About UsThe business was established in 1961, when business partners Derek Crosby and William Eaves began trading as joiners and undertakers 'Crosby & Eaves' from premises at Flatt Walks, Whitehaven. They moved the business to its current location on High Road, Kells, Whitehaven in 1970.
After Derek passed away in 1974, William continued to build the business, aided by his wife, Margaret, his father William Snr, then later by William's brother Richard. William's son Philip joined in 1992, followed by his son-in-law Mike in 2007, then his daughter Julia in 2008. Mike, Philip and Julia now run the business, aided by Assistant Graham Hodgson and Funeral Director Michael Branney. |
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What to doWhen you experience a bereavement, it is difficult to know what to do first - follow our guide here.
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Our ServicesTo see a full list of the services we can provide and assist with, please see our guide here.
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CoffinsWe offer a comprehensive range of coffins, suitable for all funeral types. See our selection here.
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Useful InfoFor links to local services and registrars, as well as helpful organisations etc., see our guide here.
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What to do
When someone dies, whether it is expected or not, it can be a difficult and distressing time and many do not know who to turn to first. Here are some general guidelines of what you should do, and who to contact:
When someone dies in hospital.
If a death occurs in hospital, the hospital staff will inform the next of kin (usually named by the deceased, this may but may not be a relative). The hospital staff will also advise if the doctor who has been treating the deceased is able to issue the medical certificate, and when this would be available to collect (the medical certificate is required to register the death). If the doctor is unable to issue the certificate, the death will be reported to the coroner, who may order a post mortem examination in order to determine the cause of death. The funeral director may now be appointed, and will take care of removing the deceased from hospital.
When someone dies at home, or in a nursing home.
If the death is expected, the doctor who has been treating the deceased should be contacted in the first instance. If the death was in a nursing home, the staff will inform the doctor. Once the doctor has certified the death, the funeral director may be appointed to remove the deceased to the funeral parlour. Once again, the doctor will issue the medical certificate, either straight away, or may arrange for this to be collected from their surgery. As above, the medical certificate will be required to register the death.
When someone dies suddenly.
If the death is sudden and / or unexpected, the family doctor should be contacted. If the doctor is not known, family members and the police may be contacted for their help. If it is suspected that the death was not due to natural causes, it is important that the deceased and the room contents are not moved as the coroner is likely to be involved. It is usually the case that when the coroner is involved, their contracted undertakers will be summoned to remove the deceased to hospital. The funeral director of choice can then be appointed and will deal with the removal of the deceased from the hospital, usually following a post mortem examination.
When the coroner is involved.
The coroner is usually informed when a doctor is unable to determine the cause of death, and thus will be unable to issue the medical certificate. When the deceased has not be seen or treated by a doctor within the last 14 days, the death must be reported to the coroner. It is the duty of the coroner to determine the cause of death, which will normally mean that a post mortem is ordered. The coroner is likely to be involved when:
For more information on the coroner's procedure and inquests, please contact us.
We will give you full guidance on how to register the death.
When someone dies in hospital.
If a death occurs in hospital, the hospital staff will inform the next of kin (usually named by the deceased, this may but may not be a relative). The hospital staff will also advise if the doctor who has been treating the deceased is able to issue the medical certificate, and when this would be available to collect (the medical certificate is required to register the death). If the doctor is unable to issue the certificate, the death will be reported to the coroner, who may order a post mortem examination in order to determine the cause of death. The funeral director may now be appointed, and will take care of removing the deceased from hospital.
When someone dies at home, or in a nursing home.
If the death is expected, the doctor who has been treating the deceased should be contacted in the first instance. If the death was in a nursing home, the staff will inform the doctor. Once the doctor has certified the death, the funeral director may be appointed to remove the deceased to the funeral parlour. Once again, the doctor will issue the medical certificate, either straight away, or may arrange for this to be collected from their surgery. As above, the medical certificate will be required to register the death.
When someone dies suddenly.
If the death is sudden and / or unexpected, the family doctor should be contacted. If the doctor is not known, family members and the police may be contacted for their help. If it is suspected that the death was not due to natural causes, it is important that the deceased and the room contents are not moved as the coroner is likely to be involved. It is usually the case that when the coroner is involved, their contracted undertakers will be summoned to remove the deceased to hospital. The funeral director of choice can then be appointed and will deal with the removal of the deceased from the hospital, usually following a post mortem examination.
When the coroner is involved.
