Wathall's - The Funeral Directors

13/06/2026

In Loving Memory of Don Brown 🕊️

At the request of the family, we are sharing the funeral details of Don Brown.

Don passed away peacefully at Kingsway View Care Home on 25th May 2026, aged 88 years.

He was a beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather and friend. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Funeral Details:
🗓️ Friday 26th June
⏰ 11:00am
📍 Main Chapel at Markeaton Crematorium

The family would like to invite those who knew Don to the service, and to join them afterwards to celebrate his memory at Mackworth Farmhouse.

Family flowers only please, but donations in lieu will support Parkinson's UK and may be left at the service or given online at: https://don-brown-1938-2026.muchloved.com/

All enquiries, please call Sarah on 01332 504027

07/06/2026

Did you know there was a week in the UK dedicated to recognising Cemeteries...

Well, that week starts today.

As someone who frequently visits cemeteries, both for work and personally, we can tell you that we are so fortunate to have such wonderful burial grounds around us.

But today, we wanted to highlight one in particular:
Nottingham Road Cemetery 🪦

Almost 4 years ago, we became founding members of the Friends of Nottingham Road Cemetery group. A group formed to support the council in tending to the cemetery, improving the experience of those who visit the cemetery, as well as educate the local community on its history and wildlife.

As a funeral director, we have been able to help families who contact us not only find the details of their ancestors funerals, but also locate them within both Nottingham Road and Uttoxeter Road cemeteries.

We've also been involved in projects such as the Letterbox to Heaven, the planting of tens of thousands of bulbs, clean up operations & attended the open days held there several times a year.

Most people think that cemeteries are depressing places, but there is so much beauty, and sometimes friendship to be found 🤍

05/06/2026

Karen & Emma recently spent a lovely sunny evening at Middleton Lodge Care Home, Littleover at an event for residents, staff and families.

Alongside other companies, our Littleover Funeral Directors were able to share some of our company history, and discuss options for bereavement support and funeral ideas.

Middleton Lodge is a lovely care home, with excellent facilities, thank you for inviting us.

04/06/2026

With Father’s Day around the corner, it’s a tough one for many of us for one reason or another.

For those who will be struggling this, Fay from Dandelions Bereavement Support has designed some cards that are perfect for navigating a difficult Father’s Day of grief.

Well done Fay 👏🏼💛

03/06/2026

Last month we conducted the funeral of a gentleman who took out a pre-paid funeral plan.

The plan was arranged by our colleague Sarah Best, who sadly passed away in 2024 🕊️ The gentleman and his wife arrange their plans together in 2013. His wife passed away in 2016, with this gentleman passing ten years later.

As an avid RAF enthusiast and true patriot, he arranged a beautifully personalised funeral for himself, the perfect reflection of his personality and interests.

⚰️ Spitfire coffin
🐴 White horse drawn hearse
🇬🇧 plumes of red white and blue
🎵 The Battle of Britain theme song to be played on entrance, White Cliffs of Dover by Vera Lynn during the service and We'll Meet Again by Vera Lynn on exit.
🎗️ donations were collected for the RAF Amputee Hospital.

After the service, 18 doves were released before the congregation dispersed.

It was a beautiful service and it was our honour to take this gentleman on his final journey and fulfil the arrangements he made with Sarah

❤️🤍💙

01/06/2026

First Monday back in the office after the bank holiday and half term, the team made use of the extra day, seeing their families, socialising with friends & a few weekend breaks.

For the Wathall family, who have young children currently off from school, this half term marks their 32nd year of visiting a place special to them, Cornwall.

Obviously when visiting the coast, where else would you stop but on a farm.

This farm has been a retreat from the highs and lows of running a business and the trip feels even more special as the next generation get to experience it too.

Whatever you were up to over the half term, we hope it is a peaceful one 🤍

23/05/2026

Helen and Charlotte attended a training day hosted a few weeks ago by Fay from Dandelions Bereavement Support.

The session took place at our head office on Macklin Street, and saw facilitators from different companies come together to learn how to deliver the programme.

Days like this are essential to ensure that the programme delivers the most up to date learnings and strategies.

All of the facilitators are now fresh up to date for the next programme taking place in June.

We have had a few spaces become available in our June programme which starts Monday, June 1st and runs for four weeks.

Over four Monday evenings (6-8pm at Derby Rugby Club, Haslams Lane), you'll:
• Learn practical tools for processing grief
• Explore what grief means for you in a safe, non-judgmental space
• Connect with others who truly understand what you're going through
• Gain clarity on how to move forward while honouring your loss

To secure your spot:
☎️ Fay on 01332 345268
📧 [email protected]
📱DM the Dandelions Page

22/05/2026

Our offices will be closed on Monday for the bank holiday.

Although our doors may be shut, our phone lines remain open should you need us.

Our on-call team this weekend is:
Office: Amanda, Anita & Karen
Yard: David, Simon, Neil, Stuart B, Brian and Stuart P

🎩✨

21/05/2026

A couple of weeks ago, we had the pleasure of attending the Friends of Nottingham Road Cemetery open day.

Blessed with beautiful weather, we spent the day answering many questions around funerals, making lots of tea and enjoying the company of those in attendance.

We even had a special visit from the Deputy Mayor of Derby, Councillor Philip Ingall, who thoroughly enjoyed learning the company history, particularly trying on the many hats we had on display, including the helmet that Harry Wathall wore in WW1.

What a great day. Well done to Scott and the Friends of Nottingham Road Cemetery who put together such a good event. We look forward to attending in the future.

19/05/2026

💛💛💛

Hey Dandelions,

We just wanted to say thank you if you joined in on our world mental health week challenge. We received some lovely feedback in our DMs. It's amazing that our humble grief support group in Derby has managed to turn into something that has helped hundreds of people all over the world through some dark times.

If you didn't see the challenge, but would like to take part, the posts aren't going anywhere. There are 7 days of little challenges, all with the aim to look after your mental health.

Grief can be so heavy to carry, so lets take some time to look after ourselves.

Sending you love & comfort this Tuesday.

From,
The Dandelions team 💛