Abbey Funeral Services Ltd

124 reviews

Call 24 hours

An independent, well-established family-managed business in Tonbridge, serving Tunbridge Wells, Pembury, Southborough, East Peckham, Hadlow, Hildenborough, Paddock Wood and surrounding areas

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

173 High Street
Tonbridge
Kent
TN9 1BX

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

  • 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

Abbey Funeral Services was founded in 1983 by husband and wife team, and former Presidents of the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF), Jim and Chris Parker. Jo, the daughter of Chris & Jim, joined the company in 1993 and has been Managing Director since 2019.

This Funeral Home provides a wide range of funeral services to families in Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, and surrounding areas, from simple funerals, traditional burial and cremation services, green funerals including woodland burials and other environmentally conscious options. Their vehicle offerings include a selection of hearses and limousines, including horse-drawn hearses, motorcycle hearses and other, more personalised and bespoke transportation.

For anyone thinking ahead to the future, Abbey Funeral Services provides pre-paid Funeral Plans through Golden Charter, which are designed to cover the Funeral Director's costs and help contribute towards any third-party costs, such as crematorium fees and an officiant to lead the service.

Given our Mental Health is so important, aftercare is also made available, with Jo forming a community bereavement support program called ‘Friends Together’, which aims to assist families following a funeral. In addition to Funeral Directing and running the support group, Jo also runs Kent & Sussex Memorials, a monumental masonry company catering to the memorial needs of their families.

The family and their highly trained staff at Abbey Funeral Services are proud of their deep connection to the local community and offer services to high professional standards, in keeping with a strict industry Code of Practice.

Call Abbey Funeral Services today to begin making arrangements, discuss setting up a plan or for further enquiries, or click 'Visit Website' to view their official website and to explore in more detail.

What Families Say

AI Summary

Many families emphasize the care and empathy shown by the team from the initial phone call through to after the funeral, describing how staff made an overwhelmingly difficult time more manageable and bearable. Several mention how particular staff members guided them patiently through arrangements, listened to their wishes without pressure, and treated them and their loved one with dignity and respect throughout the process.

On the day itself, families frequently note that the funeral ran smoothly and seamlessly, with the team remaining calm, organized and supportive, and ensuring that every detail was handled exactly as arranged. A number of reviews highlight how this professionalism and coordination meant families could focus on grieving rather than worrying about logistics.

Many families also comment on communication, noting that staff were always available to answer questions however trivial, kept them informed at every stage, and checked in to make sure they were happy with how things were progressing.

This summary is generated by AI from recent verified reviews.

Verified Reviews

Verified Reviews

  • 5 John Russell 26th Oct 2026

    From the moment we made the first phone call to Abbey Funeral Services, we knew we had made the right decision.
    The professionalism, courtesy, caring and empathy they showed from start to finish was outstanding

  • 5 Kevin Rimell 25th Oct 2026

    A very friendly family caring service they make you feel very much at ease and take the worry and concerns away always ready to answer any concerns 
    Very highly recommend The Rimell Family 

  • 5 Stephanie Smith 23rd Oct 2026

    Very happy with service provided. The staff at Abbey were very kind and helpful, and I felt that care was taken to execute all arrangements as agreed.

  • 5 Nicola Riddle 23rd Oct 2026

    Have used Abbey now for both my parents funerals and their care and consideration has been amazing. Nothing is too much trouble for them. Thank you Abbey Funerals

  • 5 Barbara Mitchell 23rd Oct 2026

    They were thoughtful, caring and held us devastated relatives together and made the funeral service more bearable for us.

  • 5 Rita Ring 22nd Oct 2026

    Very special people, kind caring and thoughtful.  Thank you all. 

  • 5 Megan Cox 22nd Oct 2026

    Amazing support end to end - can’t imagine not doing it without this brilliant team. Thank you for making an incredibly hard time so much easier 

  • 5 Sally Ann Murray 22nd Oct 2026

    I found them to be professional throughout the whole process.

  • 5 Rod Revell 22nd Oct 2026

    Compassionate, polite, accommodating, understanding and very efficient. I'd definitely recommend Abbey Funeral Services

  • 5 Lisa Maynard 22nd Oct 2026

    We were treated with respect and dignity throughout the whole process. The entire team made an emotional day that little bit easier.

  • 5 Ben Peters 22nd Oct 2026

    The whole team was extremely respectful and made a distressing point of life as easy and stress free as possible.
    I would highly recommend! 

  • 5 Susan Burden 21st Oct 2026

    Very happy with the service provided

  • 5 Jennifer Hancox 1st Oct 2026

    From my very first phone call after my husband died until after his funeral, Abbey Funeral Services were very helpful in every way. They accommodated our particular needs with dignity and patience. Their interview room is a comforting space and all the staff were gently helpful both then, and before, during and after the funeral. The order of service booklet was put together very well and looked good. Their after-care is good too. 
    I have attended many funerals over the years and have always been impressed by the ones in the hands of Abbey F S. I am pleased I chose them to look after my late husband and his funeral arrangements.

