S. Stibbards & Sons, Hockley

273 reviews

Call 24 hours

A family-owned funeral home in Hockley village supporting families with compassionate and caring funeral services

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

7 Spa Road, Hockley,
Hockley
Essex
SS5 4AZ

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

The caring team at S Stibbards & Sons understand that contacting a funeral director can seem daunting, but with over 150 years experience, they are there to listen, reassure and support families at this very difficult time.

As a funeral home with family values at its heart, its focus is upon providing compassionate funeral care to families in Hockley and the surrounding villages, including Foulness Island, at whatever time of day or night it is needed.

When it can be hard to focus on decision-making, it is the role of their caring team to listen and support families in a reassuring space where they can focus on their loved one.

S Stibbards & Sons’ Hockley funeral home provides a calm and tranquil atmosphere in which to make funeral arrangements. It has a private chapel of rest where you can spend precious time with your loved one, reassured that their funeral wishes are being taken care of. Should you prefer support in more familiar surroundings, a home visit can be arranged.

Whether families prefer a full traditional funeral service, or a quiet farewell tailored to their needs, funeral director Martin Stibbards and his experienced staff aim to ensure that the arrangements fulfil every family’s wishes.

Stibbards offers a fleet of modern Jaguar hearses and limousines to ensure families and their loved one will travel in comfort, driven by their professional staff. Traditional horse-drawn hearses, vintage vehicles and other bespoke options can also be arranged.

S Stibbards & Sons is a member of the National Association of Funeral Directors and Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Homes Association (SAIF) and meets the high standards set by both.

It offers Golden Charter funeral plans to those who are considering the future, while as part of its support for families, it offers in-house bereavement counselling.

Call S Stibbards & Sons for a compassionate and helpful funeral service in Hockley Village.

Latest Obituaries

William John 'Bill'   Neobard

William John 'Bill' Neobard

Jun 1951 - Apr 2026

Trevor   Leslie (Terry) Golding

Trevor Leslie (Terry) Golding

Apr 2026 - Sep 1937

Kenneth Robert   Gunn

Kenneth Robert Gunn

Oct 1932 - Apr 2026

Wendy   Sybil Robson

Wendy Sybil Robson

Aug 1949 - Apr 2026

View more

What Families Say

AI Summary

Many families mention the care and support they received during the planning stages, particularly praising staff for their patience, kindness, and willingness to answer questions without making families feel rushed or pressured. Several describe how the team guided them through each step with genuine compassion, making a bewildering process feel manageable during an already difficult time.

On the day of the funeral itself, families consistently note how smoothly everything ran and how the staff's professionalism allowed them to focus on remembering their loved ones rather than worrying about logistics. Many recall specific gestures of attentiveness from the teams present, who made sure families felt supported and at ease throughout the service.

Families return repeatedly to the quality of communication throughout the entire process, from initial arrangements through to the funeral day, describing how this kept them informed and reassured. The combination of professional expertise with genuine warmth appears across many accounts, with families appreciating that they felt heard and that their specific wishes were honoured with careful attention to detail.

This summary is generated by AI from recent verified reviews.

Verified Reviews

Verified Reviews

  • 5 Jenny Murrell 3rd Apr 2023

    A sympathetic and professional approach to an event I had never planned before. Reassurance at every turn of the event and the day.

    Dave Ponton replied
    Dear Jenny, thank you for taking the time to express your thanks for the service that we provided to you. I am pleased that you felt looked after and supported.
  • 5 Christine Gorman 25th Mar 2023

    Wonderful service. Everyone was so helpful and kind

    Dave Ponton replied
    Dear Christine, we are always here to help in any way we can, we are so pleased to have been able to look after and support you at this difficult time.
  • 5 Julie Jackson 3rd Mar 2023

    From the beginning to the end, Stibbards have been very supportive during this emotional time. Scott was great at the service and put myself at ease. Thank you

    Dave Ponton replied
    Dear Julie, thank you for your kind sentiments and praise for Scott. I am so pleased that he was able to support you at the Service and ease your burden
  • 4 Clive White 27th Feb 2023

    On the day outstanding service and attention to detail remarkable. But feel little let down leading up to funeral, was not kept updated and informed until couple of days before funeral with what was going on. But apart from that a great as possible under the circumstances experience.

  • 5 Lisa Bond 26th Feb 2023

    Our family have been using Stibbards over many years. They are very professional, extremely caring and the service they provide on the day is first class. 

    Dave Ponton replied
    Dear Lisa, thank you for your kind words. We are so pleased that the care you received met with your expectations and thank you for your continued support for our family run company.
  • 5 Linda Roy 25th Feb 2023

    Deborah and all the staff made me feel so calm. I was guided through everything. On the day the staff were amazing. Made mums day so special. A huge thankyou to you all.

