Losing someone you love is one of the hardest things any of us ever face, and knowing where to turn can feel overwhelming. At Sussex Funeral Services we are here to take the weight off your shoulders, to answer your questions calmly and to guide you through everything one step at a time. As independent, family-run funeral directors, we look after families in Ovingdean and the surrounding villages with the same care and patience we would want for our own.
We are Philip and Sallie, and we run this firm ourselves from our home at 185 Portland Road, Hove, BN3 5QJ. When you call us, you speak to us directly, not a call centre or a large chain. That personal touch matters at a time like this, and it means the family who first sits with you is the same family who sees everything through to the end.
Whether you want a full traditional funeral, a simple and affordable service, a direct cremation or a celebration of life that truly reflects the person who has died, we will listen first and then help you plan something that feels right. There is never any pressure and never any rush, only honest advice and a steady hand when you need it most.
Ovingdean is a small, quiet coastal village just east of Brighton, tucked between the sea and the Downs. It is a place with a long history, home to the ancient Saxon and Norman St Wulfran's Church, and close to Roedean School and the Undercliff Walk along the shore. Many of the families we help have lived here for years, and we understand how much the village and its community mean to them.
We regularly support families right across this corner of East Sussex, including neighbouring Rottingdean, Woodingdean and Brighton Marina. If you would like to know more about the wider area we look after, you can read about the areas we cover and the villages closest to home. Wherever you are based, we come to you and handle the practical arrangements around your own schedule.
When it comes to the local details, the two crematoria serving Ovingdean are Woodvale Crematorium on Lewes Road and The Downs Crematorium on Bear Road, both in Brighton. Burials in the area usually take place at Woodvale Cemetery, Bear Road Cemetery or Brighton & Preston Cemetery. A death is registered at the Brighton & Hove Register Office at Brighton Town Hall, and we will happily explain how and when to do this so nothing feels confusing at an already difficult time.
For many families in Ovingdean, a traditional funeral still feels like the right way to say goodbye. This usually includes a hearse, a service at a church, chapel or crematorium, and time for family and friends to gather and pay their respects. We take care of every detail so you can focus on being with the people you love.
We will sit down with you to plan the order of service, the music, the readings and the flowers, and we can arrange cars for the family, printed service sheets and a chosen route if you would like the procession to pass a place that mattered. Nothing is too small a request, and we will make sure the day runs calmly and exactly as you wish.
A direct cremation is one of the simplest and most affordable options we offer. There is no formal service at the crematorium, and the cremation takes place quietly and respectfully without mourners present. It suits families who prefer something unfussy, or who would rather hold their own gathering later, in their own time and their own way.
Choosing a direct cremation does not mean going without a proper farewell. Many families in Ovingdean use it as a gentle first step and then arrange a celebration of life or a small memorial at home or by the sea whenever they feel ready. We will return the ashes to you and explain your options with warmth and no pressure.
Not everyone wants a religious funeral, and that is absolutely fine. A celebrant-led service puts the person who has died at the very heart of the day, telling their story in their own words, sharing memories and the moments that made them who they were. It can be as reflective or as uplifting as you wish.
We work with experienced celebrants who take the time to get to know your family and the person you are remembering. Together you can shape a service that reflects their character, their passions and their sense of humour, with the readings, music and personal touches that feel true to them.
If faith was important to the person who has died, or is important to your family, we will make sure their funeral honours those beliefs and traditions in full. We have long experience arranging services for many different faiths and denominations, and we work closely with local ministers, priests and faith leaders to get every detail right.
For a church service near Ovingdean, this may mean a funeral at a parish church followed by a burial or cremation. Whatever your tradition, we will handle the timings, the readings, the hymns and the customs with respect and quiet attention, so the service feels reverent and true to your beliefs.
Some families prefer a more natural farewell, and we are glad to help with woodland, green and other alternative funerals for those who want a gentler footprint. This might mean a natural burial ground, a biodegradable coffin or a simple graveside gathering surrounded by the outdoors.
