Shaun Thorpe Independent Funeral Directors

25/08/2026

Thanks again to those who donated! 🙏 We'll be arranging another coffee morning in December so please keep an eye out for dates.

Shaun & Kady 💙

24/08/2026

✨ We’re delighted to announce that we are now stockists of EverWith Memorial Jewellery. ✨

Losing someone we love is never easy, and finding a way to keep their memory close can bring great comfort. Memorial jewellery offers a beautiful, personal way to carry a little piece of someone special with you, close to your heart, wherever you go. ❤️

EverWith create beautifully handcrafted memorial jewellery, including pieces designed to hold ashes and other meaningful keepsakes, with a wonderful choice of styles and designs.

Some of their most popular pieces include:

💍 Ladies Beloved Memorial Ashes Ring
💍 Gents Oblong Memorial Ashes Ring with Fine Crystals
💖 Classic Round Memorial Ashes Pendant
🔤 Alphabet Memorial Ashes Pendants
💎 Waves, Cherish and Remembrance Memorial Rings
🔗 Memorial Bracelets, Lockets and Charm Beads

There are lots of beautiful options to choose from, including rings, pendants, lockets, bracelets, earrings and personalised pieces.

You can browse the full EverWith collection online here:
"EverWith Memorial Jewellery" (https://reference-url-citation.invalid/2)

Alternatively, contact us to request an EverWith brochure and we’ll be happy to help you explore the range and find something that feels just right.

A special way to remember, cherish and keep someone close. ❤️

20/08/2026

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of
Susan Cuthbert.
Susan, of Newsome, Huddersfield passed away on 13th August 2026 at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, aged 73.
As per Susan's wishes, there will be no funeral service.
R. I. P

18/08/2026

Topic Tuesday

A brief history of cremation in the UK

Did you know that cremation has a surprisingly long history in Britain?

Although cremation has been practised by different civilisations for thousands of years, it became a significant part of the British funeral tradition during the late 19th century.

The first modern crematorium in Britain was built at Woking, Surrey, by the Cremation Society of England. The crematorium was designed by Edward B. Cox, a professor of chemistry and one of the early supporters of the cremation movement.

The building was completed in 1878, and the first cremation took place there in 1879. The first official cremation in Britain followed in 1885, when the body of Mrs Pickersgill was cremated at Woking.

The Cremation Act 1902 later established a legal framework for cremation in England and Wales, helping it to become more widely accepted.

Today, cremation is a familiar and widely chosen part of funeral services across the UK. For many families, it provides a meaningful way to say goodbye, while offering flexibility in how and where they choose to remember someone they love.

At Shaun Thorpe Independent Funeral Directors, we understand that every family is different. Whether you choose burial or cremation, we're here to guide you through the arrangements with care, dignity and compassion. ❤️

Topic Tuesday - sharing a little history behind the traditions that shape the way we say goodbye.

16/08/2026

Funerals can happen anywhere 🤍

When we think about funerals, many of us automatically picture a place of worship, a crematorium or a cemetery. But a funeral doesn’t have to take place in any of these places.

A funeral can take place almost anywhere, including a person’s own garden, providing there is enough suitable space and the necessary arrangements can be made.

At Shaun Thorpe Independent Funeral Directors, we believe that saying goodbye should be personal. There shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all approach to celebrating someone’s life.

Perhaps a garden was their favourite place. Maybe there’s a special outdoor space that held precious memories, or somewhere that simply feels more meaningful to you and your family.

We want to give families the freedom of choice to create a funeral that feels right for them, their loved one and their circumstances.

There is no “right” place for a funeral. The right place is wherever feels right to you. ❤️

If you’d like to explore the different possibilities for a funeral, we’re always here to listen, answer your questions and help you understand your choices.

Shaun Thorpe Independent Funeral Directors
Because your goodbye should be your choice.

15/08/2026

What is a Celebrant-led funeral service? 🌿

When saying goodbye to someone we love, there is no “one size fits all” approach. A funeral should reflect the person who has died, their life, their beliefs and the people who knew and loved them.

A Celebrant-led funeral service offers a personal and meaningful alternative to a traditional religious service.

A Celebrant will take the time to get to know about your loved one - their personality, family, memories, achievements, interests and the things that made them unique. From this, they create a bespoke service that tells their story in a warm, respectful and personal way.

The service can include:
❤️ Personal memories and stories
🎵 Favourite music and songs
📖 Readings, poems or reflections
🕊️ Tributes from family and friends
🌹 Moments for quiet reflection
📸 Special memories that truly capture their life

A Celebrant-led service does not have to be religious, but it can include spiritual or religious elements if these are meaningful to you and your family.

At Shaun Thorpe Independent Funeral Directors, we believe every person deserves a funeral that is as individual as they were.

We are here to listen, guide and help you create a farewell that feels right for you and your family.

If you would like to know more about Celebrant-led funeral services, or discuss the options available, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Shaun Thorpe Independent Funeral Directors
Independent, personal and here when you need us. 🤍

📸 Pictured is Lindsay, a Civil Celebrant who we regularly work alongside. Together we provide truly bespoke services from the heart.

