A J Wakely & Sons, Bridport

349 reviews

Call 24 hours

A family-run funeral director in Bridport that has been providing an independent funeral director service to the bereaved since 1897.

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

91 East Street
Bridport
Dorset
DT6 3LB

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

A.J.Wakely & Sons Bridport is a family-run funeral director in Bridport that has been providing an independent funeral director service to the bereaved since 1897.

After starting as wheelwrights and undertakers Arthur and Ernie Wakely opened their funeral directors in Broadwindsor. Jack Wakely followed in the footsteps of his uncles and in 1970 opened his first office in Bridport.

Today the Bridport office is managed by Simon Wakely (Jack's grandson), supported by Clive Wakely and their experienced and dedicated team; Tim Nickels and Chris Legg as funeral directors along with Angela and Amanda who manage the day-to-day running of the office.

AJ Wakely & Sons, Bridport, 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 his compassionate team will be there to guide and offer assistance at every step. The experienced staff will sensitively talk you through the necessary steps that need to be taken whilst also beginning to plan a fitting tribute for your friend or family member. If you desire, AJ Wakely can also assist with arranging the finer details including transport, floristry, coffins and ashes caskets, as well as memorials.

A.J.Wakely & Sons 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 the care and compassion they received throughout the funeral arrangements, describing staff as kind, understanding and genuinely supportive during an emotionally difficult time. Several note how they were guided patiently through each step, with nothing treated as too much trouble, and how this attentiveness helped make the process manageable.

Families often describe the funeral day itself running smoothly and seamlessly, with meticulous attention to detail in every aspect of the service. Many mention feeling confident that arrangements were under control, allowing them to focus on saying goodbye rather than worrying about organisation.

A number of reviews highlight the quality of communication throughout, with staff keeping families informed at each stage, responding promptly to questions, and taking time to listen to their wishes and preferences for how the service should reflect their loved one's life.

This summary is generated by AI from recent verified reviews.

Verified Reviews

Verified Reviews

  • 5 Teresa Wheeler 21st Oct 2026

    Our family would like to say a big thank you to Simon and his  team for the caring manor in which they managed the funeral arrangements and helped us through this difficult time after the death of our lovely mum.
    We appreciate all you did for us .
     Teresa Wheeler and siblings 

  • 5 Brian Sharp 29th Sep 2026

    I and Jennifer’s daughter's would like to thank for the sensitive way you collected Jennifer from the house and the professional way you organised and managed Jennifer’s internment 

  • 5 Emma Austin 29th Sep 2026

    Very helpful 

  • 5 Philip Summerton 15th Sep 2026

    James and the team provided a. Very kind and considerate service making a very difficult time more bearable.

  • 5 John Oldridge 14th Sep 2026

    Very impressed with AJ Wakely & Sons whether it be the respectful collection of my mother after her passing to the professionalism of Funeral Director Chris Legg at Bridport who with his team managed and oversaw the cremation, memorial service and internment of he ashes.
    I would highly rate and recommend AJ Wakely & sons.

  • 5 Jo Foley 2nd Sep 2026

    We have used AJ Wakely & Sons, Bridport  twice in the last 8 months. Chris was absolutely incredible each time. Highly professional, compassionate and supportive. Thank you 

  • 5 Karen Larsen 28th Aug 2026

    Simon and his whole team were so helpful, friendly and supportive. We relied on them for advice, guidance and support and they went above and beyond to be helpful during a difficult time. Highly recommend 

  • 5 Marion Sandford 27th Aug 2026

    Simon is very compassionate and sympathetic.  The funeral arrangements went very well and there was no stress.  He willingly accommodated all our requests.

    Simon and our parish priest made things very easy.

  • 5 Jon Barrett 27th Aug 2026

    A.J.wakely & Sons made the whole process beautiful and bearable. They were kind and professional from the beginning to the funeral. They listened and made the funeral exactly how we wanted. At such a hard time we couldn't have wished for better support.

  • 5 Phillip Pyefinch 27th Aug 2026

    A J Wakely & Sons are without doubt the most professional, compassionate, caring, polite, people I have ever met. Simon Wakely organised every part of my wife’s funeral with such kindness and compassion and gave me and my late wife the best service and final farewell I could have wished for. I can not express my gratitude and thanks enough. If you have need of a funeral service please give them a try you will not be disappointed.

