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 Sybil Davis 6th Jan 2026

    Very caring at such a difficult time

  • 5 Stephen Kilcoyne 6th Jan 2026

    Professional and caring through the whole process, above and beyond expectations!

  • 5 Teresa Grinter 6th Jan 2026

    They were absolutely amazing right from the start, arranging everything in accordance with Mum’s wishes and all carried out in an extremely respectful and professional manner.

  • 5 Shara Beddows 21st Dec 2025

    Excellent,

  • 5 Julia Tu 4th Dec 2025

    A J Wakely provided us with guidance and advice in the early stages (e.g. registration) following our mother's death and always treated us with kindness and respect at a difficult time. The funeral arrangements for our mother proceeded without any glitches.  

  • 5 Amanda Baker 3rd Dec 2025

    Truly compassionate, helpful and precise with every detail taken account for as requested. Creating a beautiful service just as planned with many thanks to Tim.

  • 5 Richard Harvey 3rd Dec 2025

    Their selection of our celebrant was excellent and their service - on a cold, rainy, foggy November evening - made everyone feel warm and welcome. The international nature of my partner’s life and work was greatly appreciated by friends in many locations at home and abroad. 

  • 5 Aubrey Banfield 3rd Dec 2025

    Very professional and helpful throughout the whole process thank you again

  • 5 Graham Brooks 3rd Dec 2025

    Chris Legg and the team were brilliant, they looked after mum and gave great advice and support. They made sure mums wishes were met and everything went smoothly. You could not ask for more on what was such a difficult day, for the family. Thank you all.

  • 5 Sue Ackerman 3rd Dec 2025

    Couldn’t have hoped for a more considerate and professional service. Tim was extremely helpful and made a difficult time so much easier. Would highly recommend 

  • 5 Ben Brown 3rd Nov 2025

    Brilliant all round. Great team 

  • 5 Yvonne Murphy 30th Oct 2025

    Extremely kind, caring and knowledgeable staff. Couldn't have arranged the funeral without the assistance of Tim Nickels. We live in County Durham nearly 400 miles away from where the deceased lived and Tim made everything so much easier to deal with.

  • 5 Christine Legg 30th Oct 2025

    very good

  • 5 Sharon Chandler 29th Oct 2025

    Caring and discreet. Inspired confidence that everything was being taken care of. I found Chris to be very supportive throughout.

  • 5 Mel Harper 29th Oct 2025

    Greg and his team looked after us with care and sensitivity during a difficult time. 

  • 5 Marilyn Tuck 29th Oct 2025

    An exceptional service from Simon and team. They guided us faultlessly through the process with compassion and efficiency. Nothing is too much trouble. 

  • 5 Steve McLoughlin 29th Oct 2025

    A kind and considerate approach whilst delivering a professional service. Always available and willing to put forward useful thought and suggestions. Would definitely recommend their service.

  • 5 Marion Howells 9th Oct 2025

    Chris was very professional and made me and the family feel at ease at such a sad time. The funeral was beautiful just as we had planned. l cant thank you enough for giving Doug a lovely send off thank  you all so very very much . from  Marion .

  • 5 Jayne Pierce 6th Oct 2025

    The approach for me was perfect. They were kind and very helpful. 

  • 5 Daren Morgan 6th Oct 2025

    A1 service throughout start to finish 

  • 5 Isabelle Solly 1st Sep 2025

    Will always use Wakely’s for such life events 

  • 5 Elaine Gardner 27th Aug 2025

    AJ Wakely treated my uncle with the utmost respect. I dealt with both Chris and Greg who were extremely kind and compassionate. Nothing was to much trouble, something I believe you only find with an independent funereal director . I would highly recommend AJ Wakley.

  • 5 Jennifer Kirby 27th Aug 2025

    A J Wakeley could not have done more for us or done anything better. Thank you to everyone there.

  • 5 Fred Havard 27th Aug 2025

    AJ Wakely were exceptionally efficient, kind, and considerate. They handled the entire funeral process with great skill, sensitivity, and thoughtfulness, ensuring everything ran smoothly and with minimal burden on us.”

  • 5 Kate Holding 31st Jul 2025

    From the moment I made contact they gave me a feeling of confidence, guiding me through the early stages of looking after a deceased loved one, explaining what my next stages were in terms of registering my aunts death.
    They paid a great deal of attention to ensure tha my aunt had the service I wanted for her.
    On the day the team was unobtrusive but again gently guided us through the service.
    A big thankyou goes to the office team, Angela in particular.
    Thank you

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

Sybil Davis 6th Jan 2026

Very caring at such a difficult time

Stephen Kilcoyne 6th Jan 2026

Professional and caring through the whole process, above and beyond expectations!

Teresa Grinter 6th Jan 2026

They were absolutely amazing right from the start, arranging everything in accordance with Mum’s wishes and all carried out in an extremely respectful and professional manner.

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