Business Details
41 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Funeral Services in Kent
Doves Funerals was founded in the 1980s by second-generation Funeral Director Sean Costello, establishing a reputation for empathy and expertise in funeral planning. Our team, many of whom continue family legacies in funeral directing, serves communities across Kent and surrounding areas through eight funeral homes. We offer tailored funeral services reflecting diverse cultural, religious, and personal preferences, supported by 24/7 availability for immediate assistance.Our services include cremations, burials, woodland funerals, repatriation, and prepaid funeral plans designed to ease future burdens. With a commitment to professionalism and compassion, we guide families through every step of the funeral process, ensuring dignified and meaningful tributes to loved ones.
Services
Cremations
Burials
Green Funerals
Unattended Cremation
Repatriation
Memorial Masonry
Coffin Range
Ashes Urns
Floral Tributes
Prepaid Plans
Details
- Year established: 1985
Highlights and features
- We offer 24/7 availability for immediate assistance and guidance.
- Our team includes experienced funeral directors with family legacies in the profession.
- We create tailored funerals reflecting individual cultural, religious, and personal preferences.
- We provide prepaid funeral plans to ease future financial and emotional burdens.
- Our eight local funeral homes ensure accessible, community-focused support across Kent.
What people say
Compassionate support
24/7 availability
Personalised arrangements
Community-focused service
Empathetic team
Services
Cremations
Cremations are the most popular funeral option, offering flexibility in ceremony style and location. We arrange services at crematoriums, churches, or alternative venues, accommodating religious or non-religious preferences. Our team guides families through the process, including arranging eulogies, music, and post-service arrangements for ashes. Prices vary based on selected options, ensuring a dignified and personalised farewell.
Burials
Traditional or informal burials tailored to family wishes, including grave selection and service arrangements. We assist with reopening family plots, coordinating chapel use, and personalising ceremonies with readings or music. Our expertise ensures compliance with cemetery regulations while providing compassionate support for creating meaningful tributes that reflect the deceased's life and values.
Green Funerals
Woodland and eco-friendly funerals offering sustainable alternatives to traditional services. We facilitate burials in natural settings, using biodegradable coffins and avoiding headstones to preserve environmental integrity. These services cater to those seeking to minimize ecological impact while creating peaceful, lasting memorials in harmony with nature, with options for memorial trees or flowers.
Repatriation
Comprehensive repatriation services for returning loved ones to or from the UK. Our experienced team handles documentation, transportation logistics, and cultural requirements across 24/7 operations. We provide embalming, translation services, and coffin compliance with international regulations, ensuring respectful and seamless arrangements for families navigating cross-border funeral needs.
Prepaid Plans
Choice Funeral Plans allow advance payment for services, locking in current prices to alleviate future financial burdens. Plans include essential services and customizable options, with funds securely managed through regulated providers. This service offers peace of mind by ensuring personal wishes are respected while protecting families from rising costs and decision-making pressures during bereavement.
People
Sean Costello
Founder
Founder of Doves Funerals in the 1980s, Sean Costello established the business with a commitment to compassionate service. His legacy continues through the team's dedication to personalized funeral arrangements across Kent.
Christopher Minter
Senior Funeral Director
With a background in automotive management, Christopher joined Funeral Partners in 2022. He values supporting families during difficult times, combining professional expertise with personal interests in football refereeing and cycling to connect with diverse communities.
Laura Rainsford
Funeral Director
Laura transitioned from Kent Libraries to funeral services in 2023, bringing archival precision to her role. A self-described bibliophile, she finds fulfillment in guiding families through funeral planning while balancing her love for literature and community support.
Karen Colman
Funeral Arranger
Karen shifted from care work to funeral services in 2022, driven by a desire to empower grieving families. With experience in children's residential care, she prioritizes active listening and personalized arrangements, ensuring families feel heard and supported throughout the process.
Kayleigh Harris
Funeral Arranger
Kayleigh joined Funeral Partners in 2022 after 15 years in local government. An avid climber and dancer, she combines physical resilience with empathy to create meaningful farewells, focusing on making the funeral process as smooth as possible for bereaved families.
Questions
What types of funerals do you offer?
We provide cremations, burials, woodland funerals, unattended cremations, and repatriation services, all tailored to individual preferences and cultural needs.
Can I plan a funeral in advance?
Yes, our Choice Funeral Plans allow you to arrange and prepay for services, ensuring your wishes are respected while easing future burdens on loved ones.
Are your services available outside normal hours?
Our team is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with home visits and emergency arrangements possible at any time.
How do I choose a memorial?
We offer memorial masonry services with various styles and materials, including personalized options. Our team provides guidance on selecting lasting tributes that reflect individual lives.
Do you handle international repatriation?
Yes, we manage full international repatriation with documentation support, compliant transportation, and cultural sensitivity for both incoming and outgoing arrangements.
What payment options are available?
We accept payments for funeral services and offer prepaid plans. Specific financing details can be discussed directly with our funeral arrangers.
