A J Wakely & Sons Ltd, Sherborne

41 reviews

Call 24 hours

A family owned business serving communities across Dorset, Somerset and Devon for over 125 years

Latest Verified Reviews

Gary Clements 25th Feb 2026

Richard and his team were absolutely excellent. They facilitated a family member helping to carry the coffin which meant a lot. From the first visit he was sensitive yet professional. Was wonderful in dealing with my father in law who has dementia and was struggling understandably with the death of his wife.  Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend. 

Adrian Morgan 25th Feb 2026

From the moment we first contacted AJ Wakely, they were respectful, polite and quietly efficient. The celebrant they recommended for the cremation was outstanding and everything went very smoothly indeed. I can recommend them unreservedly.

Gill Rabbets 25th Feb 2026

We found all the staff to be very polite and helpful. The service went off perfectly. 

Reviews

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

16 Newland
Sherborne
Dorset
DT9 3JQ

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

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.

Verified Reviews

Verified Reviews

  • 4 Gary Clements 25th Feb 2026

    Richard and his team were absolutely excellent. They facilitated a family member helping to carry the coffin which meant a lot.
    From the first visit he was sensitive yet professional. Was wonderful in dealing with my father in law who has dementia and was struggling understandably with the death of his wife. 
    Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend. 

  • 5 Adrian Morgan 25th Feb 2026

    From the moment we first contacted AJ Wakely, they were respectful, polite and quietly efficient. The celebrant they recommended for the cremation was outstanding and everything went very smoothly indeed. I can recommend them unreservedly.

  • 5 Gill Rabbets 25th Feb 2026

    We found all the staff to be very polite and helpful. The service went off perfectly. 

  • 5 Rachel Young 9th Feb 2026

    We cannot thank Wakely’s enough for the service they provided regarding the passing of our late father. 

    Matthew and Catherine who we predominantly dealt with, were very professional and put us all at ease, making the whole process manageable under what were very difficult and emotional circumstances. Nothing was ever to much, and they were always understanding and accommodating. 

    Could not recommend them enough. Thank you to all at Wakely’s. 

  • 5 James Craw 5th Feb 2026

    The service we have received was excellent in every way. We are very grateful for all your help and support at a difficult time. Richard and Catherine were efficient and caring at all times.

  • 5 Chella Pollard 5th Feb 2026

    Can highly recommend the friendly, professional service provided by Richard and his team at A.J. Wakely & Sons. This is the second time our family has used their services. From start to finish you feel you are being guided by a safe pair of hands throughout the sad process of saying farewell to a loved one. Their empathy & support was much appreciated. Thank you. 

  • 5 Timothy Powell 1st Feb 2026

    I was very impressed by the calm, efficient, caring and professional service provided by this firm. I dealt with the Sherborne office. Nothing was too much trouble. They gave personalized advice when needed and were very flexible with our requirements. I would certainly recommend them.

  • 5 Simon Andrews 5th Jan 2026

    Excellent, thoughtful and attentive service and assistance throughout. We are all grateful for the way the process was handled, allowing us the most special service for my father. 

  • 5 Gill Espley 8th Dec 2025

    I can’t thank Richard and his whole team enough for the handling of my father’s funeral. Thank you so much. 

  • 5 Rona Sturmey 3rd Dec 2025

    Kind and very helpful. Took things out of our hands. So less things to worry about.

  • 5 Peter Watson 22nd Nov 2025

    Friendly, helpful service at a very difficult time with someone there, always available to answer those questions. Thank you so much.

  • 5 Abla Searle 30th Oct 2025

    Very good service .
    .
    Very professional and helpful, very good they're doing everything I need to be in burial day thanks.

  • 5 Alice Webber 30th Oct 2025

    From start to finish the service delivered was exceptional. The support my family and I were given throughout the whole process was incredible. I would highly recommend, Richard was always on the end of the phone if we ever needed anything. The service is run with compassion and empathy and to a very high professional standard. My Dad received a wonderful funeral service and we are extremely grateful. Thank you, Alice. 

  • 5 Claire Mason 29th Oct 2025

    Excellent in every aspect!

  • 5 Rita Barnes 8th Oct 2025

    Cannot thank A.J.Wakely and Sons enough for the perfect send off we had for my late mother Shirley. They went above and beyond to help, any questions were responded to quickly. Highly rate the service they provide and will be recommending to other people! Thank you x

  • 5 Katherine Potts 6th Oct 2025

    Excellent throughout. Everyone was supportive and helpful throughout what was a very sad time . 
    Thank you to all 

  • 5 Stefan Rooks 6th Oct 2025

    Beautifully Done 🕊🕊

  • 5 Linda McLaren 29th Aug 2025

    Excellent service from the Sherborne office at the most difficult time in our lives. Thank you

  • 5 Penny Wilson 28th Aug 2025

    Everyone from Wakely’s that I have contact with very helpful and respectful 
    Would highly recommend using them 

  • 5 Peter Robshaw 27th Aug 2025

    Matthew was very helpful and professional when it came to the details of the funeral. On the day he lead me through the whole process, for which I’m very grateful.

  • 5 Marcus Cliffe 2nd Aug 2025

    I would thoroughly recommend Wakely’s, they have handled the passings of my Grandparents, and most recently, my Mum. They’ve been attentive, sensitive, compassionate, understanding and extremely professional. 

    Thank you, Richard, and the team 🤝

  • 5 Tom Hayes 30th Jul 2025

    Professional, compassionate, fully understanding and able to adapt to the very difficult time. 

  • 5 Charlotte Pennycook 1st Jul 2025

    Thank you for supporting us to arrange a fitting tribute to our beloved Father. You were calm, professional, understanding and supportive. It is a big event for a family and you guided us through it all very sympathetically, without judgement and with advice and support as we needed. I would not hesitate to recommend. Thank you so much.

  • 5 Sylvia Riding 25th Jun 2025

    Everyone at Wakely’s has been helpful and understanding at every stage from the moment our mum died right through the funeral and beyond. 

  • 5 Wendy Rashid 10th Jun 2025

    Right from the first meeting at wakelys , we received nothing but respect , consideration and every attention to detail , while handling and organising my dear father’s funeral . 
    We gave him a beautiful send off thanks to wakelys& sons . Would highly recommend . 

Address
16 Newland
Sherborne
Dorset
DT9 3JQ

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

Latest Verified Reviews

Gary Clements 25th Feb 2026

Richard and his team were absolutely excellent. They facilitated a family member helping to carry the coffin which meant a lot. From the first visit he was sensitive yet professional. Was wonderful in dealing with my father in law who has dementia and was struggling understandably with the death of his wife.  Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend. 

Adrian Morgan 25th Feb 2026

From the moment we first contacted AJ Wakely, they were respectful, polite and quietly efficient. The celebrant they recommended for the cremation was outstanding and everything went very smoothly indeed. I can recommend them unreservedly.

Gill Rabbets 25th Feb 2026

We found all the staff to be very polite and helpful. The service went off perfectly. 

Reviews
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Update

Prices vary by time and day of week