Vail Funeral Services

10/12/2025

Our Christmas Bauble Giveaway Is Nearly Gone!

We’ve been blown away by how popular our free bauble giveaway has been, thank you all so much! We now only have a few remaining, so if you’d like to reserve one (with engraving in time for Christmas), please get in touch as soon as possible.

You can reach us on 01353
363614 or
Email: sara@vailfuneralservices.co.uk.
Boundary Farm, Sutton Road, Witchford,

09/12/2025

Unattended funerals

Unattended/Direct cremation is becoming an increasingly popular choice, giving families the freedom to celebrate a loved one’s life in their own personal way. It is often thought that this service is only available through large, heavily advertised companies, but your local independent funeral director can provide the same service, with the added reassurance that your loved one remains close by and receives truly personal care.
There is also comfort in meeting the person who will be looking after your loved one.
At Vail Funeral Services, we believe that choosing a direct cremation should never mean losing the opportunity to say goodbye. Unlike many providers, we offer and welcome chapel visits, giving families the opportunity to say their goodbyes in a private and meaningful way.

If you need support, we’re just a phone call away day or night.
You can reach us 24/7 on 01353 363614

Email: sara@vailfuneralservices.co.uk.

Boundary Farm, Sutton Road, Witchford, CB6 2HX

05/12/2025

Have you ever paused to wonder what truly happens behind the scenes at a crematorium?
Today we had the privilege of arranging a private visit to Fenland Crematorium for a family who wanted to know what goes on behind the scenes. Even as a funeral director, I must admit I had never fully explored the grounds myself, and I was genuinely struck by their tranquillity. The gardens were beautifully maintained, peaceful, and thoughtfully tended, creating a setting that feels both dignified and comforting.
Dena welcomed us with warmth and guided us on a gentle walk through the grounds before Stanton provided an in-depth tour of the chapel and the behind-the-scenes areas. Our visitors were fully engaged, asking thoughtful questions, including how the entire process works from the service itself right through to the final presentation of the cremated remains.
Stanton explained how each step is carried out with great care, respect, and traceability, something that offered the family considerable reassurance. They were shown how the music system is operated, how the process is monitored, and how the cremated remains are carefully collected, cooled, prepared and placed into their chosen container with complete dignity. Understanding this helped bring them a genuine sense of peace.
It may surprise many to learn that such visits are available, and we cannot recommend them highly enough. If you feel that a tour might bring comfort, clarity or simply a better understanding of what takes place, please do contact Vail Funeral Services, and we will be more than happy to arrange and accompany you.

If you need support, we're just a phone call away day or night.
You can reach us 24/7 on 01353
363614
Email: sara@vailfuneralservices.co.uk.
Boundary Farm, Sutton Road, Witchford,

02/12/2025

Sara at Vail Funeral Services has been an absolute godsend throughout this difficult period for my family. We lost my father in March, and my mum's Alzheimer's has been rapidly progressing, making the whole process of grieving and funeral additionally challenging. We needed a funeral director willing to be adaptable and supportive, keeping the process moving without pushing my mum too fast and Sara was all of these things in abundance! She guided us through the process of arranging the funeral, and worked with my Mum in decision making without rushing her. Sara also had an abundance of patience with the challenges of myself and multiple siblings trying to coordinate and changing circumstances. The service itself was beautiful and went smoothly, providing a dignified exit for my father. I cannot recommend Sara more highly should you be in the unfortunate position of losing a loved one. She is professional and courteous, while also very friendly and kind.

If you need support, we're just a phone call away day or night.
You can reach us 24/7 on 01353
363614
Email: sara@vailfuneralservices.co.uk.
Boundary Farm, Sutton Road, Witchford,

01/12/2025

24/11/2025

It’s the little things that truly make a difference…

We’ve been busy this weekend carefully engraving personalised baubles for the families who have entrusted us with their loved ones this year. It’s a small gesture, but one that comes from the heart. At Vail Funeral Services, we believe in giving back and taking a moment to remember those who are no longer with us.
Christmas can be an especially difficult and emotional time, particularly for families who have experienced a recent loss. While we create these baubles in memory of your loved ones, we’re also thinking of our own families and the challenges this season can bring.
If you would like a bauble made in memory of someone special, whether or not you have used our services we would be honoured to create one for you. Please email the address below

If you need support, we're just a phone call away day or night.
You can reach us 24/7 on 01353
363614
Email: sara@vailfuneralservices.co.uk.
Boundary Farm, Sutton Road, Witchford,

21/11/2025

With heavy hearts the family of the late Anthony Lloyd Maskell ask us to announce his funeral arrangements.

