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.

Can You Really Be Buried at Home? Everything You Need to Know

July 31, 2025

When we think about funerals, most of us picture cemeteries, crematoriums, or churchyards. But did you know that in the UK, it’s actually legal to be buried at home? Yes, you can be laid to rest in your own back garden if you want to. It’s a concept that might feel unusual at first, but for some families, it’s deeply comforting and incredibly personal. The first question usually asked regarding home burials is “Is It Legal?” The short answer: Yes, home burial is legal in the UK. There’s no law saying you can’t be buried on private land—but there are a few important rules you need to follow:

Grief in the Digital Age: Saying Goodbye Online

July 29, 2025

Grief has always been a deeply personal experience, but in today’s digital world, the way we say goodbye to those we love is evolving. Social media, online memorials, and virtual condolence spaces have become modern extensions of traditional mourning rituals, offering both comfort and complexity in equal measure. The Rise of Social Media Memorials When someone passes away, their social media profiles often remain active. For many, these pages become digital memorials, spaces where friends and family can share stories, post photos, and leave messages of love. These platforms create a sense of connection, allowing people to grieve collectively, from wherever in the world they maybe. Digital Grieving

A Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne: Understanding the Grief We Feel When Icons Pass

July 23, 2025

Yesterday, we said goodbye to an icon. Ozzy Osbourne, the Prince of Darkness, a wild soul, a working class hero who created and defined a genre. And for some of us, it feels heavy. You might be feeling that, too. A lump in your throat, an unexpected wave of sadness, a strange sort of emptiness that feels… a little out of place. After all, most of us never knew Ozzy personally, we didn’t sit with him, laugh with him, share stories over a cuppa (Although he did drop a sheep’s eye on Theresa’s Dad’s pub table decades ago, but that’s a story for another day) However, we did

Funerals on Screen. When TV and Film Get it Right….and When They Don’t

July 21, 2025

Let’s be honest, most of us have probably cried at a fictional funeral before. Whether it’s in a film, a TV series, or an unexpected scene in a soap, there’s something powerful about watching people say goodbye, even if they’re not real. But as we work in the funeral profession every day, we can’t help but notice when TV and films get it right… and when they don’t and end up missing the mark completely. With that in mind, lets explore how funerals are shown on screen, the good, the questionable, and the downright dramatic. When They Get it Right…. Four Weddings and a Funeral: The funeral scene

Green and Natural Burials, A Gentle Return to Nature

July 20, 2025

More and more families are choosing green or natural burials for their loved one, or themselves. In fact, according to the National Funeral Director’s Association 2024 Consumer Awareness and Preferences Report, 68% of people surveyed showed an interest in natural burial, up from 55.7% in 2021. These burials offer a beautiful, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional funerals, allowing someone to return to the earth in the gentlest, most natural way possible. At Franklin & Hawkins Independent Family Funeral Directors, we’re proud to support families in creating meaningful farewells that align with personal values, beliefs, and hopes for the planet. What is a Green Burial? Green and natural burials

Making It Personal: Ways to Add Meaningful Touches to a Funeral

July 16, 2025

No two people are the same, and we believe that no two funerals should be either. Personalising a funeral can be a beautiful way to celebrate someone’s unique life, values, and the things they loved most. At Franklin & Hawkins Family Funeral Directors, we see every funeral as a chance to tell a story, and sometimes, the smallest details can mean the most. Here are just a few ideas for making a funeral feel truly personal. A Personalised Coffin Gone are the days when you could only choose between wood or wood. Families now have so many options, from coffins decorated with beautiful floral prints, favourite sports teams,

Finding Comfort Together: Local Bereavement Cafés & Support Groups in Birmingham, Solihull & Coventry

July 14, 2025

Grief Can Be Lonely, But You Don’t Have To Grieve Alone. Grief can feel isolating, but you don’t have to carry it by yourself. All around Solihull, Birmingham and Coventry, there are warm, welcoming bereavement cafés and support groups. These safe spaces help you talk, share memories, and connect with others who truly understand. What Is a Bereavement Café? A bereavement café is an informal, friendly place to meet others experiencing loss. There’s no agenda or counselling, just conversation over tea and biscuits, a listening ear, and the gentle comfort of being together. Local Bereavement Support Marston Green & Solihull Marie Curie Hospice West Midlands (Solihull) Marie Curie

Franklin and Hawkins Family Funeral Directors

The Benefits of Choosing a Local Funeral Director for Direct Cremation in Coventry and Birmingham

July 11, 2025

Direct cremation is on the rise, but not every provider puts people before process. That’s where choosing your local funeral director for direct cremation makes all the difference. With so many national direct cremation providers popping up online, through your door, and even on the television, it’s easy to assume they’re the best (or only) option. Here’s why choosing a local, independent funeral director in Coventry or Birmingham, like us, can make a real difference for you and your loved one. Because we see the person, not the process. 1. Your Loved One Stays Local in Coventry or Birmingham When you choose a national direct cremation company, your

Bereaved Parents Month: Holding Space for Love and Loss

July 4, 2025

At Franklin & Hawkins Family Funeral Directors, we walk alongside families through their hardest days. This July, during Bereaved Parents Month, our thoughts are especially with every parent who has lost a child. Why Bereaved Parents Month Matters For any parent who has experienced this heartbreak, the grief never truly goes away. It becomes part of life, woven through every day, every season, every milestone missed. Bereaved Parents Month is a chance to shine a light on this silent grief, to remember precious lives gone too soon, and to stand with those who carry this heaviness. What We See as Funeral Directors We meet parents when their

Planning Ahead: Why Recording Your Funeral Wishes Matters (And How to Do It for Free)

July 3, 2025

Plan Ahead And Record Your Funeral Wishes — Talking about death isn’t easy, but we know it can bring real peace of mind. So we’re here to help, with a free guide to make it simple. No pressure, no pre-payment, just peace of mind. Why Plan Ahead And Record Your Funeral Wishes? When someone dies, families are left to make all sorts of decisions, sometimes with no idea what their loved one would have wanted. Burial or cremation? A big service or something quiet? Favourite music? Flowers? What kind of coffin? By writing your wishes down in advance, you take that pressure off the people you love. Instead

Why We’re Proud to Be a Local, Independent Funeral Director

June 26, 2025

At Franklin and Hawkins Family Funeral Directors being local isn’t just about where we are…..it’s who we are and we are proud to be a local and independent funeral directors. We opened our first branch in Tile Hill, Coventry in 2008, followed soon after by Marston Green, Birmingham. Built by the Franklin and Hawkins families, and still proudly family-run today, we’ve grown through word of mouth, trust, and a genuine connection to the people we serve. And while our service has evolved with time, one thing has never changed: how much we care. We’re proud to be part of the community, not just working in it, but giving

What Happens After the Funeral? Navigating the Weeks That Follow.

June 24, 2025

The funeral has taken place, the flowers have been gathered, and the last cup of tea has been poured. In the days and weeks that follow, many families find themselves asking, “Now what?” Grief doesn’t end when the service does. Whether the funeral was large or small, traditional or simple, attended or a direct cremation, what comes next can feel like a strange in-between, a space filled with emotion, paperwork, decisions, and moments of deep reflection. Here’s a gentle guide through what may come after the funeral, and how to navigate it with care. Taking Time to Breathe First and foremost: be kind to yourself. The build-up to

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0121 779 5577