  • 5 Claire Mitchell 25th Sep 2026

    I lost my husband unexpectedly which was an incredibly shocking, bewildering experience. We went to Abbey as they are a small independent firm and feel we got a personal service that was lacking in bigger "chains". James looked after me and my friend who accompanied me on all visits, was kind, caring and empathetic from the start – and didn't appear fazed by our sometimes bizarre requests or questions! He helped arrange the celebrant Gary, recommended a florist and thought of a couple of things I wouldn't have that made a real difference to the day. For example using the Chapel at Kent and Sussex which would work with the number of guests and look great with the horse drawn hearse - it did look really special. I'd booked the horse drawn hearse myself as knew the horses that would be taking Mick on his final journey but James was happy to pick up liaising on that meaning I didn't have to worry about that part of it. Everyone involved was caring and professional, the transfers from the car to the horse drawn hearse were seamless and carried out with the utmost respect to Mick, the sun shone and the day/service were a fitting tribute to someone who is much loved and missed.

  • 5 Tanya Harris 17th Sep 2026

    I cannot thank Karen and the team enough for the wonderful care they gave our family after my father passed away. From our very first meeting, everything was handled with absolute dignity, respect, and deep compassion. Karen guided us through every step without any rush or pressure, making a very painful time much more manageable. On the day of the funeral, the team were calm, organised, and supportive. We are so grateful for all their kindness and professionalism.

  • 5 Judith Stanton 16th Sep 2026

    Very kind and efficient and great communication from Sharon. Thank you very much. 

  • 5 Andrew Saunders 16th Sep 2026

    Did a great service for my Dad and looking after family members , I can see why he wanted this family run funeral company. The staff were excellent and kind throughout . Karen was outstanding, a big thank to her.

  • 5 Matthew Champkin 16th Sep 2026

    Very professional and compassionate service, supported by good understanding of the local facilities and support services we also needed to access.

  • 5 Richard Thomas 16th Sep 2026

    This may have gone out in part as I tried unsuccessfully to complete it on my phone! Sarah could not have been more patient and helpful at all times. Steve organised everything well at the Crematorium keeping us posted throughout.. Thanks to both for making a traumatic experience bearable.

  • 5 June Cooke 26th Aug 2026

    We recieved amazing support from Abbey funerals after loising my father suddenly. Guidance, advice and organising arrangements before, during and after the funeral have been outstanding. We have really appreciated the calm,empathetic and understanding manner demonstrated by all members of the team.

  • 5 Susan Bottle 24th Aug 2026

    I found all staff to be very empathetic and professional on every occasion I had contact with them.
    This helped so much during the whole funeral process.
    The funeral was all that myself, family family and friends could have wished for and indeed what my late husband had wanted.
    Thank you so much for making memories of that special day so positive and memorable.

  • 5 Peter Watkinson 24th Aug 2026

    Extremely helpful and professional service. Used twice now and both occasions were both as good as they can be. Highly recommended.

  • 5 Craig Knowles 20th Aug 2026

    From the moment i walked through the door, the service and guidance we recieved was fantastic. On the day, i honestly could not of asked for a better company to help see my mother on her last journey.

  • 5 Caroline Griffin 20th Aug 2026

    Excellent service all round. Could not fault anything. Would highly recommend

  • 5 Mary Masters 21st Jul 2026

    Thank you for dealing with my mother's death and burial with care, compassion, efficiency and friendliness.

Address
173 High Street
Tonbridge
Kent
TN9 1BX

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

  • 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

John Russell 26th Oct 2026

From the moment we made the first phone call to Abbey Funeral Services, we knew we had made the right decision. The professionalism, courtesy, caring and empathy they showed from start to finish was outstanding

Kevin Rimell 25th Oct 2026

A very friendly family caring service they make you feel very much at ease and take the worry and concerns away always ready to answer any concerns  Very highly recommend The Rimell Family 

Stephanie Smith 23rd Oct 2026

Very happy with service provided. The staff at Abbey were very kind and helpful, and I felt that care was taken to execute all arrangements as agreed.

Reviews
Crematorium
Cemetery
  • Kent and Sussex Crematorium

    Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN2 5JJ

  • Vinters Park Crematorium

    Maidstone, ME14 5LG

  • Medway Crematorium

    Chatham, ME5 9QU

  • Thames View Crematorium & Cemetery

    Gravesend, DA12 3JH

  • Wealden Crematorium

    Horam, TN21 0LH

  • Tonbridge Cemetery

    Tonbridge, TN10 3EL

  • Kent and Sussex Cemetery and Crematorium

    Tunbridge Wells, TN2 5JJ

  • Greatness Cemetery

    Sevenoaks, TN14 5AA

  • Herne Road Cemetery

    Crowborough, TN6 2NT

  • Snodland Cemetery

    Snodland, ME6 5DN

  • Maidstone Cemetery

    Maidstone, ME15 9AF

  • Oxted Burial Ground

    Oxted, RH8 9NB

  • Mount Noddy Cemetery

    East Grinstead, RH19 3HP

  • Biggin Hill Cemetery

    Westerham, TN16 3UB

  • St Marys Cemetery (Bromley)

    Bromley, BR5 3PG

  • Rochester Cemetery

    Chatham, ME4 6HJ

  • Chatham Cemetery

    Chatham, ME4 6HJ

  • Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery

    Croydon, CR6 9EQ

  • Strood Cemetery

    Rochester, ME2 2NJ

  • St Lukes Cemetery

    Bromley, BR2 8EH

Prices vary by time and day of week