News and Events Updates - Last Wishes Funerals

Arrival by Rickshaw

LWFwebmaster2023-02-13T15:35:56+00:00February 13th, 2023|news|Comments Off

Dead Good Cakes ‘n’ Chat – Saturday 11th September 10.30am

We need to chat
about death & dying
without being “shushed”

so join us on

Saturday 11th September for a 10.30am start

Lifecycle Ceremonies, Hawthorn Terrace
New Earswick, York YO32 4BL

Limited spaces, please call 01904 763335 to book.

www.lifecycleceremonies.co.uk

LWFwebmaster2023-07-10T09:46:21+00:00August 26th, 2021|news|Comments Off

York’s Dead Good Festival 2019

York’s Dead Good Festival

A Festival for the Living 10th-19th May 2019

We recognise that, as a society, we’re not particularly good at talking about dying, death and bereavement. This festival will help people express themselves in different ways, whilst giving advice and support on a number of practical matters. Our festival is part of a network of events across the UK for Dying Matters Awareness Week.

Download York’s Dead Good Festival PDF Brochure HERE

May 14th – FUNERAL PLANNING INFORMATION

TALK

TIME 10am-11am

VENUE Bramley Room New Earswick Folk Hall Hawthorn Terrace, York YO32 4AQ

BOOK No booking required

INFO Chris Dudzinska · 07824 639244 chris@lastwishesfunerals. co.uk

Come and join this informal, not-at-all morbid session to find out about the many choices for funerals, of which most people are unaware. Discover how funerals can be more meaningful and, at the same time, not cost the earth.

May 16th – DEAD GOOD CAKE ’N’ CHAT

DISCUSSION

TIME 3pm-4pm

VENUE Kings Manor, Room K/G 84 University of York Exhibition Square, York YO1 7EP

BOOK No booking required

INFO Chris Dudzinska · 07824 639244 chris@lastwishesfunerals. co.uk

People are beginning to talk openly about death and dying, and this is a chance to gain information and dispel long-held myths and taboos. This is the perfect opportunity for people to meet up and have a chat whilst becoming informed: and enjoying tea and cake! Thinking about the inevitable in advance ensures good preparation for us and our families, and better choices to suit our individual needs. This is not a bereavement group, but a chance to speak freely about any aspects of death or dying whether good or not quite so good.

LWFwebmaster2019-04-19T10:00:44+00:00April 19th, 2019|news|Comments Off

Folk Hall Monday 4th March

Join us on Monday 4th March at The Folk Hall HAWTHORN TERRACE, NEW EARSWICK, YORK YO32 4AQ

A group of women helping other women facing life’s highs and lows, with practical information and professional yet sensitive support.

10 to 11 am
MAKING KEEPSAKE ART – with Sarah Jackson of Winifred Taylor Ltd
‘Don’t keep them in a drawer or box – bring them out and enjoy them’
07899 092299 www.winifredtaylor.co.uk

11.15 am to 12.15 pm
‘Companion for the living at their end’
07999 880163 [email protected]

12.30 to 1.30 pm
CELEBRATING LOVE & LIFE – with Julie Kay
“Planning & creating a Baby Naming, Wedding or Funeral ceremony & other occasions”
07889 573217 www.humanist.org.uk/juliekay

2.15 to 3 pm
HOME ORGANISER – with Anne Wyn-Jones
“Practical and sensitive support when needed”
07885 729759 www.idealliving.co.uk

3.15 to 4.15 pm
FUNERAL PLANNING AND INFORMATION – with Chris Dudzinska of Last Wishes Funerals
‘Women are beginning to play a larger part in organising funerals. Find out how – and also how to keep costs down’
07824 639244 www.lastwishesfunerals.co.uk

Download the PDF FOLK HALL advert March 2019

LWFwebmaster2023-02-14T20:24:44+00:00February 8th, 2019|news|Comments Off

Upcoming Events

50+Festival Information Fair
Tuesday 11th September at The Spurriergate Centre,York, YO1 9QR
10am till 3pm
Admission free
Last Wishes Funerals offers a very personal, independent funeral arranging service, set up to meet your needs with care and kindness. Exploring alternative ideas enables us to keep a keen eye on costs.

