Ballard & Shortall Funeral Directors

I would certainly recommend Sarah and the team at Ballard & Shortall. They were extremely professional and sensitive whilst assisting in the planning of a recent family funeral.
Apr 19th, 2023

The best level of service we could have hoped for. Everyone involved was welcoming and understanding and I highly recommend. Thank you, Sarah, for your compassion and warmth during this experience.
Mar 18th, 2023

very attentive, kind and good service.
Feb 20th, 2023

My sisters dealt with Ballard & Shortall for all the arrangements of our father's funeral, so I personally had no contact with them until it was time to pick up our father's ashes. I was met by a lady named Sarah at the front desk. This is the first time I've ever lost anyone who I was incredibly close with so it was quite a surreal experience. We went into the back room to sign some paperwork and we got talking. She offered me a cup of tea but I politely declined as I hadn't planned on staying for long. I ended up staying for about 30 minutes! I honestly do not think there are any words I can say about her that would do her justice. Sarah is so lovely, kind, and very warm. She consoled me when I got upset, especially when I stated that I wasn't sure if I had actually started to grieve properly yet or that I may still be numb and I felt guilty for it, etc, and she gave me some wonderful insight on grief. She told me about her own grief and reassured me that we all process it differently. I didn't know this lady from Adam but yet there I was spewing my emotions and feelings because I felt that I could and was safe to do so. There was absolutely no judgement from her. Just a pure soul with a heart of gold. Before I left, she told me that I would be very welcome to come back at any time to simply just talk if I so wished. I truly did not expect this kind of reception when I walked in there. Naturally I did assume I'd be met with warmth and kindness, of course, but not like this. Sarah is the epitome of what I believe to be a pure, decent, and kind human being. If we had more people like her the world would be in a much better place. And this is only from a 30 minute encounter! Thank you, Sarah, with all my heart.
Mar 29th, 2023

In December my partner and I had a missed miscarriage at 13 weeks. The process that followed was not only emotionally traumatising but also deeply confusing. My partner had to have an operation and not only was getting ready for that extremely difficult during a time we were grieving, we were also asked to make a decision about what to do with the remains after. Its now law that you are given 3 options: 1) communal burial, 2) communal cremation or 3) private arrangements. We considered each of them carefully and felt initially worried about option 3 due to cost and complexity at a time we were overwhelmed. I messaged a bunch of funeral providers anyway and the response I got back from Sarah was perfect. It was really clear, compassionate and after an initial meeting we decided to go with Ballard & Shorthall. The service was provided to us as no cost, and we were given the full range of options as any other funeral - again, at no cost. Sarah guided us through the process in an empathetic and sensitive way - very human. Our ceremony was exactly as we wanted it, it was just my partner and I, and an immensely important part of our grieving process. Sarah was there on the day but in the background. Sarah and her colleagues went above and beyond to work with the hospital to collect our baby and then get our baby to the crematorium - keeping us updated every step of the way so that we didnt have to keep calling the hospital. Sarah offered us counselling support throughout - which weve not taken her up on, but appreciate nonetheless. Were sorry weve taken a while to write this - weve just needed the headspace to write the review. Thank you to Sarah and the whole team - the service you provided was invaluable and I hope this review gives someone else the confidence to use your service. All the best, and thanks again x
Mar 1st, 2023