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 Adam Coumbe 25th Jun 2025

    Very professional, could not have been more helpful and sympathetic 

  • 5 Jeff Clark 25th Jun 2025

    A big thank you for making a difficult time easier. Everything from taking mum into your care till graveside was done with the upmost care and respect. For which we thank you.
    Jeff and Sue Clark

  • 5 Robert Stone 25th Jun 2025

    A J WAKELY were extremely professional and courteous through every stage of my mums funeral from the first phone call in the early hours of a Sunday morning to the letter giving the names of the attendees of the funeral, I cannot praise and thank them enough.

  • 5 Margaret Broad 6th Jun 2025

    We would like to say a very big thank you to all at Wakely’s, especially Greg, who helped us every step of the way. He was just right, professional and kind.

    Thank you again Wakely’s.
    We are very grateful for your care.

    Kind regards,
    Margaret & Christine 

  • 5 Dianne Hammond 4th Jun 2025

    Thank you so much Simon and your team.. The service, words & incredible support you have given has been appreciated by our family more than you know.. 
    You held our hands through out everything and have continued after the Funeral.. We are so glad you were the one who took care of Peter .
    Thank you again
    Dianne 

  • 5 Jacqueline Hewitt 3rd Jun 2025

    Very professional, helpful and sympathetic. Nothing too much trouble. 

  • 5 Ali Cameron 3rd Jun 2025

    Funerals have to be about the loss of someone, but Simon Wakely made both thee run up and the day almost enjoyable.

    Kind, empathetic, concerned, he and his team helped make the Friday a day to remember for all the right reasons.
    The small but lovely church, the preacher, the presentation, the food after ( Dorset delights)_
    Thank you all for your service.

  • 5 William Montague- Johnstone 2nd Jun 2025

    A J Wakely & Sons were absolutely amazing from start to finish.
    I was dreading the whole process of my mother’s death and organising the funeral.
     However Chris and his team with their experience, organisation, and kindness made everything very straightforward and without stress.
    I was beyond impressed and very grateful for all there work.

  • 5 Christine Wood 2nd Jun 2025

    We would like to thank Simon and everyone at Wakeleys for all the care they took. Nothing was too much trouble and help and advice were always available.  It made a very difficult time much easier for us.  
    Sincere thanks from the whole family.
    Christine Wood

  • 5 George Shillaker 2nd Jun 2025

    Wakeley & sons handled everything from start to finish beautifully enabling the mourners to enjoy a very moving service uninterrupted. Thank you Chris & Simon

  • 5 Nicola Tunney 2nd Jun 2025

    Very much appreciated the AJ Wakely team’s support throughout the planning process and on the funeral day itself.  Made a challenging time much easier to navigate. Thank you

  • 5 Kevin Martin 2nd Jun 2025

    Very professional, but also very caring and friendly.
    Thoroughly recommend.
    K.M.

  • 5 Simon Vale 1st May 2025

    A very good service. Thank you very much.

  • 5 Lis Watson 1st May 2025

    Tim and his team were wonderful supporting us to plan my mother’s burial. Tim struck just the right balance of being helpful whilst at the same time leaving us to make plans. 
    Tim was incredibly quick to respond to any questions we had. 
    On the day of the burial Tim and his team were quietly there to guide and support us. 
    They made a difficult day as easy as possible. 

  • 5 Steve Tattershall 1st May 2025

    Overwhelming service from the start of funeral planing of my dear dad’s funeral to the very end. 

    A caring, kind and highly professional funeral company, who show genuine empathy to the people they are acting on their behalf. Cannot praise up this family run business enough. Although losing a loved one is heartbreaking, having Wakelys to guide and lead us through the process of saying ‘good bye’ to the one who has passed away, made the whole sad proceed more bearable 

  • 5 Judith Huygens 15th Apr 2025

    A faultless, caring and highly efficient service that we would highly recommend. Nothing is too much trouble from the initial home visit after the bereavement, email queries before the day and the actual funeral. We were very grateful that everyone little detail was as we asked for. Special mention must go to Tim Nickels at Bridport who embodies everything a funeral director should be. Thank you so very much.

  • 5 Elaine Guthrie 4th Apr 2025

    We cannot thank A J Wakely & Sons enough for their professional service. We appreciated everything they did for us from the first call to looking after my brother Raymond until his cremation.

