J F Clarke & Son

120 reviews

Call 24 hours

J.F.Clarke & Son is an independent family funeral directors, in Axminster and the surrounding area. The family business has been established since 1880.

Funeral arrangements

  • Home visit
  • 24 hour telephone support
  • On-site parking
  • Chapel of rest
  • Hearse
  • Limousine
  • Horse-drawn hearse
  • Bespoke vehicle
  • Coffin
  • Personalised coffin
  • Casket
  • Headstone / Plaque
  • Urn
  • Memorial jewellery
  • Floral tributes
  • Charitable donations
  • Newspaper announcement
  • Online obituary
  • Memorial book
  • Order of service sheets
  • Music
  • Video tribute
  • Funeral webcasting
  • Catering
  • Dove release
  • Balloon release
  • Fireworks

Types of funeral

  • Traditional burial
  • Simple funeral
  • Traditional cremation
  • Green funeral
  • Direct cremation
  • Burial at sea
  • Non-religious funeral
  • Anglican funeral
  • Roman Catholic funeral
  • Muslim funeral
  • Jewish funeral
  • Sikh funeral
  • Hindu funeral
  • Buddhist funeral
  • Children’s funeral

Financial arrangements

  • Financial advice
  • Wills & probate
  • Pre-paid funeral plan

Additional services

  • Repatriation
  • Bereavement counselling
  • List of mourners

Location

Lyme Rd
Axminster
Devon
EX13 5BE

Open map

Opening Hours

Day Hours
Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

Professional Standards

  • NAFD Member

    Members agree to a published Code of Practice and can be held to account through the Association if something goes wrong.

    What they do

    • Inspects member premises to check standards are being met
    • Runs a complaints and resolution service for bereaved families
    • Provides funeral training and professional qualifications
  • SAIF Member

    Businesses are checked before they are admitted to SAIF and work to the Society’s Code of Practice.

    What they do

    • Inspects businesses before granting membership
    • Represents independent and family-owned funeral directors
    • Offers free, independent arbitration if something goes wrong

About Us

J.F. Clarke & Son has been established in Axminster since 1880. Roy Searle joined as an apprentice in 1972 and later became proprietor. In 1982, Simon Searle joined his father as an apprentice and worked at the family business until his retirement. In 2019, Simon entrusted his business to family funeral directors A.J. Wakely & Sons and continued working with A.J. Wakely & Sons until his retirement in 2022. J.F. Clarke & Son continues under the care of Simon Wakely.

J.F. Clarke & Son understand that the time following the loss of a loved one can be extremely difficult and confusing. It can also become overwhelming if you are the person responsible for arranging the funeral. Simon and staff will be there to guide you and offer assistance at every step. The sensitive and compassionate team will talk you through every step that needs to be taken whilst planning a loving tribute for your friend or family member. J.F. Clarke & Son can also assist with arranging details including funeral transport, floristry, coffins and ashes caskets, as well as a wide range of memorials.

J.F. Clarke & Son in Axminster are proud members of: National Association of Funeral Directors & The National Society of Allied & Independent Funeral Directors. Call them today to begin planning the perfect funeral for your loved one.

What Families Say

AI Summary

Many families emphasise how the staff guided them through arrangements with patience and care, taking decisions away from them at a time when they felt unable to manage such tasks themselves. Several describe being kept well informed throughout the process and feeling that nothing was too much trouble, with particular mention of how they were consulted at every stage rather than hurried into choices.

Families often comment on how the funeral day itself ran smoothly and without incident, with staff being professional yet personal in their approach. A number note that attention to detail—from flowers and music to smaller touches like honouring personal preferences—helped make the day meaningful despite the sadness.

Many describe feeling that their loved one was treated with dignity and respect from the moment they came into the funeral director's care, and that this reassurance during the earliest hours after a death was deeply important to them.

This summary is generated by AI from recent verified reviews.

Verified Reviews

Verified Reviews

  • 5 Lisa Keech 7th Oct 2025

    Excellent customer service at such a sensitive time . Nothing was ever too much trouble . All staff showed great empathy in a professional manor . We cannot thank you all enough . 

  • 5 Sam Seward 7th Oct 2025

    J F Clarke and son are a very professional, helpful, sympathetic and family run directors. In particular Greg and his Axminster team provided us with all the help and support anyone could wish for.

  • 5 Martin Johnson 29th Aug 2025

    Professional, helpful and personal service throughout.

  • 5 Brenda Vickery 27th Aug 2025

    Very helpful , very friendly , very kind .

  • 5 Ann Drake 27th Aug 2025

    Simon, Lindsey and their Team were superb, throughout the two and a half weeks, we were planning and arranging my Husband Richard's Funeral.
    Everything was very personal and they guided us through this painful time, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.

  • 5 Audrey Gollop 10th Aug 2025

    Excellent service, every thing went like clock work.
    Funeral Directors very professional. Would thoroughly
    recommend.

  • 5 Tony Thompson 5th Aug 2025

    A very professional service from beginning to end. Knowledgable on all the steps to ensurte a smooth process.

