Wathall's - The Funeral Directors

30/08/2026

During the last bank holiday we received a message from a family.

Their loved one had died in hospital on the Saturday morning.

As arrangements couldn't be made until the Tuesday when the relevant offices opened, this left the family feeling lost.

The reached out on Monday morning after spending the weekend feeling lost.

They asked if there was anything they could be doing while they waited, as doing nothing was too uncomfortable.

We wanted to share this message, just in case there are any of you sitting in that emptiness, looking for something you can do.

❤️

31/07/2026

We have all watched in horror at the evidence coming to light this week regarding Legacy Funeral Directors in Hull.

6 generations of our family have served our community, and not a single one of them has seen anything like this before.

The evidence is clear. We need regulation.

We have been a trusted funeral director in Derby for almost 170 years, passed from generation to generation, each of us raised with strong values, with integrity, dignity, respect, care, compassion being at the core.

Those values are present in every member of our team.

Anyone who chooses this profession should be held to these values as the bare minimum to do what we do.

We have always offered access upon request to our restricted areas. An option to anyone wishing to use our service, now or in the future. We are a proud member of SAIF independent funeral directors, our trade association.

We continue to stand by SAIF as we urge the government to regulate our industry.

Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and the service men and women who were affected by these awful crimes.

SAIF has responded following the sentencing of Robert Bush at Hull Crown Court. Bush was sentenced to twenty years after pleading guilty to 67 offences connected with his operation of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors. In his sentencing remarks, Mr Justice Hilliard said: “No sentence I pass can...

30/07/2026

Our Dandelions went on an adventure to Crich Tramway Village 🚃

What a fun day out for the group, brought together through loss, bonded by the friendships found in our support group ❤️

We’re so proud of what this group turned into! Well done Fay, Charlotte & team 👏🏼

06/07/2026

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Jean Wathall 🕊️

Jean was very much a part of the fibre of Wathall's from the moment she married the late Bill Wathall until earlier this year when she 'retired' from her advisory position.

On the 26th June 2026, Jean passed peacefully at the Royal Derby Hospital, aged 95 years. She was a beloved wife to the late Bill Wathall, loving mother to Helen and Frances and doting Grandma to Bec, Charlotte and Hugo & Great Grandma to her four great grandchildren.

Her funeral service will be held at Markeaton Crematorium (main chapel) on Monday 20th July at 12:30pm.

Family flowers only, but if desired donations in Jeans memory can be made to the RNLI or Calibre Audio via her memorial page: https://jeanwathall.muchloved.com/ - two causes very important to her.

As a family, we would like to thank those who have been there to support us during this difficult time. Your messages, flowers and kindness has brought great comfort.

We respectfully ask that any enquires go to Robbie at Wathall’s by calling 01332 345268

Helen, Frances, Bec, Charlotte & Hugo x

21/06/2026

For those of you who are struggling with grief today, we see you 🤍🕊️

Some years it’s easier, some years it’s not, but each year you carry something.

Remembering those fathers who are so greatly missed today.

Please write their names in the comments, so we can remember them together 🤍

19/06/2026

This month, we celebrate not one, but two huge milestones for Charlotte Wathall.

Today, we are celebrating her 10 year anniversary of employment at Wathall's.

As I am sure you can imagine, when you decide to make your employment at a family business official, it's not your first day working there.

Before joining the team as a funeral arranger, Charlotte spent many a school holiday helping her mum Helen Wathall, with incredibly important jobs such as washing cars, shredding, tea making and organising the stationery cupboard.

Over the past decade, Charlotte has worked in many administrative and family facing areas of the business.

Initially Charlotte joined and trained as a funeral arranger, and has since played an integral part in updating the company's operating procedures and databases amongst many other roles. More recently she is the company lead in pre-paid funeral plans and she also supports the team at Dandelions Bereavement Support in various ways.

The second milestone will be announced very soon, but we would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Charlotte on 10 successful years and thank her for her contributions 🤍

17/06/2026

In Loving Memory of Helen Marie Everard (nee Barker)🕊️

At the request of the family, we are sharing the funeral details of Helen Marie Everard.

Helen passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Thursday 4th June 2026 aged 69 years.

Helen was a much loved mum to Clare, precious Grandma to Harrison & Grace and a greatly missed sister, sister-in-law, Auntie, neighbour and friend.

Funeral Details:
🗓️ Friday 3rd July
⏰ 11:00am
📍 Main Chapel at Markeaton Crematorium

No flowers by request please, donations in lieu will support the British Heart Foundation and the Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre and may be left at the service or via Helen's tribute page: https://heleneverard.muchloved.com/

For all enquiries, please call Sarah or Lynne on 01332 504027

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.