Kirsty Sailes Independent Funeral Directors

08/08/2026

It is always a privilege to assist other independent funeral directors in taking care of families at their time of need. Lilly’s passing is such a terrible tragedy, may she rest in peace ❤️

08/08/2026

I thought I’d share something personal today.
7 years ago I lost my dad, and 7 years ago today was his funeral.
Many of you know the importance of my dad to my funeral home, as he and I planned to do this together, only for him to die suddenly a couple of months later (which was quite annoying of him), so I do this now in his honour.
He used to say ‘when I die just take me in the van and burn me.’ No other real instructions, and what he really meant was he didn’t want a fuss and he just wanted to be taken to the local crematorium in his van…
And that’s exactly what we did. We jazzed up his van with a couple of his favourite sayings (apologies for the swear word!), and we took him in it to Croydon crematorium. The looks on the other mourner’s faces when we rounded the corner and they saw dad’s van leading the cortège instead of a hearse was priceless. It really did bring a smile to everyone’s faces on a day where perhaps people were not expecting to smile. He was a man who loved a laugh and I know he would have loved his grand entrance to his funeral.

I’m telling you this story because despite having years of funeral service already behind me when my dad passed away, this experience definitely helped to shape me into the funeral director I try to be now. I want the families that I serve to know that if they have an idea for their loved one’s funeral that they feel might be a little bit ‘out there’ or different that they can always tell me and I will absolutely do my very best to help make it a reality (as long as it is legal and safe! 😅)

Thank you to all of the families that have trusted me with their loved ones, your trust means everything to me, and thank you to all of the families that we will take care of in future.

Happy funeral-versary, dad ❤️

Kirsty
xo

05/08/2026

JOHN LINTON

Passed away peacefully at St David’s Hospice on 23rd July aged 77 years.

A much loved Husband, Dad and Brother.

Funeral service and cremation on Friday 21st August at 3:00pm at Gwent Crematorium.
Family flowers only, but donations can be made on the day in lieu of flowers to St David’s Hospice.
Family request bright colours to be worn to celebrate John’s life.

Funeral to be followed by refreshments at The Columba Club, 442 Corporation Road, Newport, NP19 0GN.

31/07/2026

Recent news from Hull has understandably raised concerns about the care and standards families should expect from a funeral director. We ourselves are shocked and saddened that this has happened to these families.

We are proud to be a National Society of Allied & Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) member and part of a community of independent funeral directors committed to professional and compassionate care.

We are regularly inspected and voluntarily regulated under the UK Funeral Director Code. Families also have access to an independent complaints process through SAIF, delivered by an externally audited and Chartered Trading Standards Institute-certified body.

We hope these safeguards offer added reassurance that families and their loved ones will be treated with care, dignity and respect.

What happened in Hull should never have been allowed to happen, and funeral homes should not be allowed to fly under the radar the way that Legacy did. We welcome government regulation as a profession, and look forward to a time where horrific incidents like this will never be able to occur again.

Ex-funeral director who failed to bury and cremate dozens of people sentenced to 20 years at Hull Crown Court, UK.

Follow live: https://bbc.in/4xdyvWz

25/07/2026

Summer often gives us the chance to slow down, spend time with loved ones and reflect on the memories that mean the most.
Planning ahead is another way to care for the people closest to you. Through our partnership with Westerleigh Funeral Plans, we're here to help you put your wishes in place, giving your family one less thing to think about in the future.

Call us on 01633 449072 or visit us to pick up a guide and arrange a call to discuss your options with Westerleigh Funeral Plans.

Kirsty Sailes Independent Funeral Directors is an introducer appointed representative of Westerleigh Funeral Plans (a trading style of Distinct Funeral Plans Limited) which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Financial Services Register No. 965289.

22/07/2026

Our fluffy greeter, Ferris, hard at work here this morning 🧡

11/07/2026

Today we celebrate serving the community of Newport for 4 years, and what a 4 years it has been! 🎩

Thank you so much to all of the families that have entrusted us with their loved ones so far, and thank you to all the families that will trust us in future. It truly means the world to us.
We will continue to be there for the people of Newport and surrounding areas when they need us the most ❤️

07/07/2026

We had some spare chairs left over after we had kitted out our new chapel, so when we saw an appeal on Facebook looking for some chairs for a local care home, we were happy to donate them 🙂 Thank you Darren Rice for all you do for the community.

04/07/2026

I feel very lucky to be nominated for Funeral Director of the year at this year’s Good Funeral Awards 🫶🏻

Thank you so much for the nomination, and if anyone else feels like they might like to nominate me to potentially push me through to the final, I’d be very honoured.

Link for the nomination form below 🙂

https://www.agfdgoodfuneralawards.co.uk/2026-nomination-forms

Thank you ❤️

Love,
Kirsty
xo