A follow up event takes place on Friday 5th October at The Folk Hall, New Earswick, York, YO32 4AQ. 10.30am till 4pm

10.30am to 11.15am DEAD GOOD CAKE ‘ n’ CHAT
With Chris Dudzinska of Last Wishes Funerals
An opportunity to freely discuss any questions about death and bereavement, whilst enjoying tea and cake from the lovely café.
www.lastwishesfunerals.co.uk

[email protected]
01653 627 170 07824 639 244

11.30am to 12.15pm

11.30am to 12.15pm KEEPSAKE ART
With Sarah Jackson of Winifred Taylor Ltd
Sarah helps people create pieces of art from memorabilia that you can’t bear to discard but don’t quite have a place for. Creations to celebrate significant life events. www.winifredtaylor.co.uk [email protected]
07899 092 299

12.30pm to 1.15pm Ideal Living, supporting and assisting clients through the moving home process from start to finish. With Anne Wyn-Jones of Ideal Living.

Enquiries: [email protected] / www.idealliving.co.uk

Tel: (07885 729 759)

LWFwebmaster2023-02-14T20:24:44+00:00September 10th, 2018|news|Comments Off

A perfect opportunity for people to meet and have an informal chat about death and dying without being ‘shushed’ Dispel the taboos, become informed – whilst enjoying tea and cake!

Taking place on Thursday 11 October, 2pm at York Explore Library, Museum Street, York, YO1 7DS. It is free, but please book.

Book online at www.exploreyork.org.uk/bigcityread or at your local library

Download The Big City Read 2018 Brochure HERE

LWFwebmaster2018-09-07T17:45:58+00:00September 7th, 2018|news|Comments Off

York’s Dead Good Festival

A Festival for the Living 14th-20th May 2018

Please note, events are free to attend unless stated. For further information please visit www.stleonardshospice.org.uk or download the PDF document below.

Dead Good Festival 2018 – PDF Document

Dead Good Festival A4 – PDF Document

LWFwebmaster2018-05-05T17:47:25+00:00April 11th, 2018|news|Comments Off

Dead Good Cake ‘n Chat: 24th September 2016

cake

 Date: Saturday 24 th Sept 2016

 Time: 2.30 till 4 pm

 Venue: Briar House Resources, Club Chambers, Museum St, York, YO1 7DN

 Hosted by: Chris Dudzinska of Last Wishes Funerals (01653 627 170)

 Guest: Anne Wynn-Jones of Ideal Living

 Cost: £5.00 to cover expenses, to include tea and cake

People are beginning to talk openly about death and dying, and this is a chance to gain information and dispel long-held myths and taboos. It seems bizarre that we have kept death behind closed doors for so long, tiptoeing around the inevitable, but now there is the perfect opportunity for people to meet up to have an informal chat whilst becoming informed – and enjoying tea and cake!

This is not a bereavement group, but a chance to speak freely about any aspects of death or dying whether good or not quite so good. We hope, between us, to answer questions and help the discussion around what we would like at the end – before the end. Thinking about the inevitable in advance ensures good preparation for us and our families, and better choices to suit our individual needs.

A selection of teas, coffee and cakes (gluten and dairy-free) will be provided. Next Dead Good Cake ‘n Chat, March 2017, date to be advised.

Last Wishes Funerals is an alternative and ethical funeral business advising on and offering choices – not packages – to suit you.

LWFwebmaster2018-05-05T17:51:22+00:00September 21st, 2016|news|Comments Off

Before I Die – Dying Matters, 7-8 May 2016 (2)

BID Flyer 2016 Final Final Inside

Chris Dudzinska2018-05-05T17:53:52+00:00April 13th, 2016|news|Comments Off

Before I Die – Dying Matters, 7-8 May 2016

BID Flyer 2016 Final Final Cover

Chris Dudzinska2018-05-05T17:51:53+00:00April 13th, 2016|news|Comments Off

12 Next

Andrew, Tracey and the Carter Family

You have been a most wonderful and supportive part of our lives in 2023. You’ve held our hands and guided us sensitively through a difficult time and helped us to craft the best send offs that we could have given to mum then dad. So many people commented how wonderful, personal and poignant the services were. We will be forever grateful for everything you have done for us.