14/08/2026

A More Intimate Alternative for Saying Goodbye 🤍

At Shaun Thorpe Independent Funeral Directors, we understand that every family is different, and there is no single “right” way to say goodbye to someone you love.

For some families, holding a service at Julie’s Chapel can offer a more personal and intimate alternative to a traditional crematorium service.

Our private chapel provides a peaceful, welcoming setting for up to 50 attendees, allowing families to come together in a more intimate environment. And unlike a crematorium, there are no strict time restrictions, so you don't have to feel rushed during what may be one of the most important moments of your life.

A service at Julie’s Chapel can include many of the same elements you would expect from a crematorium funeral, but on a smaller, more personal scale.

This can include:

🤍 A Celebrant or Minister to lead the service
🤍 A visual tribute / memorial photo montage
🤍 Beautiful floral tributes
🤍 Order of Service books
🤍 A dignified coffin and funeral service
🤍 Time to reflect, remember and say goodbye surrounded by those who matter most

The cremation can then take place separately as a direct cremation, meaning the family does not attend the crematorium. This allows you to have the funeral service where you feel most comfortable, without the time restrictions of a crematorium.

For example, a typical funeral consisting of:

• A service at Julie’s Chapel
• Direct cremation, with the family not attending the crematorium
• A Celebrant or Minister
• Visual tribute / memorial photo montage
• Medium coffin spray of flowers
• 25 Order of Service books

would typically cost around £2,000.

That is around half the cost of a funeral service taking place at our local crematorium, while still providing a meaningful, dignified and personal farewell.

For some families, Julie’s Chapel simply feels more personal. There is time to share memories, to laugh, to cry and to say goodbye without watching the clock.

We believe families should have choices when arranging a funeral, and our role is to help you find an option that feels right for you and your family.

If you would like to find out more about holding a service at Julie’s Chapel, please contact Shaun Thorpe Independent Funeral Directors. We are always happy to talk through the options with you, with no pressure and no obligation. 🤍

Shaun Thorpe Independent Funeral Directors
Providing care, guidance and choice when you need it most.

11/08/2026

Catholic Funeral Service or Requiem Mass — what’s the difference?

When arranging a Catholic funeral, families are sometimes unsure about the difference between a Catholic Funeral Service and a Requiem Mass. Both are meaningful ways of saying farewell and offering prayers for the deceased, but there are some important differences.

A Catholic Funeral Service is a funeral liturgy that can take place in a church, funeral home or another appropriate setting. It follows Catholic prayers and traditions, but does not include the celebration of Mass or the Eucharist.

A Requiem Mass, also known as a Funeral Mass, is celebrated in a Catholic church and includes the Eucharist. It is a central part of Catholic funeral tradition and follows the full structure of the Mass, alongside prayers for the deceased.

Both options can provide a deeply personal and respectful farewell, and the right choice will depend on the wishes of the deceased and their family, as well as their religious traditions.

Shaun has extensive experience working with the Catholic community in Halifax, helping families arrange both Catholic Funeral Services and Requiem Masses. Over the years, he has developed close working relationships with local Catholic churches and members of the clergy, allowing him to guide families through the arrangements with care, understanding and professionalism.

From liaising with the church and clergy to helping families understand their options, Shaun is there to make the process as straightforward as possible during what can be an incredibly difficult time.

If your family is arranging a Catholic funeral and you're unsure which service is right for you, Shaun is always happy to talk through the options and offer guidance without pressure.

Professional funeral care, with compassion, understanding and strong connections within our local community.

10/08/2026

Understanding the Cost of an Attended Funeral

At Shaun Thorpe Independent Funeral Directors, we believe that families should have clear and honest information about the cost of a funeral, especially at a time when there is already so much to think about.

An attended funeral service is where family and friends come together to attend a service for their loved one at the Crematorium/church/chapel/cemetery.

Our complete attended funeral package is £3,950 and includes:

🌿 All of our professional funeral director fees

🤍 Collection and care of your loved one

⚰️ An oak-effect coffin

🚘 Use of our motor hearse

💜 Fee for service and cremation at a local Crematorium (Parkwood or Huddersfield)

📖 A Celebrant or Minister to conduct the service

💐 A medium-sized coffin spray floral tribute

📖 25 service books for family and friends

£3,900 — a complete funeral package.

We understand that every person and every family is different. That is why all of our funerals are bespoke and arranged entirely around your wishes.

The package can be amended to suit your individual needs, preferences and circumstances. You may wish to add or remove certain elements, choose different options, or create something completely personal to your loved one.

Our role is to listen, guide and support you, while making sure you understand the choices available to you and the costs involved.

If you would like to discuss funeral arrangements, costs or simply have a question about what is involved, please don't hesitate to contact us. We are always happy to have a confidential, no-obligation conversation.

Shaun Thorpe Independent Funeral Directors
Independent, personal and here when you need us.

📞 01422 756187 (available 24/7)

Shaun has been serving Calderdale since 2021

Proudly local, independent & affordable.
Independent, qualified Funeral Directors serving Calderdale and surrounding areas.
Offering dignified funerals to suit all budgets.
Available by telephone 24/7