The coroner is usually informed when a doctor is unable to determine the cause of death, and thus will be unable to issue the medical certificate. When the deceased has not be seen or treated by a doctor within the last 14 days, the death must be reported to the coroner. It is the duty of the coroner to determine the cause of death, which will normally mean that a post mortem is ordered. The coroner is likely to be involved when:
- the death is sudden or unexpected;
- is a result of an accident;
- the cause of death is unknown;
- the death is due to an industrial disease.
For more information on the coroner's procedure and inquests, please contact us.
We will give you full guidance on how to register the death.
Our services
We understand that every funeral is different, and pride ourselves on fulfilling the wishes of the family and the deceased to every last detail. Our aim is to make what is a difficult and upsetting process as easy as possible by taking care of everything for you. Listed below are the services we offer:
We are, of course, flexible with arrangements and are able to adapt to all requirements. If you have a query relating to services we offer, or if an item you require is not listed above, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss this with you.
In addition to the above, we also help with arrangements after the funeral for the following:
- 24-hour call-out service, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
- Sympathetic personal service by fully trained staff.
- Complete guidance and advice on making funeral arrangements.
- Transfer of the deceased in the UK for preparation and care in our funeral parlour.
- Liaisons with churches, clergy, celebrants, cemeteries, crematoria, hospitals and coroners if necessary.
- Advice on registering the death, documentation & probate etc.
- Wide range of traditional coffins, as well as environmentally friendly coffins, including fixtures and fittings.
- Arrangement of press notices.
- Arrangement of floral tributes.
- Printing of service sheets.
- Arrangement of tea / refreshments following the funeral.
- Handling of donations and liaising with relevant charity / charities.
- Supply of modern hearse and limousines.
- Coffin bearers, if required.
We are, of course, flexible with arrangements and are able to adapt to all requirements. If you have a query relating to services we offer, or if an item you require is not listed above, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss this with you.
In addition to the above, we also help with arrangements after the funeral for the following:
- Burial / scattering / disposal of cremated remains or 'ashes'.
- Placing 'acknowledgment' or 'thanks for sympathy' notices in local press.
- Advice and arrangement of pre-paid funeral plans.
Coffins
We offer a wide range of coffins and caskets for burials and cremations, from simple coffins to ornate caskets.
We are also able to provide cardboard and wicker / bamboo / seagrass coffins, please contact us for details. We also supply urns, caskets, ash boxes and scatter tubes for the retention / burial / scattering of ashes.
Each of our traditional coffins are finished to a high standard with brass effect furniture and name plate. Alternative fittings are a nickel finish or wood. If you wish, you may provide an outfit for the deceased to be dressed in, alternatively we have a selection of dressing robes.
The following images show the coffin styles we offer, however the furnishings may differ slightly from those illustrated. We are also able to meet any special requirements you have for a coffin, please contact us to discuss these options. Special order coffins are normally available at 48 hours notice.
We are also able to provide cardboard and wicker / bamboo / seagrass coffins, please contact us for details. We also supply urns, caskets, ash boxes and scatter tubes for the retention / burial / scattering of ashes.
Each of our traditional coffins are finished to a high standard with brass effect furniture and name plate. Alternative fittings are a nickel finish or wood. If you wish, you may provide an outfit for the deceased to be dressed in, alternatively we have a selection of dressing robes.
The following images show the coffin styles we offer, however the furnishings may differ slightly from those illustrated. We are also able to meet any special requirements you have for a coffin, please contact us to discuss these options. Special order coffins are normally available at 48 hours notice.
Useful info.
These links may be useful to you for further information:
Cumbria County Council
This link provides information about local registrar's offices, their locations, telephone numbers and opening hours.
Directgov
This link provides information about probate - what it is and how to obtain a grant of probate. There are further links on this page relating to obtaining help with funeral costs and claiming for bereavement payments.
NAFD
The National Association of Funeral Directors is the country's leading funeral trade association, of which we are members. Their website gives full and detailed information on the funeral process from beginning to end. The site has a number of useful links which may be of some help.
SAIF
SAIF, like the NAFD, is a trade organisation of Funeral Directors. Their site provides useful information, details of codes of practice, complaints procedures, as well as detailed guides of the funeral process.
The Bereavement Register
The Bereavement Register is a very handy website where you can remove the details of the deceased from mailing lists and databases. This free service enables you to stop unwanted junk mail and sales calls.
