Losing someone you love is one of the hardest things any of us will ever face. When it happens, you should not have to work out what to do next on your own. As independent, family-run funeral directors serving Falmer, we are here to take the weight off your shoulders and guide you through everything, calmly and with real kindness.
Sussex Funeral Services is run by Philip and Sallie, who look after every family personally from our home at 185 Portland Road, Hove, BN3 5QJ. We are proud to be accredited and recommended by SAIF, the BIFD and the Good Funeral Guide, and we bring that same care to every family we help in Falmer, whatever kind of funeral feels right for you.
There is no rush and no pressure. We will sit with you, listen to what your loved one meant to you, and help you plan a farewell that feels honest and true to them. Philip and Sallie are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so there is always a familiar voice at the end of the phone when you need one.
Falmer sits just north-east of Brighton, a small village wrapped by Stanmer Park and the open South Downs, with the historic St Laurence Church at its heart and the University of Sussex, the University of Brighton campus and the American Express Stadium all close by. It is a place with a strong sense of community, and we feel privileged to support local families through such a difficult time.
We know the area and the people well, and we regularly care for families across the neighbouring communities of Coldean, Woodingdean, Moulsecoomb and Stanmer too. Wherever you are nearby, we can come to you. If you are just over the way, you may also want to read about our care as funeral directors in Woodingdean, where we support families in exactly the same warm and unhurried way.
For families in Falmer, cremations usually take place at Woodvale Crematorium on Lewes Road or The Downs Crematorium on Bear Road, both in Brighton. Burials are most often held at Woodvale Cemetery, Bear Road Cemetery or Brighton and Preston Cemetery. When the time comes to register the death, this is done at the Brighton and Hove Register Office at Brighton Town Hall, and we will happily explain how that works and what you will need to bring.
For many families in Falmer, a traditional funeral still feels the most fitting way to say goodbye. It gives everyone the chance to gather, to grieve together and to mark a life properly, whether that is a full church service, a gathering at the crematorium or a quiet committal at the graveside.
We look after every detail so that you do not have to. From the care of your loved one and the coffin, to the hearse, the order of service and the timings on the day, we make sure everything runs smoothly and gently, exactly as you have asked.
A direct cremation is the simplest option we offer. There is no service and no mourners present at the crematorium, just a quiet, respectful cremation carried out with the same care we give to every family. Afterwards the ashes are returned to you to keep or to scatter in a place that mattered.
Many families in Falmer choose this because they would rather hold their own celebration of life later, in their own time and in a setting that feels personal, or simply because their loved one wanted something quiet and unfussy.
Not every family wants a religious service, and that is absolutely fine. A celebrant-led funeral puts your loved one's life, character and story right at the centre of the day, with the words, music and moments that feel true to them rather than a set form.
We work with warm, experienced celebrants who will take the time to get to know your family. Together you can shape a service that reflects who your loved one really was, whether that is thoughtful and reflective or full of the things that made everyone smile.
If faith was important to your loved one, we will make sure it is honoured fully and respectfully. We have long-standing relationships with local churches and ministers, and we are used to working alongside different faiths and traditions to get every observance right.
Whether you would like a service at St Laurence Church, another local place of worship, or a committal that follows particular customs, we will handle the arrangements carefully and liaise with everyone involved so that nothing is overlooked.
Some families feel drawn to something more natural, and we are glad to help. From woodland and green burials to more personal, less conventional ways of saying goodbye, we will talk you through the choices with no pressure at all.
Given how close Falmer is to Stanmer Park and the South Downs, a gentler, more natural farewell often feels very fitting here. If you would like to explore something a little different, our alternative funeral services page sets out more of what is possible, and we are always happy to chat it through in person.
Thinking about your own funeral can feel daunting, but for many people it brings real peace of mind. A prepaid funeral plan lets you set out your wishes clearly and fix the cost of our services at today's prices, sparing your family both worry and difficult decisions later on.
We will sit down with you, without any pressure, and help you put together a plan that suits you. It is a quietly kind thing to do for the people you love, and it means your family in Falmer will know exactly what you wanted.
A funeral should feel like the person it is for, and the small, personal touches often mean the most. We offer a broad range of coffins, from classic traditional styles to wicker, bamboo and other natural materials, along with a thoughtful choice of urns and keepsakes for ashes.
Beyond that, we are always happy to help with the details that make a day feel truly personal, whether that is a favourite piece of music, a much-loved photograph, particular flowers or a small tribute that captures a lifetime in a moment.
Worrying about money on top of everything else is the last thing anyone needs. We believe in plain, honest pricing, so you will always know exactly what is included and what things cost before you decide anything. There are no hidden extras and no hard sell, ever.
As an independent family firm, we are proud to offer affordable and simple funerals without ever cutting back on care. Whatever your budget, we will help you arrange a dignified farewell in Falmer that feels right and stays within your means.
When you are grieving, the people looking after you matter enormously. Here is what families across Falmer tell us they value most about the care they receive from Philip, Sallie and the team.
The first thing to do depends on where your loved one has passed away. If it happened at home or somewhere unexpected, a doctor or the emergency services will need to attend, and if it was in hospital or a care home the staff there will guide you. Once that is done, you can call us at any hour and we will take care of everything from there, including bringing your loved one into our care.
For families in Falmer we most often arrange cremations at Woodvale Crematorium on Lewes Road or The Downs Crematorium on Bear Road, both in Brighton. We will talk you through which feels right for your family and handle all the bookings. If you would prefer a burial, we can arrange that too.
Burials for families in the Falmer area are usually held at Woodvale Cemetery, Bear Road Cemetery or Brighton and Preston Cemetery. We will help you choose a resting place, arrange the plot and take care of all the paperwork. If you have a family grave already, we can look into that for you as well.
Deaths in the Falmer area are registered at the Brighton and Hove Register Office at Brighton Town Hall. You will usually need to make an appointment, and it is normally done by a close family member. We will explain exactly what documents you need to take with you so there are no surprises on the day.
Yes. Philip and Sallie are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. Death does not keep office hours, so whenever you need us, day or night, you will reach a familiar and caring voice rather than a call centre.
Absolutely. Many families choose a celebrant-led or non-religious funeral that focuses on their loved one's life and personality rather than a set form of words. We work with experienced local celebrants who will help you create a service that feels genuinely personal, whether that is reflective, uplifting or a mix of both.
Yes, we do. As an independent family firm we offer everything from a straightforward direct cremation to a full traditional funeral, all with clear and honest pricing. We will always help you find an option that suits your wishes and your budget, without ever compromising on the care your loved one receives.
You certainly can. A prepaid funeral plan lets you set out your wishes and fix the cost of our services at today's prices, which spares your family difficult decisions later on. We will guide you through it gently and at your own pace, with no pressure at any stage.
If you have lost someone, or you simply want to understand your options, please do reach out. Philip or Sallie are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on 01273 736469 or 07789 174453. You can call at any time, day or night, or get in touch with our team whenever it suits you. There is no cost and no obligation for a conversation, just calm, caring guidance from people who genuinely want to help families in Falmer.