We also arrange traditional burials at the local cemeteries, and for those who want something quiet and unfussy we can organise a no fuss graveside burial with just close family and a few kind words. Whatever feels right for your loved one, we will make it happen with care.
Planning ahead is a thoughtful and caring thing to do, both for yourself and for the family you will one day leave behind. A prepaid funeral plan lets you set out your wishes in advance and fix the cost of our services at today's prices, sparing your loved ones difficult decisions and unexpected expense at a painful time.
We will talk you through the choices in plain English, with no jargon and no pressure, so you understand exactly what is included. Many people in Ovingdean find real comfort in knowing everything is arranged and that their family will simply need to make one phone call when the time comes.
The small details often mean the most, and we offer a wide choice of coffins and urns to suit every taste and budget, from classic and understated to natural and contemporary. We will show you the options honestly and help you choose something that feels fitting, without ever pushing you towards the most expensive.
Beyond the coffin, it is the personal touches that make a funeral feel truly like your loved one. A favourite piece of music, a treasured photograph on the order of service, a particular flower, a special reading or a keepsake for the family: we welcome your ideas and will help you weave them into the day.
We believe you should never feel confused or worried about money at a time of grief. That is why we are open and transparent about our costs from the very first conversation. We will give you a clear written estimate that sets out exactly what is included, with no hidden extras and no surprises later on.
Whether you are looking for a full traditional funeral or a simple and affordable service, we will explain your choices plainly and help you find something that suits your budget and your wishes. Being independent and family-run means we can keep our prices fair and our advice genuinely on your side.
Choosing a funeral director is a decision made with the heart, and families across Ovingdean trust us because we treat every person in our care as if they were our own. Here is what you can expect when you turn to us.
Yes, we look after families throughout Ovingdean and across the neighbouring areas including Rottingdean, Woodingdean and Brighton Marina. Although our home is at 185 Portland Road in Hove, we come to you and handle the arrangements wherever suits you best. Distance is never a problem, and there is no charge to talk things through.
The two crematoria serving the area are Woodvale Crematorium on Lewes Road and The Downs Crematorium on Bear Road, both in Brighton. Burials usually take place at Woodvale Cemetery, Bear Road Cemetery or Brighton & Preston Cemetery. We will help you choose the right one and take care of all the bookings for you.
A death for someone in the Ovingdean area is registered at the Brighton & Hove Register Office at Brighton Town Hall. You usually need to do this within five days, and it is best to make an appointment first. We will explain exactly what to bring and what to expect, so the process feels much less daunting.
If the death was expected, please call the family doctor or the surgery first, and then call us on 01273 736469 or 07789 174453 at any hour. If it was sudden or unexpected, ring 999 or 111 for advice. Once you are ready, we will come to bring your loved one into our care with the utmost gentleness and respect.
Yes, Philip and Sallie are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including nights, weekends and bank holidays. Death rarely keeps to office hours, so whenever you need us, we are only a phone call away. You will always speak to a caring person who can help straight away.
The cost depends on the type of funeral you choose, which is why we always give you a clear written estimate before anything is arranged. A direct cremation is one of our most affordable options, while a full traditional funeral naturally costs more. We will explain everything openly so there are never any hidden surprises.
Absolutely. Every funeral we arrange is shaped around the person who has died, whether through their favourite music, special readings, meaningful photographs or a chosen route. Just share your ideas with us and we will help bring them to life, so the day feels like a true reflection of your loved one.
Yes, we offer prepaid funeral plans that let you record your wishes and fix the cost of our services at today's prices. It is a caring way to spare your family difficult decisions later on. We will guide you through the choices calmly, in plain English, so you understand exactly what your plan includes.
If you have lost someone, or you simply want to ask a question or start planning ahead, we are here for you. Philip or Sallie will answer personally, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on 01273 736469 or 07789 174453. There is no obligation and no pressure, only warm, honest advice from an independent, family-run team who will treat you and your loved one with the kindness and respect you deserve. If you are nearby, you may also find it helpful to read about our funeral directors in Rottingdean.