  • 5 Penny Laurence 7th Aug 2026

    Every thing I asked for was perfectly arranged and the staff arranging it were sympathetic and helpful.

  • 5 Michael Ray 6th Aug 2026

    I found A J Wakely & Sons to be knowledgable, professional, sensitive, and well organised. They'll guide you through. 

  • 5 George Dunn 5th Aug 2026

    I can only thank AJ Wakely for the professional courteous and respectful way in which every member of their team acted throughout the process of handling every aspect of my beloved wife's funeral.

  • 5 Anne Fullegar 2nd Aug 2026

    Fantastic service from start to finish. Could not fault the kindness, attention to detail and efficiency shown by all involved at AJ Wakeley. 

  • 5 Sue Cotterill 17th Jul 2026

    My dads passing was not the first time I’ve dealt with AJ Wakely, they are nothing but professional, understanding and take away all the grief and pressure of arranging something so sad, a very empathetic company who will suit all your wishes 

  • 5 Peter Toms 17th Jul 2026

    A big thank you to Greg at A.J.Wakely for dealing with the funeral arrangements for my wife,everything went without a problem.A first class service from start to finish.Would highly recommend them.

  • 5 Leah Harris 16th Jul 2026

    Chris was incredibly throughout everything and there was nothing that was.
    any trouble.
    I was kept well informed and all my decisions were respected.
    He even took the time to let me just talk about everything instead of bottling it all up.
    Made an incredibly hard time much easier.
    Thank you again

  • 5 Richard McIndoe 16th Jul 2026

    Wakely's were highly professional. Everything ran smoothly. Their attention to detail was excellent. Everyone we dealt was helpful and empathetic during a difficult time.

  • 5 Philip Fry 3rd Jul 2026

    AJ Wakely provided us with a very professional and personal service. Their attention to detail and care that the took in dealing with the family at such a sad time was excellent. We cannot thank them enough.

  • 5 Anthea Caddy 24th Jun 2026

    We found the whole experience of arranging our mother's funeral a very smooth process. Tim was so supportive and sensitive to the needs of all the family members and his guidance was invaluable. The funeral itself was a true tribute to our mother and this was down to Tim's support and thoughtfulness.

  • 5 Debbie Medland 23rd Jun 2026

    I would like to thank all at AJ Wakeley and sons for their thoughfulness, kindness and professionalism when dealing with the sad passing of my husband. Tim very kindly guided us through my husbands collection and funeral arrangements. I was able to contact Tim at anytime to ammend any of the details and ask questions. It enabled us to give my husband a send off he would have been proud of and made the world of difference to us at such a difficult time.

  • 5 Anne Pearce 23rd Jun 2026

    Very Professional and Kind.

  • 5 Helen Lovett 23rd Jun 2026

    Very prompt helpful and professional. Great service many thanks

  • 5 Maureen Poole 8th Jun 2026

    Our late Mother's funeral went like clockwork because of the efficiency, good communication, and very personal touch from Chris Legg, which gave us confidence, nothing was too much trouble.

  • 5 Nigel Monaghan 7th Jun 2026

    Outstanding service from everyone particularly Tim who provided so much extra help and assistance. For example on the day of the funeral a family member had forgotten to confirm the flowers. Tim amd the florist worked tirelessly to do the bouquet in the morning. It did look stunning. Everything ran smoothly. Thanks to everyone again for making our late Mother's day a special one.

Address
91 East Street
Bridport
Dorset
DT6 3LB

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

Teresa Wheeler 21st Oct 2026

Our family would like to say a big thank you to Simon and his  team for the caring manor in which they managed the funeral arrangements and helped us through this difficult time after the death of our lovely mum. We appreciate all you did for us .  Teresa Wheeler and siblings 

Brian Sharp 29th Sep 2026

I and Jennifer’s daughter's would like to thank for the sensitive way you collected Jennifer from the house and the professional way you organised and managed Jennifer’s internment 

Emma Austin 29th Sep 2026

Very helpful 

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