Our priority is to support you in whatever way is best for you and your family. We are here to listen, guide, and help to ensure that your wishes are honoured during this difficult time.
Losing a child is an unimaginable pain, and offering support during such a difficult time can provide a sense of comfort to grieving parents. Helping them understand that it’s okay to take their time with funeral arrangements, without feeling rushed, is important. Every parent’s journey through grief is unique, and providing the space for them to honour their child in the way that feels right for them is a beautiful way to show support.
Here at Hillier Funeral Service, we have a specially trained and qualified team who have experience in caring for and looking after families arranging funerals for a baby or child.
We offer a full service for any funeral, and we will do everything we can to meet the requests and wishes of the family.
Meeting Us
Before we meet, we can provide you with several options to review at your own pace, so you can discuss them with your family. Once you’re ready, we’ll meet with you to go over these choices and ensure everything aligns with your wishes.
We understand that convenience is important during this time, so we are happy to meet you at any of our funeral homes in Old Town, Rodbourne Cheney, Highworth or Royal Wootton Bassett. Alternatively, we can arrange to meet you at your home or another location that suits you best.
Service
You may wish to have a private funeral or gathering with family and friends. The service can be held locally in church, the crematorium chapel, our service room at Kingshill House or at a woodland burial ground. We will support what is best for you and your family.
You can personalise the service in any way that feels right for you. We are here to help create a meaningful and heartfelt tribute that reflects your loved one.
We can create a photo slideshow set to music, which can be played during the service. This is a special way to celebrate the life and memories of your loved one. We’re happy to discuss this option with you and guide you through, ensuring it’s just right for you and your family.
Chapel of Rest
Should you wish to visit your loved one, we will make sure your visit to our chapels of rest is as peaceful as possible. You are also more than welcome to bring in toys or teddies to make the chapel more personal for you.
We have dedicated chapels of rest which can be adapted to your loved one, including child friendly pictures, soft toys and teddies.
You can view your loved one either in their coffin, in a moses basket (age dependent) or on a bed.
Things to Think About
When planning the funeral we will ask you to make a number of decisions so it’s best to be prepared and consider the following:
- Is your loved one to be buried or cremated?
- Where would you like your loved ones funeral to take place? (church, crematorium, graveside, etc.)
- What type of service would you like?– religious, civil, humanist, or any other
- Would you like to come and see your loved one at our Chapel of Rest? (You can choose to have your loved one dressed in their own clothes)
- What music you would like?
- Would you like a Charity to benefit from donations?
- Would you like any family cars?
- Where would you like the funeral to leave from? (Your home, Our Chapel of Rest, or meet us at the Venue?)
- Would you like us to administer your donations for a favourite charity?
Tributes
You can personalise the service in any way by playing a favourite song, releasing environmentally-friendly balloons, releasing doves or organising floral tributes. Any tribute can become a touching reminder of the funeral service for years to come. We can compile a Photo slideshow to music which can be played during the service, We are happy to talk and help you through the options.
Vehicles
Depending on the age of your child, it is sometimes not appropriate to use a traditional hearse. In these instances, we have limousines or estate cars. You are welcome to travel with your loved one on the day of the service. We can also arrange alternative transport options with you, for example: horse drawn carriage/hearse.
We can also discuss other transport options with you for example: horse drawn hearse or fire engine etc.
Coffins
For our infant funerals we include (free of charge) an Infant Handmade Paper Casket, which are crafted from a biodegradable paper, handmade using a centuries-old technique. They are suitable for green burial and clean cremation. The bark from the mulberry tree is harvested, leaving the tree intact. It is then soaked, made into a pulp and spread out onto bamboo screens. Flower petals are inlaid before the screens are placed in the sun to dry. The resulting paper is used to create the beautiful and earth-friendly Baby and Infant Caskets. Each casket includes a fleece lining, a pillow and a Blooming Ornament.
