Heart & Soul Funerals

18/04/2026

Join us! We're hosting an Open Afternoon, here at our beautiful premises in Buckfastleigh on Wed 6th May at 3pm.

As part of Dying Matters week, we're opening our doors for an afternoon tour and talk, we'll be providing refreshments too.

Everyone's welcome, we'd love to see you here. All free - book via our Eventbrite page here: https://tinyurl.com/34ekybmp

10/04/2026

Stop by our Totnes High Street window for a good read.
We're currently featuring our book, written by Jane Morrell and Simon Smith: 'We need to Talk About the Funeral:
101 ways to commemorate and celebrate a life'

With one idea per page, it's an easy read and can be dipped in and out of. It covers almost any question you might have about funerals; from ideas about ceremonies, attire and music to scattering ashes and what do when family members disagree.

It's a deeply supportive guide and also completely free - please let us know if you'd like a free copy and we'll arrange getting one to you. You can also read it online via the link below:
https://online.fliphtml5.com/inkvv/WNTTATF-ebook/ =10

08/04/2026

Enjoying a bit of floral drama here at Riverstone this morning. The bigger the better in our hall, we think! And some cheery bright brunnera to welcome all at the door. Looking forward to more spring blooms and brightness as this sun works its magic.

02/04/2026

When a person dies at home, and their death was expected, it is completely possible to keep them at home for hours, days and even longer after they've died.

Whilst this won't feel right for everyone and most funeral directors can come to provide support and care for the person with short notice, keeping a person at home is an option and a choice that we can support.

There is no rush nor urgency to do things quickly, if you prefer not to.

We can provide guidance and support for how to take care of someone at home. Call us on 01803 840 779 to find out more.

20/03/2026

Simple and beautiful. Our Riverstone hall is yours to use for ceremonies and gatherings, as you wish. We only ever hold one funeral a day so there's no sense of rush or time pressure when you're here.
Come take a look round the hall and meet our team - just drop us a line to let us know you're coming.

20/03/2026

Spring! At last. Beautiful blooms and blue skies are bringing a welcome spring to our Totnes steps.

10/03/2026

We’re so fortunate in the UK to be able to hold funerals, with the person who’s died present, in almost any location we choose. Of course, permission must be given, as needed, but many people are not aware that you can hold a ceremony or funeral service in your own home.

People choose a home funeral for many different, personal reasons and is more common than you might think. It’s also something we’re very proud to support families and friends to carry out.
Find our blog about home funerals here: https://www.heartandsoulfunerals.co.uk/funerals-at-home-2/

06/03/2026

We're celebrating the arrival of more choice for people in Scotland - water cremation (or alkaline hydrolosis) has been legalised. Already used as an alternative to cremation or burial in the US, Canada and some other countries for over a decade, this option has a significantly lower environmental footprint than cremation.
The first water cremations in Scotland are expected to take place in the summer of this year and whilst this option may not feel suitable for everyone, we look forward to it becoming a choice for people south of the border before too long.

The process - called alkaline hydrolysis - will offer families a third option instead of burial or traditional cremation.

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.