A J Wakely & Sons, Bridport

339 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 attentiveness they received throughout the funeral process, describing staff as kind, compassionate and understanding during an emotionally difficult time. Several mention being kept well informed at each stage, with questions answered promptly and arrangements explained clearly, which helped reduce stress and worry when families were managing many decisions at once.

A number of reviews note that the funeral day itself ran smoothly and without complications, with families appreciating the professional but unobtrusive presence of the team, the attention paid to every detail they had requested, and the dignified way the service was conducted. Families often remark that nothing seemed too much trouble, whether accommodating special requests, liaising with other suppliers, or offering support and guidance beyond what they had expected.

This summary is generated by AI from recent verified reviews.

Verified Reviews

Verified Reviews

  • 5 Sally Sherfield 26th Jun 2022

    Chris was very professional, kind and understanding. He made sure the lead up and day ran smoothly. He took all of our requests on board and fulfilled our needs perfectly. Would highly recommend.  

  • 5 Tessa Lee 21st Jun 2022

    Their kindness, respect and organisation has made these past weeks much less painful.
    We will always recommend AJ Wakley & sons.

  • 5 Diana Pearce 20th Jun 2022

    every thing was very good nothing was to much trouble for all of you. the flowers were lovely just as i wanted . Thank you , also a special thank you to Greg Scott.

  • 5 Jean Grout 1st Jun 2022


    The care and support given by Greg throughout the whole funeral, both before and after was so very much appreciated by the whole family. We also all thought how well Alicen the Celebrant spoke and what a lovely service it was altogether. Thank you all so much.

  • 5 Clive Bath 30th May 2022

    Very professional organisation of the funeral and good personal support from Simon Wakely

  • 5 Katie Nye 11th May 2022

    Wakelys were brilliant once again. Their compassion, gentleness and efficiency is to be admired.

  • 4 Brenda Smith 28th Apr 2022

    Very polite & professional, thankyou 

  • 5 Jane Conisbee 26th Apr 2022

    Seamless service

  • 5 Nick Tuck 25th Apr 2022

    Excellent service and Simon was amazing 

  • 5 Brian Taylor 25th Apr 2022

    Excellent service

  • 5 Ann Blackwell 25th Apr 2022

    Wakely’s could not have been more helpful, especially at such a difficult time. The staff were kindness itself and couldn’t do enough for me. I would not hesitate to recommend them.

  • 5 Judith Franklin 25th Apr 2022

    First class service from Simon and his team. We couldn’t of got through my Dads funeral without him. He made sure every little detail was catered for. Can never thank him enough for his help and understanding. 

  • 5 Ian Pamplin 25th Apr 2022

    Simon Wakely and his team were very helpful and understanding a truly professional service

  • 5 Mandy Nicholson 11th Apr 2022

    Excellent personal service from Simon and his team

  • 5 Rachel Miller 11th Apr 2022

    My family and I cannot speak highly enough of the wonderful service,care and compassion we received from the whole team during our very sad time.

  • 5 Helen Light 11th Apr 2022

    Very good service. Extremely professional.

  • 5 Brenda King 11th Apr 2022

    Kind, compassionate service. Thank you. 

    Not great that this review was addressed to Brenda, asking her to review her own funeral! 

    Overall very happy with the service and would recommend to others in need.

  • 5 Chris Addis 10th Apr 2022

    Helpful and friendly. Took the load and made everything very easy for the family.

  • 5 Thomas Rendell 10th Apr 2022

    could not fault your service in any way, we were treated with care and sympathy, from the start, which helped us through the day.

  • 5 Adrian Gale 9th Apr 2022

    Very good personal service.
    Took a "load off" at a difficult time.

  • 5 Roger Evans 9th Apr 2022

    Compassionate & professional service from start to finish. Thank you

  • 5 Sharon Poole 8th Apr 2022

    The whole team especially Chris went above and beyond for us as a family.
    Such a caring team and I would recommend them any time.

  • 5 Jane Harvey 7th Mar 2022

    I cannot thank Chris Legg and Wakely enough for the service they provided for Simon's funeral. From the start, I felt very much looked after and nothing was too much trouble for Chris. He made some really excellent suggestions that added to the importance of the day. With his assistance, I was able to provide a very fitting final journey for my brother.

  • 5 Jennifer Minchington 6th Mar 2022

    We found the services of A J Wakely & Sons straightforward, uncomplicated and caring at a distressing time. We would have no hesitation in recommending them to family and friends should the need arise.

  • 5 Rita Smith 4th Mar 2022

    Very efficient

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

Sally Sherfield 26th Jun 2022

Chris was very professional, kind and understanding. He made sure the lead up and day ran smoothly. He took all of our requests on board and fulfilled our needs perfectly. Would highly recommend.  

Tessa Lee 21st Jun 2022

Their kindness, respect and organisation has made these past weeks much less painful. We will always recommend AJ Wakley & sons.

Diana Pearce 20th Jun 2022

every thing was very good nothing was to much trouble for all of you. the flowers were lovely just as i wanted . Thank you , also a special thank you to Greg Scott.

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