Jonathan

Finally, may I say how well you handled all this? Thank you so much. It really has been an uplifting experience, as several have said to me, and could have been so much worse. Your happy, smiling face just seemed to smooth things along the way! Well done.

The Mansell family

Thank you Chris for a wonderful, empathetic service. You were kind, understanding and very supportive in honouring our wishes for our darling Rupert. Even though it was a sad situation for us all. You turned it into a moment to remember with grace and calm. And I know Rupert would have been happy in how his cremation was handled. Many thanks.

Richard James Gregory

We are very grateful to Chris for the warm, sympathetic and professional way that she supported us through dealing with the death of our dear brother. She was very responsive to our needs and made helpful suggestions, such as the choice of music at the funeral. We wanted it to be informal and personal for the family and she helped us to achieve just that. The experience was much easier to deal with because of Chris. Thank you again.

Judith Oates

Chris demystified the whole business of funeral planning, and offered advice on so many issues that I’d previously been scared to even think about – from the choice of coffins , where to hold a funeral, -prices – burials/ cremations -any relevant aspect you may want to discuss about your own or someone else’s funeral. A kind friendly understanding chat.. I thoroughly recommend a talk with her when needed

Djamilla Hitchins

When my mother died we decided we wanted to try and make all the arrangements ourselves without a funeral director. We were able to do this but I’m not sure we would have succeeded without Chris. When we started out she drove to our house, which was not that local to her, and talked us through the process even though we were not asking her to arrange the funeral. She was entirely generous with her time and advice. She was straightforward and practical and made us believe we could succeed. And when we hit a brick wall or two during the process she was always on the end of the phone with an immediate solution.

In the future when I remember this last week – filling in forms, talking to crematoriums and finally achieving what we wanted for my mother – I will always think of Chris and what she did. She feels like a friend who helped us at time when we really needed it. We will always be grateful to her.

Jane Duncan Rogers

Chris of Last Wishes was nothing short of brilliant in how she helped us, both when my Dad died and then my Mum very soon after. Her attention to detail, knowledge and intention to give us good value for money was outstanding. Even to the point of bringing her own bamboo trestles for the coffins, by far the nicest I have seen. It is this kind of thoughtfulness and her good communication that made a difficult time so much easier.

I highly recommend Last Wishes, who simply want to give you what you want, with great service, and at the best possible price.

I. Knight, York

It has been a pleasure and a relief to meet you to discuss my funeral wishes with
you. It has been so much easier to talk about the details with you than with my daughter – however close we may feel. And yet, on the day, the details matter, and will help the funeral go smoothly and with dignity. My dearest wish is to cause my daughter as little distress and worry as possible.
I could not wish for anybody better than you to deal with the practical and necessary details regarding my bodily remains. It is reassuring to know that people like you – and your family – are there when needed the most.

Chris Robertshaw

Just to simply say that Chris provided everything and more that my dear wife, Nicky would have wanted. Nicky’s bywords were ‘be the best you can be’ and Chris and Georgina (the Celebrant), left the family and myself feeling uplifted that we had done just that. I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to them both for the way everything was done without fuss, without formality – just with love and empathy. Every single person at the service said what a wonderful service it was and how well it matched Nicky’s warm and loving personality. My deepest heart-felt thanks. Chris, Esme and Kit.

Jane Duncan Rogers

That meeting you had with my sister, my Mum and Dad and me was just great Chris. Thank you so much. You clearly led us through all the different options in a practical but kind and compassionate manner. My parents are both alive still, but facing up to their end of life, and you were able to support them in doing this by facilitating them choosing what they wanted for their funeral. Surprisingly, it felt like we were organising a party! I think that is testament to how you were with us. I will be recommending you to everyone I know!

Sarah, York

I just wanted to say a massive thank you to you for helping us to arrange Tricia’s funeral, for all the effort you put in and the advice you offered. I remember how well you handled my friend Ian’s mum’s funeral in May last year, and so was delighted to find out that you would be free to help us say goodbye to Tricia. You were very accommodating and sensitive to our wishes and it was obvious that you put a lot of time and effort into getting to understand us as a family, and Tricia as a person, even though you’d never met her. Your reassuring presence on the day itself made sure everything went as smoothly as these things should. It was the prefect send-off for my rather quirky sister.

