Couple’s cremation plans with Hull firm are ‘left in limbo’
AN elderly couple say they have been “left in limbo” and fear they could lose £5,000 after paying upfront for two cremation plans through Hull funeral director Heavenly Services.
The future of the funeral service appears in doubt after the sad death of owner Simon Woolston earlier this month with the couple saying they have been told the company will close its doors today.
There are reports a number of funeral directors are taking on customers who were with Heavenly Services and the office in Hessle Road was shuttered up earlier this week.
Now the couple, 73 and 74 years old, say they have not heard what is happening with their cremation plan and whether they will get a refund if the funeral service does close.
The woman, of west Hull, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “We took two cremation plans out with Heavenly Services two weeks ago.
“I read the story in the Hull Daily Mail about the woman who was told to pick her partner up from Heavenly Services as they could not do the funeral anymore.
“I became concerned about what was happening and I have tried to get in touch with Heavenly Services.
“They are not actually doing anything at the moment and I was told they are closing permanently.
“They gave me an email to contact regarding my concerns, but I haven’t heard back yet.”
The woman explained the tragic reason behind the decision to pay for cremation plans up front.
She said: “My granddaughter died aged just 35 recently and I saw the issues my daughter had in trying to make the funeral arrangements. We didn’t want her to go through that with us when it is our time.
“We paid £4,884 up front for the cremation plans and we are worried now we will lose the money.
“We were told that someone will get in touch from accounts in the next two weeks. We just want our money back.
“We don’t know where we stand and we have been left in limbo. We don’t know what safeguards are in place to pay back people if the funeral service does close.”
The issues for the couple come after a grieving woman was contacted by Heavenly Services to get her partner “picked up” as they were no longer able to do his service.
Sonya Smith, 41, had organised Heavenly Funeral Services to handle the cremation and service for her partner Rich Birch, 51, who died from a burst brain aneurysm on October 3. Rich collapsed in front of his nine-yearold son, Riley, and Sonya, and the family agreed to have his organs donated.
The heartbroken mum has been struggling to cope with the death of her partner, and said she received a phone call last week which felt like “being kicked when I was already down”.
The funeral home had already had Rich’s body for a week at the time of the call, and Sonya’s appointment was due to take place the following day to discuss the funeral arrangements.
She said: “I was taking my son to school when I got a phone call from a not very sympathetic and abrupt voice said ‘I’m sorry but we are not able to do the funeral anymore and we want you to get him picked up.’
“I was just so shocked. I don’t even remember what I said in response. I felt like saying ‘what on earth am I supposed to do, send a taxi?’
His funeral, was handled by Mike East Funeral Services, and took place yesterday.
The couple saw the article and have since contacted Mike East Funeral Services for advice.
A spokesman for Mike East Funeral Services said: “We listened to her and tried to see what we can do and provide any advice. They may need to look at the paper work to see if a third party is involved and where they stand.
“We have had a couple of customers from Heavenly Services contact us, but we do not know what is happening. It is a difficult situation for everyone.”
Hull Live has made numerous attempts to contact Heavenly Services for a comment on the current situation but there has been no response so far.
I became concerned about what was happening at the moment and I was told they are closing permanently Heavenly Services customer