    Greg is a very kind and caring man who was so helpful to us at this difficult time.
    His patience and understanding was a credit to him. Thank you Greg.

    Elaine and Chris.

  • 5 Vanessa Norris 2nd Apr 2025

    Chris and all his colleagues are all very compassionate and helped me through every aspect after the loss of my wonderful Dad. Nothing was too much trouble and no rush.
    Thank you

  • 5 Margaret Fowler 1st Apr 2025

    Very helpful from start to finish nothing out of place all went smoothly thank you.

  • 5 Lynne Thomas 1st Apr 2025

    Everything was organised with compassion and efficency.Thank you Simon for your kindness in dealing with our loss.Our Family are so grateful to you and your team.
    Regards
    Lynne

  • 5 Anne Knox 31st Mar 2025

    I felt in good hands while arranging the funeral for my sister in law. The insite and advice recieved was a great comfort in an unfamiliar world. Much of the planning was taken care of by the deceased, but putting the plan into action with guidance from Greg was invaluable. There was always respect and dignity during our interactions both before and during the burial service. Thank you to all concerned.

  • 5 Sarah Kenningham 31st Mar 2025

    Chris and Amanda provided excellent support at a very sad time for myself and my brother with the passing of our mum. Nothing was too much trouble and the funeral service was beautifully orchestrated by them. We would have no hesitation in recommending them to anybody facing this difficult time.

  • 5 Sam Gibbs 31st Mar 2025

    Chris at Wakely’s guided us through all arrangements and led proceedings on the day of the funeral. Experts in their field with nothing too much trouble. 

  • 5 Gillian Quant 31st Mar 2025

    Following my Mum's passing the love, care and support we received from Simon Wakely and his staff was truly amazing. All his staff were really caring and showed real pride in their work.
    Mum didn't leave any instructions but a few years back she told me that she wanted Wakely's to take care of her funeral and not some back street undertaker doing it on the cheap! In her mind like many around this area there is only one Funeral Director, Wakely's.

  • 5 Stuart Radcliffe 31st Mar 2025

    Simon and the Bridport team were nothing short of utterly professional, helpful and engaging throughout the difficult times this year and last as we laid to rest our beloved parents.Their recommended supporting services (flowers, catering etc) were also of a very high standard.

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

Adam Coumbe 25th Jun 2025

Very professional, could not have been more helpful and sympathetic 

Jeff Clark 25th Jun 2025

A big thank you for making a difficult time easier. Everything from taking mum into your care till graveside was done with the upmost care and respect. For which we thank you. Jeff and Sue Clark

Robert Stone 25th Jun 2025

A J WAKELY were extremely professional and courteous through every stage of my mums funeral from the first phone call in the early hours of a Sunday morning to the letter giving the names of the attendees of the funeral, I cannot praise and thank them enough.

Reviews
Crematorium
Cemetery
  • Yeovil Crematorium

    Yeovil, BA20 2EJ

  • Weymouth Crematorium

    Weymouth, DT4 0RR

  • Taunton Deane Crematorium

    Taunton, TA1 5NE

  • East Devon Crematorium

    Exeter, EX5 2PT

  • Mendip Crematorium

    Wells, BA5 3RR

  • Bridport Cemetery

    Bridport, DT6 4SE

  • Townsend Cemetery

    Crewkerne, TA18 7AH

  • Axminster Cemetery

    Axminster, EX13 5LW

  • Poundbury Road Cemetery

    Dorchester, DT1 2PW

  • Chard Cemetery

    Chard, TA20 1JL

  • Seaton Cemetery

    Seaton, EX12 2DQ

  • Weymouth Cemetery

    Weymouth, DT4 0RR

  • Wyke Regis Cemetery

    Wyke Regis, DT4 9QS

  • Melcombe Regis Cemetery

    Melcombe Regis, DT4 0AR

  • Yeovil Cemetery

    Yeovil, BA21 3AG

  • Sherborne Cemetery

    Sherborne, DT9 6AA

  • St Michael's Church

    Honiton, EX14 9TE

  • Sidbury Cemetery

    Sidbury, EX10 0AS

  • Sidmouth Cemetery

    Sidmouth, EX10 9BN

  • Langport Cemetery

    Langport, TA10 9SD

Prices vary by time and day of week