values, and wishes of your loved one. Here are some of the most common, and meaningful, options. Receiving the ashes At Franklin & Hawkins, we’ll talk you through the process of receiving your loved ones ashes and make sure everything is handled

Pure Cremation vs Local Funeral Directors: Why Families Choose a More Personal Direct Cremation Service

September 23, 2025

Pure Cremation vs Local Funeral Directors: Why Families Choose a More Personal Direct Cremation Service In recent years, direct cremation in the UK has grown rapidly, largely thanks to the rise of national providers like Pure Cremation. Their message of affordability and simplicity has resonated with many families, making them one of the most recognised names in the sector. But while Pure Cremation has scale, families increasingly ask an important question: Is a national brand really the right choice at such a personal and emotional time? For many, the answer lies in choosing a Pure Cremation alternative — a local, independent funeral director who can provide the same

Understanding Direct Cremation: A Practical Choice That Still Shows You Care

August 26, 2025

When people hear the term direct cremation, it can sometimes sound a little impersonal. With no service at the crematorium, no flowers, and no tributes, it is simply the cremation itself. This has led to some common myths; that it is a “cold” or “uncaring” choice, or that it is only about saving money. In reality, direct cremation is becoming increasingly popular in England, with around 20% of funerals last year arranged in this way. Families choose it not because they care less, but because it gives them the freedom to say goodbye in their own way, at a time and place that feels right for them. What

Common Questions About Arranging a Funeral Service

August 20, 2025

At Franklin and Hawkins Family Funeral Directors, we support hundreds of families each year in arranging funerals for their loved ones. We understand that this can be an overwhelming time, with many decisions needing to be made during a period of grief. Families often worry about making the right choices for their loved one while also considering other relatives, funeral costs, and any wishes their loved one may have expressed. In this blog, we’ll answer some of our most frequently asked questions and explain how we support families in arranging a funeral with empathy, experience, and a personal touch. Simply put, it’s our family looking after yours. What’s

Franklin and Hawkins Funeral Home Tile Hill

Coffins Through the Ages. History, Innovation and Meaning.

August 12, 2025

When you think of a coffin, you might picture the polished wood and brass handles we see today — but the coffin’s history is far richer and more varied. Across cultures and centuries, coffins have been a symbol of love, respect, and belief in what comes next. From ancient stone sarcophagi to biodegradable wicker caskets, they’ve carried not just people, but stories. A Brief History of the Coffin The word coffin comes from the Old French cofin, meaning “basket,” which gives you a clue about its earliest forms. Ancient Egypt: Pharaohs and nobles were buried in elaborately decorated sarcophagi, often made of stone or gilded wood, painted with

Why More Families Are Choosing Direct Cremation (And Why It Doesn’t Mean You Don’t Care)

August 11, 2025

When people hear the term direct cremation, it can sometimes sound a little impersonal. No service at the crematorium, no flowers, no tributes. Just the cremation itself. And that’s where some myths creep in, that it’s a “cold” or “uncaring” choice, or that it’s only about saving money. Direct cremation is becoming increasingly popular in the UK, not because people care less, but because they want the freedom to say goodbye in their own way, in their own time. What exactly is direct cremation? Put simply, direct cremation is where your loved one is taken into our care and cremated without a formal service at the crematorium. Their

From Here to Home: Understanding the Repatriation Process

August 8, 2025

When someone dies overseas, or their final wish is to be laid to rest in another country, the process of getting them “home” is called repatriation. It’s a word that carries a lot of weight; emotional, cultural, and practical. And while it’s something most people don’t think about until they’re faced with it, for some families, repatriation is a deeply important part of honouring their loved one. Why someone might be repatriated There are all kinds of reasons. Some people pass away while on holiday, or working abroad. Others may have immigrated many years ago but still wish to be buried in their country of birth. Sometimes there’s

Crematoriums in Coventry and Warwickshire

August 7, 2025

When planning a cremation, choosing the right crematorium is about more than logistics, it’s about atmosphere, surroundings, and feeling confident that everything will run smoothly. We’ve put together some details on the main crematoriums we work with across Coventry, Solihull, and Birmingham. Helping to give you a clearer picture of what’s available locally, from your Local, Independent, Family Funeral Director. Coventry and Warwickshire Canley Crematorium – Coventry Canley Crematorium is the main crematorium serving Coventry and has been part of the community since 1943. It was originally designed in the 1930s but delayed due to the war. It has two chapels: the Charter Chapel, and the slightly newer

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