Hodgson Family Funeral Home

07/12/2025

Our Memorial Christmas Tree

This year, our Christmas tree holds something especially close to our hearts. Paul has lovingly 3D-printed every tree ornament, each one shaped as a turtle dove - inspired by one of our favourite Christmas films, Home Alone 2 🕊️

Every dove carries the name of those we have had the honour of looking after since we opened in September 2023. It is our way of remembering, with gratitude, the families who have trusted us and of acknowledging the lives of those who are deeply missed.

At this time of year, when togetherness matters more than ever, we want to say thank you. Thank you to the families who have welcomed us into their most vulnerable moments and thank you to our community for your continued support.

We are thinking of all of our clients - past and present - this Christmas.
May this season bring you comfort, peace and the warmth of cherished memories ❤️

All our love Leisha, Paul and Emmett ###

02/12/2025

As we move into the festive season, our thoughts naturally turn to the families we’ve had the privilege of looking after. Christmas time can be especially difficult when someone special is missing. Wishing you all warmth and compassion during the festive period.
Love Leisha & Paul x

27/11/2025

The Hartlepool Monkey

Legend has it that during the Napoleonic Wars of the early 19th century, a shipwrecked monkey was hanged by the people of Hartlepool, believing him to be a French spy.

A French ship was spotted floundering and sinking off the Hartlepool coast. Suspicious of enemy ships and nervous of possible invasion, the good folk of Hartlepool rushed down to the beach, where amongst the wreckage of the ship they found the only survivor, the ship’s monkey which was apparently dressed in a miniature military style uniform.

The Monkey Legend is one of the most enduring and famous tales about the town of Hartlepool and dates back to the start of the nineteenth century. It was during the Napoleonic Wars that the story was based around the discovery of the wreckage of a French ship off the coast of Hartlepool. The town’s fishermen had been monitoring the progress of the ship as it fought against a vicious storm and when it eventually sunk they immediately turned their attentions to the wreckage.

Hartlepool is a long way from France and most of the populace had never met, or even seen, a Frenchman. Perhaps the locals could be forgiven for deciding that the monkey, in its uniform, must be a Frenchman, and a French spy at that. There was a trial to ascertain whether the monkey was guilty of spying or not, however not unsurprisingly, the monkey was unable to answer any of the court’s questions and was found guilty. The townsfolk then dragged him into the town square and hanged him.

So is the legend true? Did the good folk of Hartlepool really hang a poor defenceless monkey?

There could perhaps be a darker side to the tale, maybe they didn’t actually hang a monkey, but a small boy or powder-monkey. Small boys were employed on warships of this time to prime the canons with gunpowder and were known as powder-monkeys.

Over the centuries the legend has been used to taunt the residents of Hartlepool, indeed still today, at football matches between local rivals Darlington and Hartlepool United the chant, Who hung the monkey can often be heard. Most Hartlepudlians however love this story. Hartlepool United’s mascot is a monkey called H’Angus the Monkey, and the local Rugby Union team Hartlepool Rovers are known as the Monkeyhangers.

The successful mayoral candidate in the 2002 local elections, Stuart Drummond, campaigned dressed in the costume of H’Angus the Monkey, using the election slogan free bananas for schoolchildren, a promise he was unfortunately unable to keep. However this appears not to have dented his popularity, as he went on to be re-elected two more times.

Whatever the truth, the legend of Hartlepool and the hanged monkey has endured for over 200 years.

Thanks for reading and viewing this article that now appears in The Nostalgic History Society of County Durham & Northumberland created by myself at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/775978445139384 : Chris: 🤠

20/11/2025

Good morning snowy Hartlepool! I don’t know about you but I hate snow…well that’s not technically true. I love snow when I don’t have to go out in it or drive in it but such is life.

Anyway I haven’t posted anything particular in a while so I’d like to start this morning with a healthy debate that I discuss with folks I know on a reasonably regular basis -

Heaven forbid, you or someone you know is poorly (nothing serious) but still requires the need to see a doctor (if you can get in to see them but that’s another moan for another day). What would you do if the doctor in question was the best in the area but had pink hair?

You have to go to court for a legal issue. You’ve got the best solicitor in the country but they have their lip pierced. What’s your thoughts?

You’re a church goer and your vicar/pastor/padre/father has long hair, rides a motorbike, has many tattoos and listens to heavy metal - but he’s the best minister you’ve ever listened to and is the most kind and approachable person you’ve ever met?

So finally - what if any of the above was your funeral director?

Thoughts please, but let’s keep it pleasant folks 😃

Leisha x

12/11/2025

Food for thought

Do you have a funeral plan in place with an online or tv company ?

If you pass away at home. Who collects you ?

08/11/2025

Remembrance Day

I’m proud to share a photo from my time serving in the Royal Navy. I served for six years and that commitment to service continues today as my wife and I support our local community with experience and compassion, when they need it most

Lest we forget those who gave everything for our freedom.

25/10/2025

24/10/2025

Did you know you don't need to use a national company to have the funeral you want!

At Hodgson Family Funeral Home Hartlepool, we offer a dignified and compassionate unattended cremations Hartlepool service, also known as Direct Cremation at £1300

15/10/2025

A Simple, Dignified Farewell with a Personal Touch
At Hodgson Family Funeral Home, we understand that saying goodbye is deeply personal.
Our Direct Cremation service offers a simple, respectful option without a traditional ceremony, but with the same care, dignity, and compassion every family deserves.
Unlike many other funeral providers, we also offer families the opportunity for a private viewing, as well as the option to keep locks of hair and fingerprints. Treasured keepsakes to hold close forever.
Every detail is handled by Leisha & Paul, ensuring your loved one is cared for with the utmost respect from start to finish.
Because every goodbye deserves to be personal.

02/10/2025

25/09/2025

Many people think of us as just an office - but behind the scenes, we have a full mortuary care facility right here. This means every aspect of care, preparation, and dignity is handled by Leisha and Paul, a Husband and wife team, without ever leaving our hands.

For the families we serve, this brings comfort in knowing that loved ones remain in our care from beginning to end.

We’re here not only to guide you through arrangements but also to provide the highest level of care with compassion and respect when you need it most.