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 professionalism and sensitivity shown by the team throughout the arrangement process and funeral day itself, describing how staff made what could have been overwhelming easier to navigate at an emotionally difficult time.
Several families highlight how willing the team were to listen carefully to their wishes and adapt arrangements to meet their specific needs and requirements, handling all the practical details and liaisons so that families could focus on their loss.
A number of reviews mention the approachability and availability of staff, noting that questions were answered promptly and that families felt supported and guided through each stage from the initial meeting onwards.
This summary is generated by AI from recent verified reviews.
Verified Reviews
Verified Reviews
Professional Standards
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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
Claire Mason 29th Oct 2025
Excellent in every aspect!
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
Katherine Potts 6th Oct 2025
Excellent throughout. Everyone was supportive and helpful throughout what was a very sad time . Thank you to all