MASKELL Anthony Lloyd
Passed away on 20th November 2025, aged 85 years. A devoted dad to Julie and Philip, and a much-loved grandad. A funeral service will take place at Fenland Crematorium, March, on 9th December 2025 at 10:30am.
All flowers are welcome. Donations, if desired, to Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust may be left on the day or sent c/o Vail Funeral Services, Boundary Farm, Sutton Road, Witchford, CB6 2HX.
No formal attire required - please wear whatever feels right.

20/11/2025

We’re inviting children to design the front cover of our Christmas song booklet, featuring Rocking Around the Christmas Tree!
Remember to include your name and contact details on the back of your design.
The winning design will appear as the official cover of our booklet and will be credited inside. A prize will be awarded to the winner at the event

We’re excited to see all the wonderful Christmas artwork!

17/11/2025

I’d like to share a sincere thank you to a family Vail Funeral Services recently supported, who have kindly allowed us to post a few photographs from their loved one’s funeral. They had arranged for a photographer to capture the day, and it was clear how much those gentle, thoughtful images meant to them.
Not everyone chooses to have photographs taken, but for some families it can be a comforting way to remember the love, support and togetherness that surrounded them. Sometimes the small details of the day become precious memories.
If this is ever something you feel might help you or your family, please know the option is always there. You’re welcome to arrange it yourselves, or we can happily put you in touch with someone who offers this kind of sensitive, respectful photography.

If you need support, we’re just a phone call away, day or night.
You can reach us 24/7 on 01353 363614
Email: sara@vailfuneralservices.co.uk
Boundary Farm, Sutton Road, Witchford,
CB6 2HX

15/11/2025

Recharging in Iceland

In our line of work, we spend so much time supporting others that it’s easy to forget the importance of looking after ourselves. Even as funeral directors, we’re not immune to the weight of it all. Sometimes, stepping away for a moment isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.
So Imogen and I have taken a short trip to Iceland, while Justin kindly holds the fort at home and continues looking after the families in our care. It’s strange how simply changing your surroundings can bring a sense of calm you didn’t realise you were missing.
While we’ve been here, we visited a local graveyard and a couple of beautiful churches. The stillness of Iceland seems to settle over everything even the stones feel as though they’re held in the quiet. Two headstones in particular caught my eye. One was worn and softened by time, its inscription almost lost but still carrying the unmistakable dignity of a life once lived. The other was strikingly modern, simple yet deeply thoughtful in its design, a reminder that remembrance takes many forms.
Both, in their own ways, spoke of love, legacy, and the gentle truth that every story is precious.
Travelling here has been a small act of recharging the batteries, a chance to breathe, reflect, and return home with renewed strength for the people who need us. Iceland has a way of reminding you of the beauty in pause, in the quiet moments where you simply stand still and let the world settle around you.
Sometimes, that’s all any of us really need.

If you need support, we're just a phone call away day or night.
You can reach us 24/7 on 01353
363614
Email: sara@vailfuneralservices.co.uk.
Boundary Farm, Sutton Road, Witchford,
CB6 2HX

07/11/2025

It was a real privilege for us at Vail Funeral Services to help this wonderful family celebrate the final journey of their loved one’s life. From an early age, he was known for his quick wit and playful sense of humour, a true practical joker. Later in life, he dedicated 30 years to the police force, serving his community with pride and integrity.
His daughter’s tribute gave everyone a beautiful insight into his life’s journey filled with laughter, dedication, and love. His grandchildren joined in with touching readings, and his son also shared his own heartfelt words. The service truly reflected the closeness of the family and the warmth that surrounded him.
Forget-me-knot pin badges were thoughtfully provided for everyone to wear, and the order of service, lovingly designed by his daughter, added a personal and memorable touch. His coffin was draped with his police ceremonial cloth, proudly displaying the crest, area badge, and police helmet, while the floral tributes perfectly complemented the theme and colours chosen by the family.
Family involvement was at the heart of the day, from his young granddaughter reciting a poem so beautifully, to family members helping to lower the coffin with care and dignity. These small yet powerful moments made the service deeply personal and truly unique.
It was a privilege to support such a devoted family in creating a farewell filled with love, pride, and laughter a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much to both his family and his community.

27/10/2025

The silence is the loudest thing.
It fills every room, every corner of my mind,
a constant echo of laughter that isn't there anymore.
They say time heals,
but what it really does is teach you how to carry the impossible.
My heart carries a piece of you always, a beautiful, painful weight.
Every sunrise is a reminder of a future that vanished,
yet every memory is a gift I hold tighter than anything.
You were here, you lived,
you were loved beyond measure.
And in that love,
you remain, forever a part of me.

Author unknown

If you need support, we're just a phone call away day or night.
You can reach us 24/7 on 01353
363614
Email: sara@vailfuneralservices.co.uk.
Boundary Farm, Sutton Road, Witchford,
CB6 2HX