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 an independent, family-run firm, and we look after Worthing families with the same care and patience we would want for our own. There is never any rush and never any pressure, only a calm and steady hand to guide you through each step at a pace that feels right for you.
Whether you are planning ahead or you have just had sad news, we are ready to help. We arrange traditional funerals, direct cremation, burials, celebrant-led and religious services, and simple, affordable farewells, all shaped around the person who has died and the wishes of the family left behind. Everything is explained in plain language, so you always understand your choices and never feel lost.
Philip and Sallie are on hand day and night, and a real person will always answer the phone. From the very first call to the day of the funeral and beyond, you will deal with people who know your name and your story, not a call centre or a chain.
Worthing sits along the West Sussex coast, with its well loved pier, the long seafront and the green swell of Highdown Hill just above the town. It is a place of long memories and close communities, and we understand how much it means to say goodbye to someone here, in the town where they lived their life. Wherever you are between BN11 and BN14, we will come to you, and we will make sure everything feels local, personal and unhurried.
As well as Worthing itself, we regularly help families in the neighbouring areas of Lancing, Ferring, Goring and Shoreham. Many services for Worthing families take place at Worthing Crematorium on Findon Road, which serves the town and the villages around it, and we know the crematorium and its staff well. If you are closer to the mouth of the river, you may find it helpful to read about our care for families as funeral directors in Shoreham, and you can also see the full list of places we look after on our areas we cover page.
When someone dies in the Worthing area, the death is registered with the West Sussex register office, and we will explain exactly how that works and when it needs to happen. We can help you understand the paperwork, book the right appointments and make sure nothing is missed, so that the practical side is taken off your shoulders while you focus on your family.
For many Worthing families a traditional funeral still feels right: a service to gather everyone together, a coffin carried with care and a chance to pause and honour a life well lived. We arrange every part of the day with warmth and quiet attention, from the first call to the final farewell.
You choose as much or as little as you wish, whether that is a full procession, hymns and readings, or something simpler and more intimate. We will guide you gently through each decision and take care of the details so you can be present with the people who matter.
A direct cremation is the simplest choice of all. There is no service at the crematorium and no procession, just a quiet, respectful cremation carried out with the same care we give to every family. Many people choose it because they would rather remember their loved one their own way, perhaps with a gathering at home or by the sea later on.
It is also one of the most affordable options we offer, and there are no hidden extras. We handle everything and return the ashes to you so you can say your own goodbye, in your own time, in a place that meant something.
Not everyone wants a religious funeral, and that is absolutely fine. A celebrant-led service puts the person at the very centre of the day, telling their story in their words, with the music, memories and readings that meant the most to them. It can be moving, uplifting and completely personal.
We work with experienced local celebrants who take the time to sit with your family, listen properly and build a service that truly sounds like the person you are remembering, whether that is thoughtful and gentle or full of laughter and warmth.
If faith was important to your loved one, we will make sure their funeral honours it fully and correctly. We arrange Christian services of all denominations and work respectfully alongside families of other faiths, liaising with your minister, priest or faith leader so that every custom and prayer is observed with care.
We understand that the right words, timing and traditions bring real comfort, and we will always take the time to get them right. Nothing is too much trouble when it comes to honouring your beliefs.
For families who feel a strong connection to nature, a woodland or green burial can be a beautiful and peaceful choice. Set in gentle, natural surroundings rather than a formal cemetery, it offers a quiet resting place that returns to the landscape over time, which many people near the Sussex coast and countryside find deeply comforting.
We can arrange natural burials, cemetery burials and simpler options too. If you would prefer something plain and unfussy, we are always happy to talk you through a no fuss graveside burial, where the focus is simply on being together at the graveside without extra formality.
Planning ahead is a thoughtful and loving thing to do. A prepaid funeral plan lets you set out your wishes and fix the cost of our services at today's prices, sparing your family difficult decisions and worry at a time when they will already be grieving. It is a genuine kindness that many Worthing families are grateful for later.
We will sit with you, explain everything clearly and help you put together a plan that reflects exactly what you want. There is no pressure and no jargon, only honest advice and a plan kept safely on record.
The small details often mean the most. We offer a wide choice of coffins, from classic wood to simple, natural and eco-friendly designs, along with a lovely range of urns and keepsakes for those who choose cremation. Whatever your budget, there is a fitting and dignified option.
We warmly welcome the personal touches that make a farewell feel truly like your loved one, whether that is a favourite piece of music, a particular flower, a treasured photograph or an object that told their story.
Worrying about money at a time like this feels wrong, so we keep our costs open and honest from the very start. We will give you a clear written breakdown of everything that is included, with no surprises and no pressure to spend more than you want to. You will always know exactly where you stand.
Whether you want a full traditional funeral or a simple, affordable farewell, we will help you find the right service for your family and your budget, and we will treat every enquiry with the same care and respect.
We are a small, independent, family-run firm, and that difference is felt in everything we do. When you call us you reach people who genuinely care, who live and work in Sussex, and who will stay by your side from the first phone call right through to long after the funeral.
Yes, we look after families right across Worthing, from BN11 through to BN14, and in the surrounding areas of Lancing, Ferring, Goring and Shoreham. Wherever you are, we will come to you and arrange everything locally. Distance is never a barrier to the care we give.
Many Worthing families choose a service at Worthing Crematorium on Findon Road, which serves the town and the villages around it. We can also arrange services at a local church, chapel or another place that held meaning for your loved one. We will talk through all the options with you.
When someone dies in the Worthing area, the death is registered with the West Sussex register office. We will explain exactly what you need to do, when it needs to happen and what documents to take with you. We are always happy to guide you through the paperwork.
Yes, Philip and Sallie are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can reach us at any time of day or night. A real person will always answer, never a machine. There is never a wrong time to call when you need us.
Costs depend on the type of funeral you choose, from a simple direct cremation to a full traditional service. We always give you a clear written breakdown with no hidden fees, so you know exactly what is included. We will help you find something that suits your family and your budget.
Absolutely, we offer simple and affordable options, including direct cremation and straightforward graveside farewells. A simpler service is no less caring or dignified, and we treat every family with the same respect. We will happily talk you through the choices without any pressure.
Yes, many people in Worthing choose to plan ahead with a prepaid funeral plan. It lets you record your wishes and fix our service costs at today's prices, which spares your family worry and difficult decisions later. We will sit with you and explain everything clearly.
The first thing to do is simply pick up the phone and call us, at any hour, and we will take it from there. We will talk you through the immediate steps, arrange to bring your loved one into our care and gently explain what happens next. You do not have to have anything worked out before you call.
Whenever you are ready, or if you simply need to talk something through, please get in touch. Philip or Sallie are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and you can call us any time on 01273 736469 or 07789 174453. There is no obligation and no pressure, only calm, caring people ready to help you through whatever comes next for your family in Worthing.