Business Details
Emergency
services
Trusted Funeral Services in St Leonards
Douglas Mercer & Son Funeral Directors have served the St Leonards community since 1897, founded by Douglas Pop Mercer. Our enduring commitment to personal, respectful funeral services reflects the values established by our founder. With over a century of collective experience, our team provides expert guidance through every stage of funeral planning, offering tailored arrangements that celebrate individual lives.We pioneered the Choice Prepaid Funeral Plan to help families secure costs and clarify final wishes. Available 24/7 via telephone or home visits, we combine traditional professionalism with compassionate support, ensuring every family receives dignified, bespoke care. Our long-standing reputation as trusted local funeral directors is built on generations of dedicated service to the community.
Services
Cremations
Burials
Green Funerals
Unattended Cremation
Repatriation
Prepaid Plans
Memorial Masonry
Floral Tributes
Transport Services
Probate Assistance
Highlights and features
- We offer 24/7 availability for immediate support during bereavement
- Our team provides personalized funeral arrangements reflecting individual lives
- Over 125 years of combined experience in funeral care
- Choice Prepaid Funeral Plans secure costs against future inflation
- Established local reputation since 1897 demonstrates enduring trustworthiness
What people say
24/7 availability
Compassionate staff
Personalized arrangements
Transparent pricing
Professional expertise
Services
Cremations
We provide comprehensive cremation services with options for traditional or contemporary ceremonies. Our experienced team guides families through venue selection, service planning, and legal requirements. We offer cremation packages starting from 1,700, excluding third-party fees, with choices for memorialisation and ash scattering.
Prepaid Funeral Plans
Our Choice Prepaid Funeral Plans allow advance arrangements with guaranteed pricing. Plans cover essential services including cremation/burial fees, coffin selection, and professional charges. We provide transparent pricing with protection through regulated financial arrangements, ensuring families avoid future cost increases.
Green Funerals
Sustainable funeral options include biodegradable coffins, natural burial grounds, and woodland memorial sites. We offer eco-conscious choices like cardboard coffins from 570 and bamboo caskets from 720, with certified environmentally responsible suppliers. Our team advises on carbon-neutral transportation and natural memorial options.
Repatriation Services
Specialist international repatriation services for deceased persons returning to or from the UK. We handle all logistics including documentation, transportation, and customs clearance. Our experienced team coordinates with overseas funeral providers to ensure respectful care and compliance with international regulations.
Memorial Masonry
Custom memorial design and installation services with traditional and modern options. We offer granite, marble, and sandstone memorials with bespoke inscriptions. Our stonemasons provide restoration services for existing memorials and can create unique tributes reflecting personal stories and interests.
People
Molly Dowling
Funeral Arranger
Qualified NAFD member with funeral industry experience since leaving school. Specialises in administrative coordination and client support. Actively involved with local charity as Trustee, bringing compassionate perspective to funeral planning.
Gillian Strachan
Funeral Arranger
13 years' experience in funeral services, specialising in end-of-life planning. Holds NAFD certification in funeral arranging. Provides expert guidance on prepaid plans and complex logistical arrangements for families in St Leonards.
Nick Darkk
Senior Funeral Director
Over 10 years' experience in funeral care, relocated to St Leonards in 2000. Combines local knowledge with professional expertise to support families during bereavement. Focuses on creating meaningful tributes that reflect individual lives.
Questions
What types of funeral services do you offer?
We provide cremations, burials, green funerals, unattended cremations, and repatriation services. Our team can create bespoke arrangements to reflect personal preferences and cultural traditions.
Can I arrange a funeral in advance?
Yes, our Choice Prepaid Funeral Plan allows you to arrange and pay for services in advance, protecting against future cost increases while ensuring your wishes are clearly documented.
What payment options are available?
We offer funeral finance options through regulated providers, allowing payment by instalments. Full payment details and pricing transparency are provided during initial consultations.
Are you available outside regular office hours?
Yes, our funeral directors are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year via telephone. We can arrange immediate assistance and home visits at any time.
Do you provide international funeral services?
Yes, we offer repatriation services for international transfers, handling all logistics including documentation, transportation, and compliance with international regulations for both incoming and outgoing arrangements.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve St Leonards-on-Sea and surrounding East Sussex areas, with funeral homes across the Funeral Partners network providing nationwide coverage for repatriation and special arrangements.
