H Biffen & Sons Ltd

Reviews

• AB

  Anita Beesley

  Mar 4, 2025
  5.0
  Absolutely amazing. They were very kind throughout the whole process especially dealing with such a fractured family. Thank you.
• NN

  Natalie

  Aug 4, 2022
  1.0
  Unfortunately we did not have a good experience with H Biffens & Sons Ltd. We felt they lacked compassion and empathy and this was simply another funeral and another business transaction for them. It felt from the start that we were arranging the funeral at their convenience and ease. To put this in context, it started with them suggested it was easier for them and would save on time to go to a different crematorium than listed on the funeral plan, as it was closer to their premises. When we requested a time close to lunch time (as some family were travelling from London on the day) either 11am, midday or 1pm for the funeral, we received the response that these were very popular times so this may be difficult. A comprehensive funeral plan was already in place and yet Mr Biffen wanted to charge the family extra for the loss he was going to incur, as prices had risen so much since the funeral plan had been taken out in 2006. Once he had spoken to the funeral plan company, he confirmed he couldn't charge us extra as the plan was guaranteed and rather than apologising, he continued to tell us that he was going to make a loss on this service! At John Biffens request, the family travelled to his office for a 4:30pm meeting to discuss the funeral arrangements. During this meeting he wasted time talking about other peoples loved ones, for example, the inconvenience of still having someone's ashes on his desk after a few months and the fact he was having to order a XL coffin from America for an obese person that had recently passed. This meant he ran out of time to put a date/time in the diary and also displayed a complete lack of confidentiality. More importantly, it left us feeling upset, as this is likely how he would talk about our family to others afterwards. John insists on having pallbearer training for those undertaking the role. Whilst we do respect that he takes his H&S responsibilities seriously, it is another clear indication of him not understanding the emotions that families experience on the day of the funeral. We asked if this could take place on a day before the actual service day but they said it doesn't make any difference and they are closed on Saturdays anyway! We felt this time could have been better spent supporting each other as a family and not wasting over an hour at the yard before the funeral particularly as the training only took 15 minutes! Unfortunately this isn't the first time we have had to organise a funeral for a loved one but this is the first time we have had a really bad experience with a funeral director and it was a stark contrast to the compassion and kindness that other funeral directors have shown to us and the person that has passed. We cannot recommend using H Biffen and Sons.
• PP

  Peter Plume

  Dec 15, 2021
  5.0
  I cant praise the family run business enough. Sarah and the team were so helpful, friendly and understanding, nothing was to much trouble. They didn't rush me to make decisions and helped me come up with ways to give my late wife the send off she deserved. From start to finish all the staff were amazing. Thank you.
• MS

  Michael Stabbins

  Aug 19, 2021
  5.0
  Excellent service and very professional. Extremely helpful.
• AR

  A Rossiter

  Jan 13, 2020
  5.0
  Sarah and the team were so supportive both in arranging and during my mum's funeral. A first class service.