  • 5 John Richardson 30th Jul 2025

    Kind, caring , thoughtful and so helpful, one could want no more at a difficult and emotional time 

  • 5 Jenny Lunt 30th Jul 2025

    Close observation of my mother's requests and attention to detail made for a very meaningful and special day despite the sadness. Thank you

  • 5 Sarah Herridge 12th Jul 2025

    Very happy with the service, nothing to much trouble, Lindsey was particularly good, very sympathetic

  • 5 Linda Smith 25th Jun 2025

    I contacted J F Clarke and Son after the sad passing of my husband. Greg came out to see us and discuss arranging the funeral. Greg listened and gave us time to talk and think about what we wanted. My husband had a Jazz Band and we wanted to give him a send off with band members past and present leading the hearse. Greg was able to reassure us that this could be done.
    We were kept updated on when my husband was bought back to the Chapel of Rest and Greg made arrangements for the Church Minister to contact us.
    Greg along with Lyndsey in the office worked with us on the Order of Service ensuring that we got what we wanted printed.
    The Funeral went smoothly on the day and everyone said what a lovely service it was.
    As a family we are very pleased that we chose J F Clarke and Son.
    Thank you Greg and Lyndsey.

  • 5 Yasmine Willcox 3rd Jun 2025

    Lynsey is absolutely incredible, at such a terrible time nothing is too much trouble. Everything was organised so well and we were kept updated. Thank you so much!

  • 5 Lesley Phillips 2nd Jun 2025

    The staff at J F Clarke & Son guided and supported our family through Dad’s funeral arrangements every step of the way. They were always very respectful and very caring. It helped us to get ourselves ready emotionally for the day without having to worry about the details. They were always very professional but with a personal touch.

  • 5 Lucy Ashley 2nd Jun 2025

    Thank you so much for your sensitive and highly professional handling of my brother’s funeral. By taking the lead and coordinating directly with all the necessary services, you eased much of the stress that naturally comes with such a difficult time. Your calm presence and discreet professionalism on the day brought a sense of reassurance and helped us cope with our sadness. We are very grateful. Thank you.

  • 5 Michael Edwards 1st May 2025

    Very helpful, friendly and compassionate staff during a time of grief. Thank you.

  • 5 Sarah Holdsworth 1st Apr 2025

    Thank you for your kind, thoughtful and excellent service at all times throughout the painful process of a loved one's passing. From that day to the funeral service and being laid to rest, all was kindly arranged according to the family's wishes, in the best and most professional way.
    Next of kin, Sarah

  • 5 Mike Sebastian 1st Apr 2025

    Extremely helpful and very pleasant, providing an excellent service.

  • 5 Kay Pendleton 6th Mar 2025

    The whole process was caring and thoughtful. Nothing was too much trouble. They were always on hand to answer any questions 
    A difficult time made as easy as possible 

  • 5 David Westlake 31st Jan 2025

    Very professional, helpful and supportive during a difficult time. Leah worked with us as a family suggesting ideas and following our wishes at every stage. Everyone in the company who we dealt with (including those collecting my mother in the earkly hours and the staff in the office) were so kind, helpful and respectful.

  • 5 Craig Trivett 23rd Dec 2024

    Excellent service and guidance throughout, couldn't have done any more to help.

  • 5 Fiona Benger 3rd Dec 2024

    Very helpful, understanding and nothing was too much trouble.

  • 5 Jane Downes 3rd Dec 2024

    JF Clarke have been so good to me. The whole team have been professional, respectful, compassionate, very understanding and so patient with me. Lindsey and Leah guided me through everything and came up with so many helpful suggestions in all aspects of my Fathers service. Their attention to detail helped make my Fathers funeral unique and special to us. They made a difficult time a little easier knowing that everything was taken care of.

  • 4 Jenny Boniface 30th Oct 2024

    Everyone was very understanding and helpful all through the process and the cremation day went very smoothly. I’m relieved it’s all over but they made it as stress free as possible. 

  • 5 Jane Phillips 29th Oct 2024

    JF Clarke and son are such a professional organisation who really care about you as a family, and work so hard to ensure that the funeral is perfect for your loved one and you. We felt listened to, safe, guided and cared for throughout. 

  • 5 Michelle Latcham 7th Oct 2024

    Caring and compassionate team at jf Clarke and sons Axminster. Nothing was ever too much trouble at a time as a  grieving family we needed support and guidance.  

Address
Lyme Rd
Axminster
Devon
EX13 5BE

Open map

Opening Hours

Day Hours
Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

Professional Standards

  • NAFD Member

    Members agree to a published Code of Practice and can be held to account through the Association if something goes wrong.

    What they do

    • Inspects member premises to check standards are being met
    • Runs a complaints and resolution service for bereaved families
    • Provides funeral training and professional qualifications
  • SAIF Member

    Businesses are checked before they are admitted to SAIF and work to the Society’s Code of Practice.

    What they do

    • Inspects businesses before granting membership
    • Represents independent and family-owned funeral directors
    • Offers free, independent arbitration if something goes wrong

Latest Verified Reviews

Lisa Keech 7th Oct 2025

Excellent customer service at such a sensitive time . Nothing was ever too much trouble . All staff showed great empathy in a professional manor . We cannot thank you all enough . 

Sam Seward 7th Oct 2025

J F Clarke and son are a very professional, helpful, sympathetic and family run directors. In particular Greg and his Axminster team provided us with all the help and support anyone could wish for.

Martin Johnson 29th Aug 2025

Professional, helpful and personal service throughout.

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