Business Details
14 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Funeral Service in Cranleigh
J Woodford Family Funeral Service is a truly independent funeral service established in 2012, owned and operated by John and Gail Woodford. With over four decades of combined experience in the funeral profession, our team of dedicated professionals, including Tony Goring and Katie Simpson, provides compassionate, personalized support to families across the South of England. We specialise in creating tailored funeral arrangements that reflect individual wishes, offering guidance through legal requirements and practical arrangements while maintaining the highest standards of discretion and professionalism. Our services include traditional and contemporary funerals, direct cremation, repatriation, memorial design, and pre-paid funeral planning.As members of the National Association of Funeral Directors, we adhere to strict ethical guidelines and prioritise client needs, ensuring no request is too small or complex. Our 24/7 availability guarantees immediate assistance during times of bereavement, and our flexible approach allows arrangements to be made at clients' homes or our Cranleigh office. With a legacy rooted in independent service since 1982, we combine traditional values with modern expertise to deliver dignified, stress-free funeral solutions.
Services
Funeral Arrangements
Direct Cremation
Repatriation
Funeral Plans
Memorial Design
Chapel of Rest
Coffin Selection
Vehicle Hire
New Memorials
Existing Memorial Maintenance
Details
- Year established: 2012
Highlights and features
- We offer 24/7 availability for immediate assistance during bereavement
- Our team includes funeral directors with over 40 years combined experience
- We provide tailored funeral arrangements without advance payment requirements
- We operate independently across the South of England with local knowledge
- Our services include direct cremation, repatriation, and memorial design
Associations and certifications
- National Association of Funeral Directors
What people say
Exemplary and outstanding
Kindness and organisation
Sympathetic approach appreciated
Nothing too much trouble
Professional yet caring
Services
Funeral Arrangements
We guide families through legal requirements and create personalized funeral services tailored to individual wishes. Our compassionate team offers complete flexibility for traditional or contemporary ceremonies, with options for home visits and 24/7 support. Services include chapel of rest access, vehicle arrangements, and printed stationery.
Direct Cremation
Our cost-effective direct cremation service includes legal documentation, coffin provision, and cremation at Guildford Crematorium. This unattended service covers all basic requirements without additional ceremonies, available for 1,600. We handle all logistics while maintaining the highest standards of care and professionalism throughout the process.
Repatriation
We manage international repatriation of remains with multi-lingual support and complete logistical coordination. Our service includes document translation, coffin provision, and liaison with embassies, hospitals, and airports. We handle all necessary paperwork and freight arrangements to ensure respectful transportation of loved ones across international borders.
Funeral Plans
Our pre-paid funeral plans through Ecclesiastical Planning Services allow advance arrangement of details and financial provision. Plans include customizable elements like music choices and officiant fees, with funds securely held in insurance policies. We offer flexible payment options and guaranteed cost coverage when arrangements remain unchanged.
Memorial Design
Our stonemason with 40+ years' experience creates bespoke memorials including headstones, plaques, and pet memorials. We provide free consultations for new memorials, cleaning services for existing ones, and annual maintenance contracts. We assist with cemetery regulations and offer comprehensive design options from traditional to contemporary styles.
People
John Woodford
Director
Qualified funeral director since 1982 with extensive experience in independent funeral services. Co-founder of J Woodford Family Funeral Service in 2012 after working in the profession for three decades. Holds National Association of Funeral Directors' Diploma and maintains strong local community ties.
Gail Woodford
Director
Diploma holder with funeral service experience since 1985 and legal executive qualifications in Wills and Probate. Co-founder who returned to the business in 2012 after a career break. Combines legal expertise with funeral service knowledge to provide comprehensive client support and guidance.
Tony Goring
Funeral Director
Qualified funeral director and civil funeral celebrant with experience since 2007. Former social worker who brings compassionate, person-centred approach to funeral arrangements. Holds specialist qualifications in funeral care and ceremonial services for diverse cultural and religious requirements.
Katie Simpson
Funeral Director
Newly qualified funeral director with psychology background and 25 years' experience in client-facing roles. Joined the team in 2025 after career change, bringing empathetic communication skills and modern approach to funeral service provision while maintaining traditional values.
Questions
What areas do you serve?
We provide funeral services throughout the South of England from our Cranleigh base.
Do you offer 24-hour support?
Yes, our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for immediate assistance.
What payment options exist?
We typically don't require advance payments, but accept various payment methods for funeral services.
Can you handle overseas repatriation?
Yes, we manage international repatriation with multi-lingual support and complete logistical coordination.
Do you provide pre-paid funeral plans?
Yes, we offer customizable pre-paid funeral plans through Ecclesiastical Planning Services with flexible payment options.
What memorial services do you offer?
We create bespoke memorials including headstones, plaques, and pet memorials with free design consultations and maintenance services.