    Dave Ponton replied
    Dear Linda, we are so pleased Deborah was able to help you and the family through such a difficult time. Thank you for taking the time to comment on our service to you, it is much appreciated
  • 5 Gladys "Pat" Grisdale 15th Feb 2023

    Stibbards and Sons couldn’t have been more helpful at such a difficult time.  They listened to our wishes and explained all details that would take place very carefully, so that everything ran smoothly on the day.  It was a very simple funeral, as our wishes, but was carried out impeccably.  

    Dave Ponton replied
    Dear Pat, thank you for your very generous comments which mean so much to all of us at Stibbards. As a family company we cherish the relationships that we build with our families and your kind comments will be shared with the team.
  • 5 Lynn Culwick 30th Jan 2023

    Was really reassuring having Stibbards sorting everything out for my Dads funeral. We were so grateful for them. 

    Dave Ponton replied
    Dear Lynn, we are always here to help in any way we can, we are so pleased have been able to look after and support you at this difficult time.
  • 5 Lisa O'Sullivan 29th Jan 2023

    There when we needed help at the worst of times. The team guided us through the red tape and took the stress out of following our mum’s wishes and final journey. 

    Dave Ponton replied
    Dear Lisa, thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us, we are so pleased to have been able to care for you all at such a difficult time
  • 5 William Perrin 23rd Jan 2023

    Lauren was amazing from start to finish and made the whole process as smooth as it could have been.

    Dave Ponton replied
    Dear William, thank you for you praise for Lauren i know she will be pleased knowing she was able to look after you so well
  • 5 Bev Williams 15th Jan 2023

    Everything was dealt with in a professional & very kind way at such a difficult time,appreciate all the efforts made 

    Dave Ponton replied
    Dear Bev, thank you for allowing us to come into your lives at such a difficult time. I am so pleased that all went well on the day and that we looked after you with such great care.
  • 5 Yvonne Sharp 10th Jan 2023

    Stibbards we’re absolutely amazing - couldn’t fault them in any way whatsoever.  All the staff, from beginning to end, were respectful, caring, helpful and so professional in every way.  My family and I cannot recommend them enough.  Thank you so much To all Stibbards staff who made the funeral run so smoothly and for helping us through such a difficult time. X

    Dave Ponton replied
    Dear Yvonne, thank you for allowing us to come into your lives at such a difficult time. I am so pleased that all went well on the day and that the team looked after you with such great care.
  • 5 Donna Kiuras 17th Dec 2022

    Warm and kind from the first meeting to remove my Dad from his home where he passed.
    Excellent service overall.
    Easy to deal with and Lauren the young woman who makes arrangements is lovely and made the process easier and less stressful. She did not rush me during our meeting to discuss the service and was very transparent about costs.
    Highly recommended as at such a difficult time, this level of service makes a difference.

    Martin Stibbards replied
    Dear Donna, thank you for your very kind words, I am so pleased that my Daughter (Lauren) looked after you so well. As a family company your words mean so much to us and we are so grateful that you took the time to express you thoughts on the care provided to you and the family.
  • 5 Steven Laing 16th Dec 2022

    Could not have been more helpful/considerate & caring. Thank you to the whole team!

    Martin Stibbards replied
    Dear Steven, thank you for taking the time to express your gratitued to all those who helped you, it is very much appreciated by all of us here at Stibbards.
  • 5 Robert Ballard 25th Nov 2022

    Very satisfied with the way the funeral of my late wife was carried out. The staff kept me informed every step of the way with special thanks to Lauren and Lee for there guidance through this difficult time. An excellent company.

    Dave Ponton replied
    Dear Robert, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us, it was so lovely to look after you and your family and I am so pleased that all was as you wished. I wish you and the family all the best for the future.
  • 5 Colin Barnett 15th Nov 2022

    Stibbards looked after my Mother's funeral arrangement. Having never been through this before we were worried about organising all the various arrangements. We need not have worried. Stibbards were there to explain and take care of us and our mother every step of the way. The process was effortless (from our point of view) and the day of the service could not have been any better.
    We can't recommend Stibbards highly enough for the respectful, helpful and proffesional service they provided. Nothing was too much trouble.

