Business Details
Emergency
services
Trusted Funeral Services in Sturminster Newton
Grassby & Close has been serving the Sturminster Newton community since 1861, offering compassionate and professional funeral arrangements. Our family-run business provides comprehensive services including traditional burials, cremations, woodland burials, and memorial masonry, tailored to meet individual needs. With a dedicated chapel of rest in Blandford and experienced staff available 24/7, we guide families through every step with sensitivity and expertise. Our team, including qualified funeral director Maxine Downton-Jones, combines local knowledge with industry-leading practices to ensure dignified ceremonies.We offer bereavement support, pre-payment funeral plans, and collaborate with local cemeteries and crematoria across Dorset and East Devon. Our memorial masonry department provides bespoke inscriptions and renovations, while our heritage as part of Grassby & Sons Ltd guarantees decades of accumulated expertise. We maintain strict confidentiality and operate with transparency, ensuring all arrangements align with families' wishes and financial considerations.
Services
Traditional Burial
Cremation Services
Woodland Burial
Coffin Selection
Bereavement Support
Memorial Masonry
Pre-Payment Plans
Chapel of Rest
Funeral Transport
Newspaper Notices
Highlights and features
- We offer 24/7 emergency funeral services with immediate personal response
- Our qualified funeral director has specialist training from the Independent Funeral College
- We provide bespoke memorial masonry through our dedicated department established in 1861
- Our family-run business combines local knowledge with multi-generational funeral expertise
- We operate three chapel facilities across Dorset including our dedicated Casterbridge Chapel
Associations and certifications
- NAMM Membership
Services
Traditional Burial
We arrange traditional burials in local cemeteries and churchyards across Dorset. Our service includes grave space acquisition, interment fees, and coordination with local authorities. We handle all documentation and provide guidance on cemetery regulations, ensuring compliance with churchyard requirements and local council procedures while maintaining cost transparency.
Cremation Services
Our cremation services cover arrangements at local crematoria with options for ashes scattering or interment. We provide urn selection assistance, coordinate memorial inscriptions, and explain cremation procedures. Our team ensures proper documentation while offering guidance on memorial options and post-cremation ceremonies in accordance with family preferences.
Bereavement Support
We offer ongoing bereavement assistance including emotional support and practical guidance. Our service connects families with local support networks, explains financial/legal processes, and provides documentation assistance. We maintain confidentiality while helping clients navigate coroner procedures, death registration, and post-funeral administrative requirements across Dorset and East Devon.
Memorial Masonry
Our dedicated memorial department creates bespoke headstones and tablets with approved inscriptions. We handle cemetery regulations compliance, material selection, and renovation of existing memorials. With heritage dating to 1861, our masonry team ensures lasting tributes that meet churchyard and cemetery requirements while reflecting individual family preferences.
Pre-Payment Plans
We facilitate pre-arranged funeral plans that guarantee future costs and document personal wishes. Our service includes financial planning options, legal documentation, and secure payment arrangements. These plans ensure families avoid future price increases while providing peace of mind through detailed advance arrangements tailored to individual requirements.
People
Maxine Downton-Jones
Funeral Director
Certified funeral director with the Independent Funeral College, Maxine has served the Sturminster Newton community since 2015. She combines local knowledge with professional expertise to provide compassionate guidance during difficult times.
Questions
What funeral service options do you offer?
We provide traditional burials, cremations, woodland burials, and memorial services. Our options include chapel of rest facilities, various coffin selections, and bespoke memorial masonry through our dedicated department.
Are you available for emergencies outside regular hours?
Yes, our 24-hour service ensures immediate assistance whenever needed. Our staff personally answer calls and respond to requirements at any time of day or night across our service areas.
Can you help with pre-arranged funeral plans?
We offer pre-payment funeral plans that lock in current prices and document your wishes. These plans provide peace of mind through guaranteed cost protection and detailed advance arrangements.
Do you provide memorial headstone services?
Yes, our dedicated memorial masonry department creates bespoke headstones and tablets. We handle design approvals, material selection, and inscription work while ensuring compliance with cemetery and churchyard regulations.
How do you support bereaved families?
We offer emotional support, guidance on legal procedures, and connections to local bereavement networks. Our team explains financial requirements, handles documentation, and provides ongoing assistance during the grieving process.
