Everyone is invited to visit Alton’s newest funeral home

Residents are invited to tackle the taboo of death at the official opening of Alton’s newest funeral home.

The event will be an unusual mix of charity, cakes and coffins at The Co-operative Funeralcare branch at 71 High Street.

Whether residents are overwhelmed by the idea of funeral planning or simply want to plan ahead, the event is open to everyone on Wednesday 10 July from 3pm to 6pm.

A special donation will also be made to The Vokes Lunch Club which provides a local place for the over 60s in Alton to meet others and have an enjoyable lunch in a safe place.

Funeral Co-ordinators Emma Dulieu and Jane Turk are looking forward to welcoming people into the branch which is part of Southern Co-op – the regional, independent co-operative.

Emma said: “We know first hand how baffling funerals can be. There is a lot to think about – floral tributes, coffins, caskets, memorial masonry, pre-paid funeral plans and lots more.

“Our open event will be a time to celebrate our opening and a chance to support some of our valuable local causes. But it will also give people the opportunity to ask questions in a relaxed environment.

“People will be able to find out about all things funeral-related whilst enjoying some drinks and nibbles.”

Guests will also be able to find out how the branch can support the local community through Southern Co-op’s community engagement programme. The ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ initiative addresses four key social themes for promoting ‘Greener’, ‘Healthier’, ‘Safer’, and ‘More Inclusive’ neighbourhoods.

For more information, contact The Co-operative Funeralcare in Alton on 01420 85298.

Everyone is invited to visit Frimley Green’s newest funeral home

Residents are invited to tackle the taboo of death at the official opening of Frimley Green’s newest funeral home.

The event will be an unusual mix of charity, cakes and coffins at The Co-operative Funeralcare branch at no. 3 Wharf Road.

Whether residents are overwhelmed by the idea of funeral planning or simply want to plan ahead, the event is open to everyone on Thursday 9th May from 3 to 6pm.

A raffle will be held to raise funds for local charity Mustard Seed Autism Trust which provides professional and practical support for families living with autism.

Lorraine Paice, Funeral Co-ordinator at the branch which is part of Southern Co-op – a regional, independent co-operative, said: “Floral tributes, coffins, caskets, memorial masonry, pre-paid funeral plans – it can all be a bit baffling.

“We want to help people avoid tackling this task at a time when they are grieving which is one of the reasons why we are holding an open event.

“People will be able to get first hand advice on all things funerals from the team who will be able to put people at ease whilst enjoying some drinks and nibbles.

“The afternoon will hopefully give people a better understanding should they need our services in future.”

Guests will also be able to find out how the branch can support the local community through Southern Co-op’s community engagement programme. The ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ initiative addresses four key social themes for promoting: ‘Greener’, ‘Healthier’, ‘Safer’, and ‘More Inclusive’ neighbourhoods.

For more information, contact The Co-operative Funeralcare in Frimley Green on 01252 837 506 or email frimleygreenfuneral@southerncoops.co.uk.

Call for Surrey villagers to nominate a local cause

As a new funeral home in Frimley Green is preparing to open its doors to the public, residents are being asked to nominate a local cause in need.

The appeal is being made by Southern Co-op – an independent, regionally owned co-operative society – who is opening the new funeral home at No.3 Wharf Road.

It is hoped that residents will identify a cause which means something to the community and links in with Southern Co-op’s ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ themes – creating greener, safer, healthier or more inclusive neighbourhoods.

Jessica Hughes, Community Investment Manager at Southern Co-op, said: “Since we launched our ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ programme, we have supported a wide variety of charities and good causes from local schools and men’s sheds to hospitals and mental health charities.

“Our colleagues across our retail stores and funeral homes have a passion for helping their local communities so we like to start how we mean to go on. Being part of Southern Co-op, this funeral home will benefit from our community engagement programme which includes opportunities for donations, volunteering and fundraising.”

Frimley Green’s Co-operative Funeralcare is set to open on 7 January.

People have until 7 February to nominate the charity closest to their hearts as they are asked to think of a project which will really benefit the local community. This could be for any local cause and is not limited to registered charities.

To make a suggestion of a local cause, email community@southerncoops.co.uk and mention Frimley Green. Or for more information about Southern Co-op’s ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ scheme, click here.

New Blackmore Vale funeral home seeks charity partner

As a new funeral home in Sturminster Newton is preparing to open its doors to the public, an appeal is being made for a new charity partner.

The new funeral home at 4 Market House, Station Road, will be owned by local people as it will be part of Southern Co-op – a co-operative society owned by its members and formed in Portsmouth almost 150 years ago.

Southern Co-op’s Sturminster Newton Funeralcare is set to open on 10 December and colleagues are looking for a local charity partner to support over a 12 month period through various fundraising events.

Locals have until 10 January to nominate the charity closest to their hearts as they are asked to think of a project which will really benefit the local community.

