Kevin Cobbold Funeral Services

Independent funeral directors serving Norwich and Norfolk

Kevin Cobbold Funeral Services is a privately owned family company of funeral directors based in Hellesdon, Norwich, and operating across Norwich and Norfolk. The firm describes itself as independent, without a board of directors to finance, and states that it has carried out funerals nationwide. It reports proximity to St Faith's Crematorium, Earlham Crematorium, Greenacres Colney Wood Burial Park and Norfolk Bluebell Wood Burial Park.

The business is owned by husband and wife Kevin Cobbold and Ann Cobbold. Kevin Cobbold holds the Diploma in Funeral Directing and the Diploma in Funeral Service Management, and the firm states he has 27 years of experience in the funeral business; Ann Cobbold, a BA Hons (1st) and PGCE holder, is credited with 11 years of experience.

How the service is organised

Arrangements can be made in the family's own home if they prefer not to attend the funeral home, and the firm states it does not charge extra for such personal services. Kevin Cobbold can also act as celebrant at the service at no additional charge, which the company presents as a saving of over £220 on the usual cost of a celebrant. The range runs from full traditional funerals to the simplest direct cremation.

The firm states that a member of its own staff, rather than an agency or an anonymous call-handling service, is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week when someone has died.

Direct cremation

The company positions its direct cremation as more personal than those advertised on television: it uses a local crematorium, a hearse rather than a van, and informs the family when the cremation is taking place. At the time of writing, the total charge for a direct cremation was stated as £1,350.00 including all fees.

Funeral costs as published

The site lists a standard funeral at £2,095.00 plus third-party fees, and a direct cremation at £1,350.00 including third-party fees. Optional additional costs shown were:

• Hire of a limousine: £180.00
• Orders of Service from £60.00
• Church service before committal: £75.00
• Taking the coffin to home or church the day before the funeral: £160.00
• Taking names of mourners: £45.00

The company also refers to a standardised price list and a funeral plans offering covered by the new government legislation for those who wish to plan in advance.

Stated principles

Kevin Cobbold sets out three beliefs drawn from his time in the industry: that one dedicated person should look after the family throughout, that bereaved people should never need to spend more than they can afford with all costs made clear from the start, and that staff should be reachable 24 hours a day, seven days a week after a death.

Recognition and additional resources

The firm states that for the eighth year running it received the designation of being one of the Top 3 Funeral Directors in Norwich, an assessment it describes as based on a 50-point inspection covering reputation, history, complaints, ratings, satisfaction, trust, cost and general excellence. The website also provides guidance pages on what to do when someone dies, funeral poems, music and eulogies, tributes and donations, client reviews and a blog.

Premises

The office is located on Cromer Road in Norwich, with client parking available directly outside.