Suzanne Bairstow Independent Funeral Director

26/02/2026

Yesterday it was an honour for me to take care of Greg's funeral arrangements. Gregory was my landlord at The Sidings and he had informed his daughters that at his time of need he wanted to rest in his own building until the time of his funeral.

Greg had a love for Land Rovers so yesterday three teams came together and worked as one as Peter from Land Rover Defender Hearse Hire. One Life Lived It. brought Alexander his green Land Rover hearse to take Greg on his final journey.

Peter (a different Peter) from Marsden Funeral Vehicle Hire provided and drove the lovely Mercedes limousine which Greg's family travelled in.

Thank you so much to the family for allowing me to share these photos.

27/01/2026

Following a catch up and cuppa with Roy's family on Friday evening, they have given me permission to share the photos from his beautiful, personalised farewell service which myself and his family worked closely together to create.

Amazing artwork was created by both his children and grandchildren, and a beautiful floral tribute and garland was made from the flowers and foliage in his garden by his wife.

Many thanks to Roy's family for allowing me to share these photos. X

03/01/2026

On Tuesday 30th December, we were honoured to conduct the special funeral service for Harry at the beautiful St. Michael & All Angels church in Linton. On this special day it would have also been Harry's 72nd birthday.

His family allowed me to place his much loved fishing rod onto his coffin, make a floral tribute in his favourite wellies and provide a can of his favourite tipple, Tetleys, which were displayed next to his coffin.

It was clear to see how much Harry meant to his family and what a character he was, as they shared memories, tributes, read poems, readings and a beautiful flute solo was played by Camilla of Nessun Dorma.

Thank you so much to Harry's family for allowing me to share the details and pictures of his special day. Xx

01/01/2026

Happy New Year to everyone.

As we reflect on 2025, we've met some lovely families who we have helped and supported at this sad time and have felt honoured to care for their loved ones and their funeral arrangements.

Thank you to each of our clients who have taken the time to write us a testimonial on Google, it really does mean the world to us.

I'd also really like to thank the wonderful team at Marsden Funeral Vehicle Hire who provide us with our hearse and limousines and support me at each of our funerals and also to the 'flower girls' at Woodbank Nurseries - Harden, Bingley for making our floral tributes, they are always beautiful.

Of course, I can't forget to thank the amazing Celebrants that we work with also. You all do an amazing job and bring your own unique style to each funeral.

Have a lovely New Year's day xx

24/12/2025

18/12/2025

Thinking of all our clients and who are now new friends that have lost their loved one this year. It has been an honour to care for your loved one and to help and support you and your family xx

14/12/2025

It's been an early Sunday morning start for the Bairstow family this morning.

Today we installed the new shipping container which is my new project and is being converted into my new office. It is having new upvc doors fitted next week, and Neil and Martin have done a great job at insulating and boarding it out for me. Now it's my job to paint and decorate it and make it a bit girlie.

Thank you so much to Neil and Martin for collecting the shipping container from near Stevenage for me, and to Neil and our boys Zak and Max for getting up at 4am to help move the container into its new home.
I'll post some updated photos when it's all done.

Now it's time to go and stand on the side line whilst watching Zak play football...
Have a lovely weekend x

10/12/2025

A beautiful day at Tarn Moor caring for Eduards and his lovely family, and we managed to miss the rain showers too. Thanks so much to Becky and James at Tarn Moor for looking after us, as always x

06/12/2025

This morning, Max and I attended the Christmas memorial service at Shay Grange Crematorium, where we helped the amazing team there serve tea and coffee and mince pies.

It was a well attended service and it was led by Celebrant Kevin Mitchell. There was a children's choir, and they did a great job of singing the twelve days of Christmas. It was lovely to share this special time and space with everyone that attended at what can be for many a difficult time of year. 🌲 xx

05/12/2025

Yesterday we held a lovely, personalised service at Skipton Crematorium beautifully led by Celebrant, Margaret Foxley.

Friends and family gathered at the chapel, some of which had travelled from Northumberland where our special gentleman had lived over the years.

David who was very musically talented had a tasteful piano key cardboard coffin, which was decorated with a single ended casket spray made with his favourite flowers, sunflowers and eucalyptus by the creative team at Woodbank Nurseries - Harden, Bingley , which his friends and family continue to enjoy as they each took a flower home following the service.

During the service we handed out wildflower seeds creatively wrapped in David's music sheets which his daughter had made. Friends and family were asked to plant them at a certain time of the year so they would blossom in time for David's 80th birthday in July.

Thank you so much to David's family for allowing me to share these details and pictures of his funeral service.

Take care x

01/12/2025

Please could I ask a favour? Please keep a look out for each other this Christmas, kindness means the world to everyone xx