Rhoda

I’d like to express my appreciation for the lovely service you organised yesterday. So many friends and relations have said how moving and special it was for them.

Nothing can replace my loving daughter, but I now have memorable tributes to look back on.

With heartfelt thanks,

Christine, Urmston, Manchester

Just want to thank you so much for all your help and comfort just when I
needed it. I really didn’t know what I was doing and felt lost but you sorted
me and my girls out which is very much appreciated. I will definitely tell
family and friends how easy you made things flow, and I really wanted my
Howard in the hands of someone with empathy and who was spiritual. It
gave me comfort.

Victoria, Emma, Dawn and Ian, York

Just a note to thank you for all of your kind words of advice, help and
patience whilst dealing with our mother’s funeral. It really was the most
difficult time of our lives. However, you made it simple, straightforward and
reassured us kindly along the way.

Priscilla, York

The service was beautiful and I/we cannot thank you enough. And there are
no words.

Yvonne, Swanland, E Yorks

I know I said it on the day but I just had to drop you a line to make sure you
know just how grateful I am that you agreed to arrange Mummy’s funeral
(Oakworth, Keighley). It was just right.

Tricia and Tony Hornsea

Words can’t express our appreciation and gratitude for all your personal
help and support Chris. You’ve made a very difficult and sad time so much
easier. Thank you

Chris and Laura Nr Selby

Just wanted to say a huge thank you for today and for all your hard work
that made today as special as it was. We really couldn't of wished for
anything more and everyone said it was such a special send off for Gordon.
You really gave it that personal touch which meant a lot and you
should keep doing what you are doing! I want to take this opportunity to say
how touched we were in your approach towards us, you really are a
wonderful lady. We will definitely recommend you to anyone in the future.

Paul Medley

With Chris’s help, we were able to create a woodland funeral which met all our wishes. Chris was very sensitive and supportive, helping us through this difficult time. Thank you Chris.

Diana Mason

Our family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Chris after the tragic loss of our son/brother/fiancé.
Her patience and understanding from start to finish enabled us to create a loving and personal farewell, and, at our request, a peaceful, warm, non religious ceremony.
Chris went above and beyond, being always available and making last minute changes for us.
We could not have got through it without her.
Many, many thanks.

Rosalind A Maggs

We had a lovely funeral for my mother, thanks to Chris, who was kind, caring and very helpful. We wanted a small, personal family funeral with refreshments at Middlethorpe Hall and it turned out to be a very happy day – a celebration of Mum’s life in which all the family took part. Chris was sensitive to our wishes and helped us every step of the way. A big thank you.

Sharon Erridge

Chris was amazingly helpful without being patronising.We had the personal funeral we wanted for my parents.(double funeral being unusual).would recommend her services very highly.

Ian Richardson

Chris made it so easy to conform to the wishes of my wife to have a very special funeral. It was as perfect a funeral as one could wish for.
Thank you for your help and understanding.

Maureen, Malton.

Chris has a very sensitive and understanding approach.

Martin, Malton

I would like to thank Chris on behalf of myself and my brother for the lovely way she organised our mother’s funeral. She was very helpful and sympathetic and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to anyone who might need her assistance .

Jean, Durham

Arranging my son’s funeral was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. A friend recommended Last Wishes as a funeral director who specialises in treating their customers as individuals.
Chris helped me to plan the day so that I could give my boy the kind of ceremony he would have wanted. She and her team helped with suggestions and explained the costs so that while the event was dignified and unique it was also kept to an affordable budget. It was a comfort to be so well cared for at a very painful time. I would like to say thank you to Chris and her colleagues at Last Wishes you made a difficult time a little easier to bear.

Trisha ,Jim, family and all of Andys friends, York

Thank you so much for your support and kindness during an unexpected and sad time. You made everything so easy for us and we all will be eternally thankful. You did my nephew proud. No doubt about that you are a true testament to the work that you do and I truly believe that you were meant to be where you are today. Thank you Chris and Catherine.