The partnership could be with any local cause and is not limited to registered charities.

Wessex Cancer Trust has recently become a charity partner with Southern Co-op. Sofie Bennett, Head of Development at Wessex Cancer Trust, said: “Wessex Cancer Trust was delighted to be selected as one of Southern Co-op’s local charity partners.

“The whole team has fully embraced fundraising and awareness raising and together we’re making a real difference to local people affected by cancer. We are so grateful for all their enthusiasm and support.”

The project must meet one of Southern Co-op’s ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ themes – creating greener, safer, healthier or more inclusive neighbourhoods.

Jessica Hughes, Community Investment Manager at Southern Co-op, said: “Since we launched our ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ programme, we have partnered up with such a wide variety of charities and good causes from local schools and men’s sheds to hospitals and mental health charities.

“Our colleagues across our retail stores and funeral homes have a passion for helping the communities which they work in so have come up with some great fundraising ideas including quizzes, tea parties, summer fetes and bike rides. There are so many ways to raise money for a good cause and have lots of fun at the same time. We look forward to finding Sturminster Newton’s new charity partner.”

For more information about Southern Co-op’s charitable partnerships or to apply, click here.

New Southsea funeral home seeks charity partner

As a new funeral home in Southsea is preparing to open its doors to the public, an appeal is being made for a new charity partner.

The new funeral home in Albert Road will be owned by local people as it will be part of the Southern Co-op – a co-operative society owned by its members and formed in Portsmouth almost 150 years ago.

Southern Co-op’s Southsea Funeralcare is planned for opening on 20 August and colleagues are looking for a local charity partner to support over a 12 month period through various fundraising events.

Locals have until 21 September to nominate the charity closest to their hearts as they are asked to think of a project which will really benefit the local community.

The partnership could be with any local cause and is not limited to registered charities.

Wessex Cancer Trust has recently become a charity partner with Southern Co-op. Sofie Bennett, Head of Development at Wessex Cancer Trust, said: “Wessex Cancer Trust were delighted to be selected as one of Southern Co-op’s local charity partners.

“The whole team have fully embraced fundraising and awareness raising and together we’re making a real difference to local people affected by cancer. We are so grateful for all their enthusiasm and support.”

The project must meet one of Southern Co-op’s ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ themes, namely creating greener, safer, healthier or more inclusive neighbourhoods.

Jessica Hughes, Community Investment Manager at Southern Co-op, said: “Since we launched our ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ programme just over a year ago, we have partnered up with such a wide variety of charities and good causes from local schools and men’s sheds to hospitals and mental health charities.

“Our colleagues across our retail stores and funeral homes have a passion for helping the communities which they work in so have come up with some great fundraising ideas including quizzes, tea parties, summer fetes and bike rides. There are so many ways to raise money for a good cause and have lots of fun at the same time. We look forward to finding Southsea’s new charity partner.”

For more information about Southern Co-op’s charitable partnerships or to apply, click here.

£1,000 donated at new funeral home opening

The Mayor and Mayoress of Havant, residents and businesses celebrated the opening of a new funeral home in Widley owned by local people.

Open Day at Widley Co-operative Funeralcare

Colleagues at Southern Co-op’s new funeralcare branch in London Road also announced their new charity partner – The Elizabeth Foundation – and gifted them with a cheque for £1,000.

The Portsmouth based charity helps preschool deaf children and babies learn to listen and talk and will now be the funeral home’s partner for one year as part of Southern Co-op’s ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ scheme.

This initiative addresses four key social themes for promoting: ‘Greener’, ‘Healthier’, ‘Safer’, and ‘More Inclusive’ neighbourhoods.

Fiona Heath, Fundraising Manager at The Elizabeth Foundation, said: “On behalf of all the staff and families at the Elizabeth Foundation, we would like to thank the Southern Co-op for adopting us as the charity of the year.

“We really look forward to working with all the staff to make this a very fruitful partnership for both of us. They have already helped us by volunteering when we needed help with our Summer Fair last week which was great.”

The recently opened funeral home hosted the open event on Tuesday 17 July to tackle the taboo of funeral planning and introduce residents to the wide range of services and products available from modern day funerals, such as motorcycle hearses, memorials, eco-friendly coffins and much more.
The open evening also included a large raffle to raise money for the Elizabeth Foundation.

For those who were unable to attend the open evening, Rianne Rose, Funeral Co-ordinator at Widley Co-operative Funeralcare, invites residents to pop in for a guided tour without any obligation.

Mayor Peter Wade said: “It’s a pleasure to open the Southern Co-op Funeral home in Widley. I am sure it is going to be a very successful business. I had no idea they have 24/7 bereavement advisors to give help and assistance to anyone. They are a very friendly bunch of people who are always ready and willing to help.”

Southern Co-op is a co-operative society owned by its members who have a say in shaping the organisation’s future and also benefit from a share of the profits.