I wrote this review because I always check google reviews before making a final decision on companies and I find that some reviews are so brief... I also wanted to write a review as CFFD made my Dads funeral perfect in every way - it was (which seems a strange thing to say) the perfect day & one I know my Dad would have loved.
CFFD were so kind & compassionate (from the moment they solemnly collected Dad from our home on Fathers Day) right through to looking after him whilst we awaited the death certificate (an inquest delayed matters) & the date of burial. There was no rush & no fuzz - offered us the chance to see him if we wished (we didn't) & explained that they were looking after him (in a specially adapted room out back on a cot (not a fridge)). This was comforting to us; knowing where he was & that he was being treated with respect.
CFFD were also extremely efficient & amazing on the day. They did everything, exactly as we wanted (as he would have wanted) & everyone said that it was the most perfect/the best funeral they had ever attended.
Colin looked so smart dressed up & simply couldn't have done more - he was calm & in control (which is comforting in itself because I had never organised a funeral before & didn't know what to do or what to expect) - he knew exactly what we had to do & what would happen.
I trusted them so much, that I didn't even call them on the day to check that all was well because I just knew it would be. They have this aura of "I have this" - I didn't doubt for a second that it would all run like clockwork & it did. It was seamless. At the last minute we decided that we would carry Dad into the crematorium (we had Kemnal Park which I also cannot rate highly enough), his staff explaining beautifully to the chosen few, how to walk with Dad & what to do.
They went above & beyond the call of duty, both before & after the funeral. They were great at the paperwork & the little details - so caring. Cathy was lovely on the phone whenever we called - they answered emails promptly & were just a first class operation - worth more than 5 stars in my humble opinion.
I have incredibly high standards & as a lawyer know that I can be a "difficult" person to deal with - I researched about 100 Funeral Directors before choosing Colin Fisher & I am so pleased I did.
Having read loads of reviews I decided that I wanted someone who was a little old fashioned/traditional (Colin with his smart suit and cane walks ahead of the coffin as you drive over the Bridge, we, the family, followed behind holding hands), who was compassionate (Dad would be with them for a while & I didn't want him filed in some fridge), who was not massively expensive (why pay two or three times more for a chain funeral director when you can have an independent who really cares?) - they were actually the most cost effective in the area & were not the least bit pushy for additional extras & they were good at the paperwork.
I think the highest praise is that my Mum said when she goes she wants everything exactly the same! Same everything she said & I will be happy. Lots of people commented & whilst we organised our own flowers & didn't have funeral cars (we have a friend who owns a florist and we didn't want people coming back to the house after the wake (which we held at The Manor, Bickley - which was also lovely)) CFFD were cool with this.
As the service finished Colin & Christopher Garvey (the celebrant who is worth special mention as he was insanely good at his job) both bowed to Dad before exiting the chapel. This led to every guest quietly leaving & bowing to Dad which was beautiful. Everyone had their own quiet moment with him, before him, my Mum & the children blew kisses & my brother gave him a final salute.
It was perfect and Dad would have been so proud - when you lose a loved one you want the final resting to be a reflection of them - you want it to be all that they would want. Job done - Colin Fisher - thank you x
Lorraine BrooksMarch 4, 2020.From start to finish, the service provided by Colin Fisher was brilliant. Nothing was too much trouble. From Kathy to Colin and the other members of the team, we were treated with kindness and the upmost courtesy. I have never had to sort out a funeral before, and hope I don’t have to do it again in the near future. But, if I do, I would definitely use them again. Thank you for treating my Dad with dignity and my distraught Mum with kindness and compassion. We won’t forget it. Kind regards Lorraine Brooks
Wendy LamploughFebruary 26, 2020.Colin and Cathy were incredibly kind and made a very sad day as bearable as possible. Everything went exactly to plan and on the day we all appreciated the calm support from Colin. Thoroughly recommended.
alex hucklesbyMay 3, 2019.The time that has passed since Friday 5th April has given us time to reflect on what was a truly memorable and profound occasion. I just wanted to thank you again for all your help in putting together such a fitting tribute for my father. You and your team were brilliant on all levels, from putting us at ease from the very beginning to the intricacies of putting the event together and attention to detail on the day itself, all done with class and compassion. My family and I are very grateful indeed to you. Alex
Keima PaytonJuly 12, 2018.I wrote this review because I always check google reviews before making a final decision on companies and I find that some reviews are so brief... I also wanted to write a review as CFFD made my Dads funeral perfect in every way - it was (which seems a strange thing to say) the perfect day & one I know my Dad would have loved. CFFD were so kind & compassionate (from the moment they solemnly collected Dad from our home on Fathers Day) right through to looking after him whilst we awaited the death certificate (an inquest delayed matters) & the date of burial. There was no rush & no fuzz - offered us the chance to see him if we wished (we didn't) & explained that they were looking after him (in a specially adapted room out back on a cot (not a fridge)). This was comforting to us; knowing where he was & that he was being treated with respect. CFFD were also extremely efficient & amazing on the day. They did everything, exactly as we wanted (as he would have wanted) & everyone said that it was the most perfect/the best funeral they had ever attended. Colin looked so smart dressed up & simply couldn't have done more - he was calm & in control (which is comforting in itself because I had never organised a funeral before & didn't know what to do or what to expect) - he knew exactly what we had to do & what would happen. I trusted them so much, that I didn't even call them on the day to check that all was well because I just knew it would be. They have this aura of "I have this" - I didn't doubt for a second that it would all run like clockwork & it did. It was seamless. At the last minute we decided that we would carry Dad into the crematorium (we had Kemnal Park which I also cannot rate highly enough), his staff explaining beautifully to the chosen few, how to walk with Dad & what to do. They went above & beyond the call of duty, both before & after the funeral. They were great at the paperwork & the little details - so caring. Cathy was lovely on the phone whenever we called - they answered emails promptly & were just a first class operation - worth more than 5 stars in my humble opinion. I have incredibly high standards & as a lawyer know that I can be a "difficult" person to deal with - I researched about 100 Funeral Directors before choosing Colin Fisher & I am so pleased I did. Having read loads of reviews I decided that I wanted someone who was a little old fashioned/traditional (Colin with his smart suit and cane walks ahead of the coffin as you drive over the Bridge, we, the family, followed behind holding hands), who was compassionate (Dad would be with them for a while & I didn't want him filed in some fridge), who was not massively expensive (why pay two or three times more for a chain funeral director when you can have an independent who really cares?) - they were actually the most cost effective in the area & were not the least bit pushy for additional extras & they were good at the paperwork. I think the highest praise is that my Mum said when she goes she wants everything exactly the same! Same everything she said & I will be happy. Lots of people commented & whilst we organised our own flowers & didn't have funeral cars (we have a friend who owns a florist and we didn't want people coming back to the house after the wake (which we held at The Manor, Bickley - which was also lovely)) CFFD were cool with this. As the service finished Colin & Christopher Garvey (the celebrant who is worth special mention as he was insanely good at his job) both bowed to Dad before exiting the chapel. This led to every guest quietly leaving & bowing to Dad which was beautiful. Everyone had their own quiet moment with him, before him, my Mum & the children blew kisses & my brother gave him a final salute. It was perfect and Dad would have been so proud - when you lose a loved one you want the final resting to be a reflection of them - you want it to be all that they would want. Job done - Colin Fisher - thank you x
Mark CherrieMay 14, 2013.My mother recently passed away and I found Colin Fisher using a Google search. I found their services to be courteous and professional throughout, during what was a very difficult time for me. I can't recommend them highly enough.