    Martin Stibbards replied
    Dear Colin, thank you for entrusting us was the arrangements for Mum's funeral, we are so pleased that everything went without a hitch abd you felt well supported and cared for.
  • 5 Craig Witherington 26th Oct 2022

    Lauren has been an absolute credit to Stibbards.
    Thank you 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

    Dave Ponton replied
    Dear Craig, thank you for your kind sentiments and praise for Lauren. I am so pleased that she was able to support you during the arrangements and ease your burden
  • 5 Julie Ramsey 19th Oct 2022

    We used Stibbards & Sons Hockley twice now, first time was seven years ago for our mum.  The care given to our mum was outstanding, so when the time came that we needed this service fro our dad there was never a thought of going anywhere else.
    Again we had outstanding service for our dad. there was support every step of the way to the service.  
    On the day of his funeral there was care, support, professionalism, and courteous to us all.
    We couldn't ask for a more fitting send off for our dad.

  • 5 Kylie Canham 13th Oct 2022

    The level of service given by Stibbards was exceptional. Lauren was extremely understanding and helpful throughout the whole process. Nothing was too much trouble for her. She made the process that little bit more bearable.
    The gentleman who came to the house, the morning that dad passed, he was so kind and explained everything in a way that wasn't overwhelming. We would like to thank him for being so helpful and understanding. Unfortunately, none of us can remember his name as we were all in shock.
    On the day of dad's funeral, Colin was the one who coordinated everyone, made sure we got to the crematorium on time and he explained what was happening at every step. This made the day so much easier for us.
    We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all the team at Stibbards for taking such good care of dad and of us. It made the whole painful situation much easier to get through.

    Dave Ponton replied


    Dear Kylie, we are so pleased that Lauren, Scott and the team were able to support and care for you as a family so well, and we hope that the knowledge that your loved one and your family are being looked after so well brings you great comfort. Thank you for your truly kind expressions of gratitude
  • 5 Sarah Chaudhri 7th Oct 2022

    Kind , caring and very professional service 

    Dave Ponton replied
    Dear Sarah, thank you for your kind words, I will ensure they are shared with all concerned
  • 5 Kevin Maynard 22nd Aug 2022

    Stibbards organised everything perfectly for us, the family are very pleased with how the funeral and service turned out, giving our loved one a great send off. Numerous comments were made that it was a brilliant service.

    Dave Ponton replied


    Dear Kevin, thank you for your very generous comments which mean so much to all of us at Stibbards. As a family company we cherish the relationships that we build with our families and your kind comments will be shared with the team.
  • 4 Stephen Rawlinson 14th Aug 2022

    Stibbards are our family Undertakers. 
    The service and care is quite frankly beyond their rivals. 
    I asked for the wonderful Martin Stibbard to preside over my Fathers funeral. As he did for my son, mother and wife. 
    To put into perspective. When you wait for the arrival of your loved one. You see Martin and his fantastic staff. You breath a sigh of relief. You know that all is in hand. 
    I would also like to thank Martins people. Especially his daughter. She is continuing the fine tradition of the Stibbards family.

    Dave Ponton replied
    Dear Stephen, thank you for your very generous comments which mean so much to all of us at Stibbards. As a family company we cherish the relationships that we build with our families and your kind comments will be shared with the team.
  • 5 Allan Smith 5th Aug 2022

    I had previously used stibbards for my mums funeral in jan 2021, where the service and professionalism was always first class in every aspect , so it made sense on my part to go my local branch in  hockley , and yes everything was first class right up from the word go at the beginning to the end on driving us to the wake at the cliffs Pavillion , 
    Please thank everybody concerned from Scott , who came on the day of Barbara’s death and Louise in the office at Hockley.
    Thank you again
    Allan Smith 

    Dave Ponton replied
    Dear Allan, thank you for putting your trust in us once again and I am so pleased that Louise, Scott and the team looked after you all so well, I will ensure that your thoughts are shared with all concerned
  • 5 Thomas Grew 3rd Aug 2022

    Excellent service from the outset. We have used Stibbards twice in recent months the Hadleigh Office for my Aunt and on both occasions the service was faultless. We can only thank everyone at Stibbards for their help and understanding.

    Dave Ponton replied
    Dear Thomas, we are so pleased to have been able to help you and the family through such a difficult time. Thank you for taking the time to comment on our service to you, it is much appreciated
  • 5 Michael Adcock 2nd Aug 2022

    From start to finish the service and thoroughness  of all the staff was excellent.

Address
7 Spa Road, Hockley,
Hockley
Essex
SS5 4AZ

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

Jenny Murrell 3rd Apr 2023

A sympathetic and professional approach to an event I had never planned before. Reassurance at every turn of the event and the day.

Christine Gorman 25th Mar 2023

Wonderful service. Everyone was so helpful and kind

Julie Jackson 3rd Mar 2023

From the beginning to the end, Stibbards have been very supportive during this emotional time. Scott was great at the service and put myself at ease. Thank you

Reviews
Crematorium
Cemetery
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  • Pitsea Cemetery

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