Choosing the Right Funeral Director: Why It Matters

If you’re finding yourself reading this review of Evergreens because someone you love has passed away, I’m so sorry for your loss. I did the same thing when my father passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in November 2024. I reached out to Evergreens as two of my family members, my Auntie and my Cousin were also looked after by Evergreens but I had no part in their arrangements. When I first called Evergreens, I spoke to Steve and he promptly pulled over from driving to take my call. When I explained that my father was born and bred in Hull but passed in Durham, the moment Steve said “and you’ll be bringing him home”, I knew Evergreens were for us.

Evergreens don’t have big leather arm chairs or fancy gold lettering on their office windows, but what we received in care and understanding from them far surpassed our expectations and any fancy office.

My father was a Priest and had worked with Evergreens before, only two months before his passing when he led his sisters funeral. So when they brought my dear Dad from Durham for us, and they told us he recognised him, this made me feel so comforted.

Evergreens were understanding of our circumstance and gave guidance and allowed my brother and I to take our time making some decisions of my fathers funeral. It was the first time either of us were involved in the planning. We didn’t feel rushed or pressured and they answered all our questions.

We had initially been told by a local funeral directors in Durham who had collected my father that he may not be viewable. I’m sure if you’re reading this and are in that position, it’s an extremely upsetting thing to be told and to process. But Evergreens set our expectations and told us that he was indeed viewable. They put my father in his suit of choice. It was my first time seeing someone who had passed, but Steve and his team were so lovely and respectful with my Dad. I gave a picture of my father that was taken a few months prior and they trimmed his beard perfectly. He looked like my Dad, just sleeping. He looked so handsome in his suit. I had plenty of time with him, as did other family members.

On the day of my fathers funeral, the care and respect given was second to none, even allowing my fathers beloved dog to join us in the car, and at the church service with permission from the church. His funeral was perfect. At the end, we were not rushed to leave as we said goodbye to family that couldn’t join the continuation of the celebration of my fathers life with food and drink nearby. They dropped us off at our venue without hesitation.

Evergreens also advised us to have my father cremated at Lelley Fields. I personally picked up my father’s ashes less than a week later and the grounds and staff were wonderful, even offering for us to come back when we want his ashes transferred, which is free of charge. Dogs are also welcome on the beautiful grounds at Lelley Fields.

I’m sorry you find yourself making a hard decision. Sadly none of us want to think about our loved ones funeral and organising goodbyes. I hope I never have to use a funeral directors again, but death being inevitable for everyone we love, I know it’s something I will have to sadly do again. And when I do, I wouldn’t hesitate to use the care of Evergreens again.

Steve and team, you’ve left a precious everlasting mark on the memory of my Dad, and for that I thank you all.

Like many people looking for a funeral director for a family member for the first time, I approached a few local funeral directors but Evergreen stood out head and shoulders above everyone else. From the first enquiry to collecting the ashes after the cremation, Gary & Steve were professional, friendly and understanding to my individual needs. Everything was explained to me in non jargon language and all queries were answered with honesty and compassion. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Evergreen to anyone looking for a funeral director in Hull and the surrounding areas. Thank you for everything.

Many thanks to Gary and Steve for the support and compassion they extended to us in the arranging of my fathers funeral
Evergreen funeral services are outstanding and professional in all aspects so many thanks again for a lovely bespoke funeral
Would very highly recommend
Thanks
Neil and Emma

Can't believe it was only 7 days ago we laud our mother to rest.

Just want take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to Evergreen Funeral Services , they was truly amazing with sorting everything even though i was annoying to make it perfectfor our mother, plus the effort they put in to make our life's easier so we could grieve was beyond anything. Plus getting our mother ashes back to me today was truly appreciated.

I can't thank them enough.

Truly amazing, professional, and so understanding 👏 🙌

We recently used evergreen for the funeral of my husband. From that first phone call they were friendly and respective of our grief. They reassured us that my husband would be well looked after. Even after he was there I rang for something and they said no problem. Garry and all the staff couldn't have been any nicer. Alastair who did the service for us was very helpful in getting a good impression of my husbands life and likes . Thankyou for making a very difficult time less painfull.

My Son's funeral that was in 2020, was perfect! Evergreen went out their way and catered every need that was required of them. 5 years on, I asked them for a forgotten piece of music which was played on my Son's entry into the Chapel. A friend of mine wanted it for her Husbands funeral. Steve went out of his way on a Saturday to chase it up from the funeral computer and was able to give it to me. They are the Best!

Thank you for handling my mums cremation with such dignity care and respect couldn't have chosen a better funeral director for my mums cremation. Thank you for everything you have done xx

We recently used the services of Evergreen for our dad. From the very first phone call we were reassured that our dad would be treated with the upmost dignity and care and throughout the process we continued to feel that reassurance. It has been, the most difficult time in our lives, so having the care and professionalism from Gary and the whole team really did help to ease our grief somewhat.
Gary suggested Mike as a celebrant for dads funeral, thank you for this, he managed to capture our dad so well and gave him the best send off we could have wished for.
Thank you to the whole team for everything.

Can't thank Gary and all the team at Evergreen enough, 1st class service and very caring and understanding

The services provided were excellent from start to finish. Gary is an extremely personable, likeable person. I highly recommend this business.

A much belated review of being resqued by Evergreen at a traumatic time when my Mum died made worse by problems dealing with my chosen crematorium. Ellie persisted with giving my Mum the funeral she would have wanted even ringing me from a wedding on her day off with news of progress! Evergreen showed such respect & flexibility over my funeral wishes and what I was able to afford and I am deeply grateful. Thank you so much.

This was our first time using Evergreen and oh my the whole team were just simply amazing. Nothing was too much trouble they let us take our time on our first visit to them, to giving us time and space with our loved one. They had done an amazing job with my Pops and he just looked like 'him'. Even though it was a team effort no matter who I saw or spoke to always made feel welcome and at ease but I must say thank you to Stephen as he was the main man on the day .... Thank you, thank you to you all. You made what isn't a great experience in life a while lot easier and nicer xx