Thorburn Funeral Directors

24/10/2025

Senior pupils took part in discussions around grief, funerals and legal issues.

19/09/2025

The D Word … Talking about death with ease … Talking about death together …

I'm delighted to be well under way with Moffat Academy S6 students who have signed up to The D Word.

The D Word is a social enterprise which aims to contribute to an increasingly compassionate society where talking about death is a more common and comfortable experience.

The D Word resource is designed to be delivered by experienced Celebrants to groups of any age and stage who would benefit from being supported to become familiar with what to expect when someone close dies.

We learned about the role of funeral directors today in a brilliant talk and Q&A session with Steven Bell from Thorburn Funeral Directors
🙏

03/09/2025

Winner of The Vice president 2 bowl was Neil Shearer who beat Craig Coltart in the final.

22/08/2025

Winners of the Ladies Pairs were Elly Mccubbin and Shirley Robson who beat Pam Linton and Sarah Smith in the final.

31/07/2025

Regrettably, we are experiencing some technical issues resulting in our website and email address currently offline.
As always we are available 24/7 on the telephone number 01387 810263 should you need to contact us, or alternatively via our new email address office@thorburn-funerals.co.uk if this is preferable.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused and are working to correct the issue as soon as we can.

17/05/2025

In my role as an independent funeral celebrant, I continue to work with several excellent funeral directors.
There is plenty of choice and you can find the right fit for you and those close to you.

Being prepared isn't as difficult as you might think, with resources such as these ones which are available to download at The Good Funeral Guide

18/04/2025

19/03/2025

With such a strong connection to birds and plants, as well as her friends and family, we were lucky to bid farewell to H bathed in the sunshine of her favourite season, Spring.

So many people came to show their love for a woman who inspired us, with her endless curiosity and appreciation of the beauty that exists all around us.

Thank you.

05/12/2024

I can't think of many better things to be known for...... than your smile.

Yesterday's gorgeous celebratory farewell for S highlighted her positive view of the world. We wore bright colours, reminisced about the countless joyous memories of moments shared; dancing the conga, days at the beach, holidays and fun, fun, fun.

😊

Smiling Is Infectious by Spike Milligan

Smiling is infectious, you can catch it like the flu,
When someone smiled at me today, I started smiling too.
I passed around the corner and someone saw me grin.
When he smiled, I realised, I'd passed it on to him.
I thought about the smile, and realised its worth.
A single smile just like mine could travel round the earth.
So, if you feel a smile begin, don't leave it undetected.
Let's start an epidemic, quick - and get the world infected.

01/11/2024

Today marks the beginning of Absent Friends Week 2024 (1-7 Nov) a Scotland-wide festival of storytelling and remembrance.

I'm delighted to be playing a part again this year with the pupils and staff of Moffat Primary school, showcasing the festival Dia de los Muertes (which also takes place this weekend) in Mexico and many Spanish speaking countries.

The Day of the Dead Festival is like a family reunion with dead ancestors as the guests of honour. It is a joyful time that helps people remember and celebrate the memory of loved ones and our ancestors as a community.

By talking about death, dying and bereavement we can help children develop the skills and recognise the emotions we all feel when facing grief.

Our experiences are individual to us all, but we can support and empower one another along the way as we navigate a life where grief is, ultimately unavoidable.

29/10/2024

COMPLIANT READY

In March 2016 Scottish Government passed the ‘2016 Act’ which provides the statuary framework to issue a ‘Code of Practice’ and to appoint Inspectors of Burial, Cremation and Funeral Directors. This is legislation that we, Thorburn Funeral Directors fully endorse and support to ensure high standards in all aspects of the funeral industry going forward.

The Funeral Director Code of Practice applies to all Funeral Directors carrying out the functions of a Funeral Director in Scotland regardless of where their business is based. This is likely to lead, eventually to all Funeral Directors requiring an operator’s license.

The Code has been informed by the knowledge and expertise of members of the funeral profession and is guided by the principles of responsible practice. The desired outcome of implementing this Code is to ensure that every person in Scotland will have a dignified and respectful funeral and bereaved families can be assured that the very best standards of care, service and knowledge will be provided.

The Code requires Funeral Directors to adhere to a high standard in their care of the deceased which will assist in providing transparency in the goods and services offered to bereaved families.

The Code of Practice will come into force on 1st March 2025 and we are pleased to reassure the community that through our continued personal development with SAIF and the College for Independent Funeral Directors, Thorburn Funeral Directors have put all measures in place to ensure compliance.

31/10/2023

14th November 2-3.30pm in Upper Annandale Patish Church. ⬇️
Contact Ruth.Grieve@nhs.scot or Elsie.Macrae@churchofscotland.org.uk