R Butler & Sons Funeral Directors

19/02/2026

Please support the great charity ‘RISE’ and come and win a beautiful bouquet for Mothers Day. 🌺 🌹 🌷 💐

10/02/2026

On February 14th we’re taking a moment to remember the loved ones who stay close in our hearts, even when they’re no longer with us. 💗

If you’re finding Valentine’s Day a little tender, our team at R Butler and Sons are here for you, and holding you in our thoughts.

You’re always welcome to visit us at 5 Station Road, Hailsham, call us on 01323 840086, or get in touch if you’d like guidance on our services or memorial options.

06/02/2026

Funeral plans, call us at R Butler & Sons Funeral Directors book an appointment today, on 01323 840086.
Have the funeral you want.
And paying by Direct Debit makes it more affordable.
Contact us for more details or pop In for a booklet.

Some conversations can bring real clarity and reassurance.
Planning ahead gives you the time and space to make considered choices with support there when you need it.

Learn more: www.dignityfuneralplans.co.uk or call 08082 393 824.

06/02/2026

Here at R Butler and Sons we want to tell you what happens on the day of a funeral, because many people still don't know what to expect, so this post is just to put your mind at rest.

We can accommodate dress themes or you can tell people to wear a special colour if you don't want people to wear black, coloured ties by bearers, flags, football scarves, hats, or any special objects to go on the coffin, anything you want to make the funeral personal, to the one you love.
Just ask us and we will endeavour to do what we can for a last farewell.

If you’re feeling unsure about what to expect, that’s completely natural. Every funeral is unique, but the day follows after a reassuring phone call from the Funeral Director the day before the funeral.

We will run through any special requests and make sure the day goes smoothly. This includes if family/friends would like to carry the coffin.

1) Guests should arrive at the venue about 15 minutes before the ceremony.
There will be waiting rooms at the crematorium where the Funeral Director will come and meet family and friends, (if family haven't arrived with the hearse in limousines.)
Sometimes you will be ushered into the ceremony hall before the immediate family, other times they will enter with their loved ones going first and following behind them, or even help carry the coffin.
This is totally the families choice, whatever the family decide to do, the Funeral Director will accommodate and notify all the guests on what to do. So keep your eye on the person in the top hat.

2) The service will typically begin with the celebrant or minister offering a welcome message, then proceed to a section detailing the person's life, followed by a period for your personal reflection. Poems or scripture will also be read. A non-religious ceremony typically lasts about 30/35 minutes, while a church service lasts about 75 minutes.

3) The Committal, All ceremonies will include a committal section where the deceased is said goodbye to. Traditionally, in a crematorium, this would be at the end of a service, but in church services, it could be at the graveside, or it could move to a crematorium for cremation if the person is not being buried.
You can also have the cremation first and a church service afterwards. (Nothing is set in stone so do ask when coming in to do the arrangements.)

4) After the service guests may leave when they feel ready, Some families will arrange a gathering at a local establishment or at their home to continue celebrating and reminiscing about the person who has died.

5) Flowers, these have many choices, they can stay on the coffin, or be brought out of the chapel and placed where people can look at them, they can be left at the crematorium or taken to the wake or they can even be donated to a Hospice.

Throughout the day, everything is guided with care and dignity, so families and guests can focus on what truly matters which is saying a final farewell in their own way. You may not see them much during the service, but a good Funeral Director is in the background ensuring everything is in accordance with the family's wishes.

I hope this helps, and feel free to ask any other questions.

Dawn Jones
Funeral Director
R Butler & Sons Funeral Directors

13/01/2026

Come along and see Graham our Gonk in the window with his friends, having a snowball fight, awaiting the beast from the East to bring more bad weather.

24/12/2025

This Christmas...

You don't have to be full of joy,
All merry and all bright,
You don't have to force festive cheer,
If you don't feel alright.

No, you're not obligated,
To be jovial and jolly,
To string the lights and sing the songs,
Or deck the halls with holly.

Perhaps you're missing someone,
And perhaps they miss you too,
Perhaps you're feeling burdened,
By how much you have to do.

Perhaps the bleak mid winter,
Leaves you feeling rather cold,
Perhaps it's hard to drive
December's darkness from your soul.

Perhaps you'd rather hibernate,
Let Christmas pass you by
But remember; it's not long ‘til you
Can bid this year goodbye.

For now, don't paint a smile
Upon your teary, tired face,
Instead, find quiet moments,
Where this season gives you space.

And recognise that songs
And decorations cannot hide,
The flurry of emotions
Overwhelming you inside.

Yes, find those little moments,
Where the lights don't feel so bright,
Where you don't have to keep pretending,
Just to be polite.

Where you can breathe in peacefully,
Away from all the noise,
Away from expectation,
That you're full of festive joys.

‘Cause when the day is over,
And the lights are taken down,
When it’s another year,
Before next Christmas rolls around,

Yes, when the joy is fading
And the merriment has ceased,
You’ll be so very grateful for
Those pocketfuls of peace,

Becky Hemsley 2023
Stunning artwork by Ann Baratashvili from the book 'Lost Story'.
—————————————
R Butler and Sons are Sending love to all of those that are not full of 'Christmas cheer' this year. Thinking of you all who have lost someone dear to you this time of year, and sending you love and strength to get through the festive period.

Remember there is always someone out there willing to listen if you get low,

Call Samaritans free on 116 123

SHOUT offers confidential 24/7 crisis text support, text SHOUT to 85258

Crisis text helpline Text HOME to 741741

Child line for under 19s 0800 11 11

NHS - 111

20/12/2025

Just an update to say, someone who was nominated for the bouquet, has been chosen.
They will receive it before Christmas.

There was many to choose from and if I could have given you all a bouquet to make you smile I would.

Best wishes
Dawn Jones
Funeral Director

17/12/2025

Last chance to get your nominations in for the bouquet, Please private Message us and we will pick tomorrow, and privately message you, before we announce publicly..

Good Luck Everyone

Please nominate and makes someone’s day.

02/12/2025

Please nominate and makes someone’s day.

Please get your nominations in early so we can go through them all and decide a winner of the beautiful bouquet.

Please nominate and makes someone’s day.

27/11/2025

Come along and see our festive memory window.

We understand not everyone is looking forward to christmas, as someone special will be missing from your home, and your heart.

Why not pop in and write a message for a loved one on one of our Stars/Robins or Hearts and hang it on our memory tree.

And don't forget to nominate someone for our Christmas bouquet.

25/11/2025

Please nominate and makes someone’s day.

06/11/2025

It's that time of year again when we at R Butler & Sons Funeral Directors remember all the soldiers lost in conflict.
Come along and look at genuine world war artifacts in our window to celebrate these brave men and women.
Let us never forget their sacrifice..