Trusted family funeral directors at WestCountry funeral service in Plymouth
At WestCountry Funeral Service, we understand how overwhelming the process of planning a funeral can feel. Whether you’re organising a traditional service, a green funeral, or a simple cremation, we’re here to offer expert guidance, local knowledge, and compassionate care every step of the way.
Trusted funeral directors
Located in the historic village of Elburton—a quaint suburb of Plymstock in Plymouth—the Old Smithy is a charming property that originally served as a blacksmith’s forge.
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Ideally positioned at the gateway to the South Hams and close to the picturesque coastal towns of Newton Ferrers, Noss Mayo, Brixton, and Yealmpton, Elburton offers a warm community setting. The Old Smithy provides a peaceful and dignified environment for our Funeral Home and Chapel of Rest.
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Convenient parking is available in the public car park next door. We are available by appointment 24 hours a day, every day.
We offer a full range of funeral services, from simple Direct Cremations to more elaborate ceremonies with limousines, traditional black hearses, horse-drawn carriages, or motorcycle hearses.
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Our selection of coffins includes traditional veneered styles in oak, elm, or mahogany—all FSC-approved—as well as alternative options such as wicker, cardboard, glittered, and wool coffins.
We understand how important it is to remember your loved one in a way that feels right for you and your family. We offer a thoughtful selection of keepsakes, including personalised items such as fingerprint jewellery, glass tributes containing ashes, as well as scatter tubes and caskets for the safe keeping or scattering of cremated remains. If you wish, we can help to arrange a quiet family gathering for scattering ashes at sea or for burial.
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For those choosing a lasting memorial, we can gently guide you through the options available. We work closely with skilled local stonemasons who craft headstones, ashes tablets, and grave markers with great care and attention to detail.
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Looking after those who have died is a great responsibility—one we hold with deep respect. We are fully trained and qualified in all aspects of funeral care, and proud to be members of the British Institute of Embalmers and the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors.
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Our Funeral Home is managed by Leah Dawes, an experienced Funeral Director, supported by Richard Parson and the rest of our small, dedicated team. When you visit us, you’ll find a warm and understanding welcome, and someone ready to listen.
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If you have any questions or simply wish to talk things through, we’re here whenever you need us.
Why families choose our service
Choosing funeral services from a family-run team means one trusted contact who coordinates every supplier and explains options in plain language. You receive practical guidance on paperwork and local arrangements, and we can offer environmentally conscious choices and referrals for grief support. Our approach reduces calls and confusion by providing a written plan and a simple estimate when you are ready to see costs. We focus on respectful presentation and personal touches that reflect a life lived.
How we make things easier
We remove common obstacles that add stress. We prevent missed deadlines and reduce travel by arranging local venues and parking notes. If you are planning a simple service, we streamline the process. For those wanting a personalised ceremony, we coordinate readings and bespoke tributes. Our team of experienced funeral directors handles logistics so you do not have to.
Compassionate step-by-step support for families
When you contact WestCountry Funeral Service, we take care of the immediate practicalities so you can focus on your family. We collect the person who has died with dignity and arrange a private viewing if you wish. We guide you through registration and liaise with local registrars and venues. Together we plan the service format, select a coffin or alternative, arrange transport and prepare memorial stationery. On the day, we manage timings and welcome guests. We also handle the transfer of ashes. After the service, we help with headstone enquiries and scattering options. Each step includes a clear next action and a named contact so decisions feel manageable.
A family legacy of care
Our history is rooted in long-standing local service and quiet dedication. As a family-run team, WestCountry Funeral Service brings continuity and a personal touch to every arrangement. That continuity means a familiar voice on the phone and consistent support through planning and aftercare. The steady presence of a single team can ease decision-making at a difficult time.
Qualified and trusted professionals
Professional qualifications matter when you need clear guidance. Our team holds recognised training and industry qualifications that shape how we plan and deliver funeral services. That training ensures we follow best practices for care and legal compliance. When you choose us, you are choosing a team that combines practical expertise with a compassionate approach.
Specialist embalming care
Membership of professional embalming bodies reflects a commitment to high standards of care. Our embalming practice follows established techniques and ethical guidelines to ensure dignity and respect. We explain options clearly and help families decide what is appropriate for viewings and transport. This specialist care is offered with sensitivity and full explanation at every step.
Frequently Asked Questions
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“Our huge thanks for looking after Dad and us so well from the beginning through to the very end. Especially you Leah - we couldn’t have done it without you. You will always hold a special place in our hearts for what we shared together. Dad would have been so grateful too. The service was perfect, you all looked so smart and professional, were so compassionate, caring and respectful of our space. It all ran smoothly and calmly. Especially lovely was the chapel of rest at Elburton - that was what caught my eye originally and it was a charming and intimate place of calm.”
Jenny PL6 8AS
Speak to a local, independent funeral director today
Call us for support and guidance with funeral arrangements in Plymouth.
We’re here for you 24 hours a day, every day of the week—offering clear advice, personal care, and peace of mind when you need it most.
