A J Wakely & Sons Ltd, Sherborne
A family owned business serving communities across Dorset, Somerset and Devon for over 125 years
Funeral Services
- Traditional burial
- Simple funeral
- Traditional cremation
- Home visit
- On-site parking
- Chapel of rest
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
About Us
A J Wakely & Sons is a family owned business with branches operating throughout Dorset, Somerset and Devon, having first Established in Bridport in 1897. The Sherborne Funeral Home opened in 1999, serving the bereaved for over 25 years.
A J Wakely’s highly trained staff have extensive knowledgeable of local community resources and will do their best to help cater to specific requests, from arranging simple or traditional services, to elaborate and highly personalised, bespoke funerals.
Together with Catherine, office manager, the Sherborne branch is run by Funeral Director Richard Wakely, who has a Diploma in Funeral Arranging and Administration (DipFAA) and has been working for A J Wakely & Sons since 2014. They are supported by Matthew Patterson, manager of the Yeovil branch and operating as Funeral Director at A J Wakely’s Sherborne, Crewkerne and Wincanton offices.
Whether pre-need or at-need, call A J Wakely & Sons Sherborne today to request a quote, engage their services or set a plan for the future.
What Families Say
AI SummaryMany families emphasise the care and sensitivity shown by the team throughout the funeral arrangements and service, describing how staff balanced being present and supportive without becoming intrusive, and how they made families feel reassured and guided through a difficult process.
Several families mention the smooth running of the funeral day itself, noting that arrangements went without difficulty and that staff attended to all practical details and liaison with other organisations, allowing families to focus on paying their respects.
Families frequently comment on communication and accessibility, describing how staff answered questions readily, responded quickly to enquiries, were flexible with requests, and made the whole process feel manageable and less burdensome during an emotional time.
This summary is generated by AI from recent verified reviews.
Verified Reviews
Verified Reviews
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
Maryanne Charrington 15th Sep 2026
From the moment Wakely's collected my mother after her death they acted with such kindness and sensitivity. We then met with Richard Wakely who talked us through the funeral planning and made everything as straight forward as possible for us. Together we produced the service sheet and they fitted in with all our wishes for the funeral service itself. On the day of the funeral everything ran so smoothly thanks to Wakelys and they were ever present without being overwhelming in any way. Their presence was so reassuring and they were kind and friendly to everyone involved, right up to the cremation following the service. I cannot thank them enough for everything they have done, nor can I rate them high enough. Special mention should also go to Catherine in the office for being so sympathetic and kind whenever I visited them in Sherborne. We felt so helped and supported by everyone throughout a difficult time. Thank you!
Shelagh Mitchell 14th Sep 2026
Very respectful, dignified, calm and courteous. Always on hand to answer questions. Helped to smooth the way on this very sad journey. Thank you.
Ian Annett 14th Sep 2026
Sensitive, empathetic, timely and understanding. Excellent service demonstrated by invisible yet ever present support.