Business Details
Emergency
services
Personalised Funeral Services in Brighton
ARKA Original Funerals is a Brighton-based independent funeral service dedicated to providing compassionate, personalised support for families during difficult times. Founded and led by Cara Mair, our team combines extensive industry experience with a commitment to environmental sustainability, offering both traditional and green funeral options. We specialise in creating meaningful ceremonies that reflect individual preferences, from woodland burials to cremations, while maintaining 24/7 availability for urgent needs. Our approach prioritises client autonomy, allowing families to participate as much or as little as they wish in the planning process.With a focus on transparency and ethical practices, we provide guidance on venue selection, music, transportation, and memorial options, ensuring every detail aligns with the deceased's wishes and family traditions. Our team's continuity ensures consistent support from initial arrangements through to the final farewell, fostering trust and reducing stress during emotionally challenging periods.
Services
Cremations
Burials
Personal Ceremonies
Eco-Friendly Funerals
Ashes Scattering
Coffin Selection
Memorial Planning
24/7 Support
Transport Arrangements
Obituary Services
Highlights and features
- We offer 24/7 availability for urgent funeral arrangements
- Our team provides expertise in both traditional and green funerals
- We support client-led ceremonies with full participation options
- We maintain continuity with the same team member throughout the process
- We prioritise sustainable practices including biodegradable coffins
What people say
Compassionate support
Eco-friendly options
Flexible ceremony planning
24/7 availability
Personalised service
Services
Cremations
We arrange cremation services at multiple local venues including Woodvale and Downs Crematoria. Our team helps create unique ceremonies with music, photo displays, and venue choices beyond standard chapel slots. We provide guidance on eco-friendly options and support families in making informed decisions about this common funeral choice.
Burials
Offering traditional cemetery and woodland burial options across southeast England, we assist with plot selection and ceremony planning. Our services include guidance on natural burials using biodegradable coffins, with access to sites like Clayton Wood and Hove Cemetery. We support families in creating meaningful tributes within both conventional and environmentally conscious frameworks.
Personal Ceremonies
We specialise in creating bespoke funeral ceremonies that reflect individual preferences. Our services include celebrant coordination, venue selection, music planning, and transportation options ranging from traditional hearses to motorcycle processions. We empower families to design ceremonies that truly honour their loved one's personality and life.
Eco-Friendly Funerals
Our sustainable funeral options include biodegradable coffins, natural burial sites, and carbon-conscious cremation practices. We provide expert guidance on woodland burials and eco-urns while maintaining traditional service quality. Our team helps families balance environmental considerations with meaningful memorial requirements through certified sustainable suppliers and practices.
Ashes Management
We offer comprehensive support for ashes handling including scattering, burial, and keepsake options. Our sustainable urn collection features biodegradable materials and bespoke designs. We provide guidance on dividing ashes for multiple memorials and assist with scattering permissions in meaningful locations while respecting environmental regulations.
People
Cara Mair
Founder & Lead Funeral Director
With extensive funeral industry experience, Cara established ARKA Original Funerals to provide compassionate, client-led services. She specialises in empowering families to create meaningful ceremonies while maintaining environmental responsibility through sustainable practices and product choices.
Hannah Bywaters
Funeral Director
Hannah has supported Cara since 2016, working across all aspects of funeral arrangements from the Islingword Road office. Her role includes coordinating ceremonies and providing practical support, ensuring consistent service quality and client care throughout the funeral planning process.
Hannah 'B' Butters
Funeral Assistant
B brings creativity and resourcefulness from her social care and arts background. She provides essential practical support across all funeral operations, ensuring smooth execution of ceremonies while maintaining the compassionate approach central to ARKA's values.
Tracy O'Rourke-Burr
Office Manager
Tracy manages funeral arrangements and office operations with exceptional organisational skills. Her calm presence ensures administrative efficiency and timely coordination of services, supporting the team's ability to focus on client care and ceremony execution.
Li Mills
Funeral Arranger
Li coordinates funeral arrangements from the Surrey Street office while also serving as a recommended celebrant. Her experience as a death doula enhances her empathetic approach, providing comprehensive support that combines practical arrangements with emotional guidance.
Questions
What types of funeral services do you offer?
We provide traditional cremations, woodland burials, personal ceremonies, and eco-friendly options with full client participation choices.
Can we create a custom funeral ceremony?
Yes, we specialise in bespoke ceremonies with flexible venue choices, music, transportation options, and celebrant coordination.
Do you offer 24/7 funeral services?
Yes, our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for urgent arrangements and support.
What sustainable options are available?
We offer biodegradable coffins, natural burial sites, eco-urns, and carbon-conscious cremation practices across all services.
Can ashes be scattered in meaningful locations?
Yes, we assist with ashes scattering permissions and provide biodegradable urns for sea or land scattering.
Do you help with funeral music arrangements?
Yes, we provide music advice, portable sound systems, and connections to professional musicians for ceremonies.
