Poor initial service

1

25/11/2019

Gallagher Funeral Services gave me a poor service for which I was charged £300. I ended up using a different funeral service. Just days after I said that I would use them for dads funeral, they were unavailable at the weekend to collect fathers clothes, saying they didn't work weekends even though their website said they did. As I needed to go back home to Kent, from Leeds this was very inconvenient. When they eventually came for my fathers clothes on the Monday, a lady came dressed very casually, not looking professional and not having any paperwork such as contract or paperwork for dads clothes. She also made insensitive comments about how my fathers body would look. I decided then and there not to use them any further. GFS booked a day and time at the crematorium and I paid them £300 for work, they said, that was done . Otherwise they would not transfer that day and time to my new funeral director which would have made things difficult as family and friends had already been informed. GFS said this was all written down in the contract/terms and conditions (which they had not given me). I wrote to GFS explaining my point of view and expected an apology. The letter they sent me in reply had some very insulting and insensitive comments relating to my deceased fathers home and they did not acknowledge that I had not been given a contract (which I understand that all reputable funeral directors should give you.) I was very disappointed in GFS attitude as I had initially been attracted to them because they said they did a "Veterans Funeral", which is what my father was but I did not find them respectful to my father or sensitive to me at my time of bereavement. I took the matter to the National Association of Funeral Directors and they upheld my complaint and reprimanded/& or gave GFS advice.

complaint upheld by the NAFD

1

14/11/2019

I did not use Gallagher for dads funeral as a few days after agreeing to use them I found there attitude and appearance unprofessional so chose another funeral service. Gallagher did not give me any written information about the costs and I didn't sign any agreement. The only work they did for me is on the day I saw them; they telephoned the crematorium and arranged time and date of dads funeral. When I asked to transfer this time and date they said they would do so after I paid £300 for work done. As there was no other time available at the crematorium and family and friends had been informed I did not feel able to change the date. I contacted them and tried to discuss this with them but they were adamant that this was the cost in the agreement (which I had no copy of and did see or sign). I told them I would complain to the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) Gallagher didn't enter into any further correspondence with me regarding this or offer an apology. The NAFD upheld my complaint about and was going to "advice or reprimand them". The NAFD told me I should seek redress for the £300 from the "Small Claims Court". Gallagher may say that they are open for me to contact them but I have tried to do this but got nowhere that is why I took them to the NAFD who thoroughly investigated Gallagher and found that they contravened professional standards. Gallagher still have not contacted me with an apology.

Fantastic service

5

09/11/2018

I cannot say enough good things about the excellent service we got. Philip was a calm, kind, supportive figure throughout. They were helpful with any bureaucratic complications. It felt like they were always going the extra mile, and they created us the perfect service with an amazing celebrant. An unreserved recommendation from me.

Absolutely fantastic service from start to finish

5

24/05/2017

So kind and caring.couldn't have asked for more.from start to finish Philip and his team were so attentive to detail.thank you.

outstanding support

5

19/04/2017

Philip the funeral director went above and beyond all of my expectations to help make my son's funeral run as smoothly as possible. I am forever grateful for the support I received during the most difficult time of my life. I have no qualms in recommending this service.