Cruse Bereavement Care
Cruse Bereavement Care is a charitable organisation that exists to promote the well-being of bereaved people and to enable anyone bereaved by death to understand their grief and cope with their loss. The organisation provides support and offers information, advice, education and training services.
Counselling Directory
Provides a searchable network of professional counsellors or psychotherapists, for those who are in need of support.
Headstone Guide
A not-for-profit website offering guidance on choosing purchasing headstones.
Funeral Costs Help
A not-for-profit website offering guidance on costs involved in planning a funeral.
Please note: all places of worship, venues, businesses etc are are listed alphabetically.
Churches / Places of Worship:
St. Andrew's Church Mirehouse, Whitehaven - Church of England. 01946 693565.
St. Bees Priory St. Bees, Nr. Whitehaven - Church of England. 01946 822279.
St. Begh's Priory Church Whitehaven - Roman Catholic. 01946 692342.
St. Benedict's Church Mirehouse, Whitehaven - Roman Catholic. 01946 692083.
St. Bridget's Church Moresby, Whitehaven - Church of England. 01946 693970.
Christian Brethren Church Whitehaven - Christian Brethren. 01946 63893.
Elim Church Whitehaven - Pentecostal. 01946 695118.
St. James' Church Whitehaven - Church of England. 01946 696932 / 599485.
St. John's Church Hensingham, Whitehaven - Church of England. 01946 692822.
St. Mary's Church Kells, Whitehaven - Roman Catholic. 01946 692757.
New Life Christian Centre Whitehaven - New Life Christian. 01946 66556.
St. Peter's Church Kells, Whitehaven - Church of England. 01946 693933.
Salvation Army Whitehaven - Salvation Army. 01946 692883.
United Reformed Church Whitehaven - United Reformed. 01946 693733.
Whitehaven Methodist Circuit Various locations - Methodist. 01946 810428 / 822380.
Woodbank Church Whitehaven - Evangelical Church. 07835 901589.
Independent Celebrants
Anne Avison - 01461 800642 / 07957762837
Maggie Burnell - 01946 862798 / 07810313939
Helen Parsons - 01946 748441 / 07879688060
Will Tillotson - 07482424499
Benet Waterman - 01228 675632 / 07986939382
Humanist Celebrants
Richard Watson - 01900 826635 / 07717025256
Crematoria & Cemeteries:
Allerdale Cemeteries Workington. Tel. 01900 702620.
Carlisle Cemetery Carlisle. Tel. 01228 625310.
Carlisle Crematorium Carlisle. Tel. 01228 625310.
Distington Hall Crematorium Distington, Workington. Tel. 01946 830561.
Egremont Cemetery Egremont. Tel. 01946 820254.
Whitehaven & Copeland Cemeteries Whitehaven. Tel. 01946 692329.
Florists:
Fearon Flowers Workington. Tel. 01900 604645.
The Flower Basket Whitehaven. Tel. 01946 693974.
Flowers 'n' Foliage Whitehaven. Tel. 01946 66223.
Inspirations Workington. Tel. 01900 61731.
Jar of Hearts Cleator Moor. Tel. 815765.
Jean's Flowers Boutique Whitehaven. Tel. 01946 693919.
Jenkinson's Egremont. Tel. 01946 820413.
Perfectly Planted Gosforth. Tel. 019467 25473.
Rosebudz Whitehaven. Tel. 01946 63011.
Stonemasons:
Clive Hasley Monumental Mason, Whitehaven. Tel. 01946 66202.
Robertson Memorials Whitehaven. Tel. 01946 692565.
Funeral Tea Venues / Caterers:
Banks Wilson Catering Whitehaven. Tel. 01946 599533.
The Chase Hotel Whitehaven. Tel. 01946 693656.
The Ennerdale Country House Hotel Cleator. Tel. 0843 178 7151.
The Grove Court Hotel Cleator. Tel. 01946 8105103.
The Hunday Manor Hotel Workington. Tel. 01900 61798.
The Howgate Nr. Whitehaven. Tel. 08701 977 268.
The Melbreak Hotel Nr. Workington. Tel. 01900 61443.
Moresby Hall Whitehaven. Tel. 01946 696317.
Summergrove Halls Whitehaven. Tel. 01946 813328
The Sunny Hill, Whitehaven. Tel. 01946 694753.
The Waterfront Whitehaven. Tel. 01946 328184.
The Waverley Hotel Whitehaven. Tel. 01946 694337.
Whitehaven Golf Club Whitehaven. Tel. 01946 591144.