Heart & Soul Funerals

27/02/2026

We love hearing the comments and feedback from passers by as they engage with our Totnes shop window. This month we're looking at 'Change and Renewal'. We're celebrating the Uplift and transformation of our High Street neighbour, St Mary's Totnes, as well as the teachings of Earth Wisdom Teachings. The recent re-opening ceremony at St Mary's aptly focused on Unity in Diversity; this unique, 500 year old church remains open and welcoming to all.

25/02/2026

Join us tomorrow evening, Thurs 26th Feb, for our monthly 'Dying Conversations' death cafe, at Moor Imagination Collective at 6.30pm. This is an opportunity to have a relaxed and informal conversation about all things related to death, dying, funerals and end of life. There's no fixed agenda as such, we'll go where the conversation flows.
Come along to listen, share, ask questions - all over a cuppa and in a supportive environment.
We'll be in the Moor Imagination Centre Cafe at from 6.30pm until 8pm.

Join us for an informal conversation about all things death related - ask questions, listen and share - with an excellent cup of tea.

25/02/2026

Coffins, increasingly, come in wonderful colours, designs and are made from a variety of materials. Despite this, if you can't find a coffin that looks exactly how you'd like it to, you can always design and paint your own - cardboard coffins lend themselves very well to this.
With many thanks to the family for giving us permission to share their beautiful artwork here.

20/02/2026

Our friends at The Good Grief Project have launched a new programme focusing on mental health, physical fitness and self-care: Grief Fit

"We love the idea of peer to peer support and although Grief-Fit is a remote fitness programme we’ve found it fosters an amazing sense of community with others similarly bereaved and with a similar need to address their grief pro-actively. Grief-Fit aims to offer a compassionate and trusting space to express and share your grief with other bereaved parents and siblings."

This 9 week course starts on 15th March - you can find out more and sign up via their website:
https://thegoodgriefproject.co.uk/grief-fit/

An online fitness programme to promote physical and mental wellbeing, and to help you navigate your grief in a supportive community. Find out more.

18/02/2026

Some great news! Heart And Soul Funerals is proud to be the sponsor and funder of the new MIC Film Club at Moor Imagination in Buckfastleigh, with Jane and Simon being the main organisers. The first film shown was ‘I Swear’, about John Davidson who, after many difficult episodes in his life, was awarded the MBE for his services to Tourette’s Syndrome. It was a huge success with around 30 people attending.
The film club will continue on the third Sunday of each month with a summer break (June, July, August). The intention is to show films with ‘heart and soul’, which say something about being human as well as entertaining. If you would like to know about forthcoming films please join the MIC mailing list / newsletter by completing the form at https://www.moorimagination.org/contact-us-at-mic
We look forward to seeing you at the next one, on Sunday 22nd March, 6pm.

https://www.moorimagination.org/whats-on -dca3079a-1f66-4bfa-9b1b-cb8a3a3e5f13-event-03c06a3d-08ed-51c0-89e9-f6cf63895754

How to find us and get in touch with MIC, the Moor Imagination Centre. Map, directions, access and parking information, plus an online form to send us a message.

11/02/2026

The sun has momentarily popped its head out over Riverstone - what wonderful respite from the rain! We're thinking of everyone who's been so severely affected by this year's weather and the flooding 💚. Looking forward to more sun and the slow bursting of buds and colour as we pass by Imbolc and February moves onwards.

21/01/2026

Dying Conversations – ‘Advanced Decisions’

End of life is still not talked about very much. At the MIC Centre in Buckfastleigh there’s a monthly meeting for anyone who would like to discuss this broad subject, ask questions you have always wanted to ask and explore the subject and how you feel about it.
An ‘Advanced Decision’ document (sometimes known as a ‘Living Will’) sets out how you would like to be treated and what treatment you would choose to have in the event of no longer being able to make your own decisions, as a result of accident, illness or mental capacity. The most common part of this is about whether to be resuscitated under certain circumstances but it also looks at other issues.

Our January meeting will look at this topic in detail, so that you can write your own ‘Advanced Decisions’ document.

The meeting is on Thursday 29th January from 6.30-8.30pm at the MIC Centre, Chapel Street, Buckfastleigh.

It’s an open drop-in group, so do come along. No charge except a donation for tea, coffee and biscuits.

Enquiries Simon Smith, Heart & Soul Funerals, Buckfastleigh. 01364 643522 hello@heartandsoulfunerals.co.uk

14/01/2026

For some, simplicity is key. A direct cremation separates the cremation from a ceremony. This is an unattended funeral, perfect for those who may wish to hold a memorial or gathering at another time.
We will meet with you in person and look after the person who’s died at our beautiful premises here at Riverstone.
Call us for more information and to find out how we can support you: 01803 840779

09/01/2026

Riverstone Simple Funeral - £2,695 fixed fee.

If you're looking for something simple, this option enables you to create a personal funeral in a beautiful setting. A Riverstone Simple Funeral is held in our hall at Riverstone in Buckfastleigh on a mutually convenient date for you and us. A simple service will be led by our celebrant, with contributions from family or friends who provide the eulogy, or tributes. See the full details and how this works on our website, or call us to find out more: 01364 643522

https://www.heartandsoulfunerals.co.uk/funeral-costs/

07/01/2026

A beautiful, short documentary featuring the work of Nickie Aven and the Threshold Choir as they support and accompany people in the later stages of their lives. You'll spot our very own Paul too, filmed whilst giving a talk in Totnes last summer. Enjoy the beautiful sounds, songs and deeply moving accounts from the Threshold Choir members and those they support.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/video/2025/dec/12/threshold-the-choir-who-sing-to-the-dying-documentary?fbclid=IwY2xjawPJGWtleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeGmApfizlUNkwaYGrArgZ7nSXy5ePkhYTj4n1s4H3779m5OO6ZmVXYf9qj4A_aem_PpW4IQZkGE2_HgTZ8Shubw

Dying is a process and in a person’s final hours and days, Nickie and her Threshold Choir are there to accompany people on their way and bring comfort. Through specially composed songs, akin to lullabies, the choir cultivates an environment of love and safety around those on their deathbed.

16/12/2025

As we become increasingly surrounded by festive cheer, it's important to remember that if you're coping with loss, Christmas doesn't have to follow the usual traditions. It can be really daunting, facing celebrating the festive season, regardless of whether you're recently bereaved or the person died some years go. The team at Cruse Bereavement Support have compiled this excellent guide for coping with grief over Christmas: https://shorturl.at/aNlut

10/12/2025

Join the Heart and Soul Team!
We’re looking for some excellent people to join us in the roles of On Call support and Funeral Attendant. You can combine both roles or consider just one of them. Full details are on our website here: https://www.heartandsoulfunerals.co.uk/recruiting/

Please get in touch if you’re interested, we have no deadline for applications and will close the roles once filled.