W.S. BRISTER & SON LTD
WHEN YOUR FAMILY SUFFERS THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE, WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT, GUIDE AND REASSURE YOU – EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.
For over fifty years, we have been serving Sherborne and the surrounding towns and villages. With our small, dedicated team, we provide a level of personal and dignified care that exceeds expectations.
Please feel free to contact Teresa or Daniel with any queries.
Tel: 01935 812647
We are here for you.
What to do when someone dies
When a death occurs, please contact us as soon as possible.
A member of our staff is always available to answer your questions and help begin making the necessary arrangements.
If someone passes away in hospital, it’s not always necessary for us to attend immediately. However, our team is here to offer reassurance and guidance whenever you need it.
Bereavement
You Are Not Alone
When you lose someone you love, grief can feel all-consuming.
Everyone experiences loss differently, and your reactions will be unique to you.
It may help to talk with someone outside your immediate family, or with someone who has been through a similar experience.
When you’re grieving, it’s normal to feel disbelief, numbness, anger, physical and emotional pain, guilt, depression, or regret. Some people also experience visions or sensations of seeing or hearing the person who has died, which can be both distressing and comforting.
The old saying “time heals” is true—but the reality is that grief takes a different course for each of us, and sometimes we all need a little help.
You might find it helpful to talk to religious ministers, hospital chaplains, or people from organisations who support those who are bereaved. The following resources are available to help:
Cruse Bereavement Care
Helps bereaved people understand their grief and cope with loss. Services are free and include support, information, advice, education, and training.
📞 Day by Day Helpline: 08444 779400
✉️ Email: helpline@cruse.org.uk
🌐 www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk
The Samaritans
Offers confidential, non-judgemental emotional support 24 hours a day for people experiencing distress or despair.
📞 Telephone: 08457 909090
✉️ Email: jo@samaritans.org
🌐 www.samaritans.org
Child Bereavement
Charity
Provides specialised support, information, and training for anyone affected when a baby or child dies, or when a child is bereaved.
📞 Telephone: 01494 446648
🌐 www.childbereavement.org.uk
The British Humanist Association
Supports and represents people who seek to live good lives without religious or superstitious beliefs.
📞 Telephone: 0207 079 3580
🌐 www.humanism.org.uk
Mosaic
Offers support to bereaved children, young people, parents, and carers.
📞 Telephone: 01258 837071
✉️ Email: info@mosaicfamilysupport.org
🌐 www.mosaicfamilysupport.org.uk
About Us
Situated in the historic Abbey town of Sherborne, we feel honoured to provide compassionate care to families across Dorset, Somerset, and the surrounding regions.
When your family suffers the loss of a loved one, we are here to support, guide, and reassure you — every step of the way.
HOW WE MANAGE DONATIONS AT FUNERALS
These days, many funeral notices state “family flowers only” and invite charitable donations instead. For many families, raising funds for a cause close to their loved one’s heart brings comfort and meaning.
Traditionally, funeral directors handled donations by collecting cash or cheques, banking the funds, and passing them on to the chosen charities. However, this process involves significant time and administration, as well as potential risks like loss, errors, or disputes.
With funeral costs rising, it’s important to avoid unnecessary expenses. Thankfully, modern technology offers simpler, safer ways to manage donations.
Online donation platforms, such as JustGiving, have become the norm. As part of our full-service funerals, we create a personalised online tribute page for each family. If you wish to collect donations for one or more charities, we guide you step by step in setting up an “in memory” fundraising page. We can also include the donation link in the printed Order of Service, so donations can continue after the funeral.
Online giving also makes it easy to add Gift Aid, increasing donations to charities by 25%.
We understand that not everyone is comfortable donating online. For those who prefer to give cash or cheques, we can provide a portable, sealable donation box for the funeral or wake. Families can then personally thank donors and arrange for the funds to be sent to the chosen charity.
It’s worth noting that over 80% of funerals are now cremations. Crematoriums often have limited space and tight schedules, making collections difficult. In these cases, donations usually take place at the reception venue, which funeral directors do not typically attend. Therefore, we encourage families to manage any physical donations directly.
Moving to online donations benefits everyone. It reduces administrative costs for funeral directors, helping us keep our fees lower for families. Above all, it offers transparency, security, and convenience for honouring your loved one’s memory.
As a progressive funeral director, we fully support this modern, efficient approach to managing charitable donations.
How to Set Up a Free “In Memory” Fundraising Page
You can use JustGiving to create a special online page in memory of your loved one. This allows family and friends to donate easily to your chosen charity, often in place of sending funeral flowers.
Here’s how to set up your page step by step:
Step 1: Get Started
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Visit justgiving.com
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Click Start fundraising
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Select A charity
Step 2: Log In or Create an Account
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If you already have a JustGiving account, log in.
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If not, you’ll need to create one using your email and password, or log in with Facebook.
Step 3: Set Up Your Page
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Search for and select the charity you wish to support.
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When asked What are you doing? choose Remembering Someone.
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Complete the form, including choosing a unique fundraising web address.
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For the Gift Aid question, select Yes if eligible.
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Click Create your page when finished.
Step 4: Personalise Your Page
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Upload a cover photo.
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Add a headline (e.g. In Memory of [Name])
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Set a fundraising goal (optional).
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Write a few words in the Tell your story section to share your loved one’s memory and why you’ve chosen the charity.
Step 5: Share Your Page
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Copy the web link (URL) from your browser’s address bar.
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Share this link with friends and family to invite donations.
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If we at W.S. Brister & Son Ltd are creating an online funeral notice for you, please send us this link so we can include it on the notice page.
Additional Tips
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If you’ve received cash or cheque donations, you can add them to your total on JustGiving using the Raised offlinefeature. Learn how here.
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To delete a JustGiving page, go to Edit page > Page Settings > Cancel your page.
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For more help, see Raising money in memory of a loved one.
How Funerals Can Cost Less
A recent ITV Tonight programme, Funerals: The True Cost, highlighted the challenges families can face when planning a funeral. Over the past decade, funeral costs have risen significantly — enough to prompt an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority, particularly into the influence of large corporate providers.
But cost isn’t the only issue.
Families are often presented with rigid funeral packages that assume you’ll want a traditional hearse, a formal procession, and multiple limousines.
The reality is: you have more choices than you might think.
Tradition or Simplicity — It’s Your Choice
We’re experienced in arranging traditional funerals for families who find comfort in familiar rituals. But increasingly, many people prefer a simpler, more personal, and less formal approach.
For example:
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You don’t have to have a hearse or pallbearers. We often use our discreet hearsette and place the coffin in the chapel before the family arrives.
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Flowers don’t have to be large coffin sprays. A bespoke bouquet can be just as beautiful—and can be taken home to enjoy afterward.
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You don’t have to hire limousines. Many families choose to drive themselves or hire local executive cars if needed.
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Services don’t have to be led by professionals. Some families choose to conduct the ceremony themselves, creating a deeply personal tribute. Alternatively, a celebrant or minister can guide and support you in shaping the service.
A Meaningful Funeral Doesn’t Have to Cost a Fortune
Families we help are often pleasantly surprised at how a meaningful and elegant funeral can be arranged for far less than they expected. As an independent funeral director, our starting point is always what feels right for you and your family.
If you’re facing the difficult task of planning a funeral, please don’t hesitate to call us on 01935 812647. We’re here to help guide you through your options.
