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
A.J.Wakely & Sons Chard is a family-run funeral director in Chard that has been providing an independent funeral director service to the bereaved since 1986. In the summer of 2026, they moved from Holyrood Street to brand new, larger premises at 59 Fore Street.
A.J.Wakely & Sons date back to 1897, and they opened an office in Chard in 1986. Over the past three decades they have built a long-standing association with the community by helping bereaved families and working with local churches and groups. At the end of 2018, the office was refurbished to create a comfortable and relaxed environment for families to visit.
The Chard funeral home is run by Leah Wakely, who has a Diploma in Funeral Arranging and Administration (DipFAA). In 1996, after leaving school, Leah started her career in Bridport working and training alongside her father, David Wakely, and brother, Simon Wakely. Following a career break to raise a family, Leah returned to work in 2014 at the Lyme Regis office, later moving to run the Chard and Ilminster offices. During her time with A.J.Wakely & Sons she has enjoyed directing funerals for local families and building relationships with local churches and businesses.
A.J.Wakely & Sons Chard are proud members of: National Association of Funeral Directors & The National Society of Allied & Independent Funeral Directors. Call them today to begin planning the perfect funeral for your loved one.
What Families Say
AI Summary
Many families emphasise the care and consideration shown throughout their arrangements, describing staff as kind, compassionate and understanding at what they recognise as a difficult time. Several mention how this supportive approach—combined with clear explanations of options and gentle guidance—removed worry and stress from the process.
Families regularly note that the funeral day itself ran smoothly and as they had wished, with staff described as organised, professional and unhurried. A number of reviews mention the value of having initial meetings at home, and appreciation for staff remaining available to answer questions as arrangements progressed.
This summary is generated by AI from recent verified reviews.
Verified Reviews
Verified Reviews
5Linda Bower6th Aug 2026
Everything was organised as we wanted and the staff were very professional and considerate. Made a difficult time that much easier, thank you.
5Michael Harris6th Jan 2026
Leah and Jayne at Wakely’s were really nice, kind, and supportive during this difficult time. They were very professional and I would recommend there services should anyone need assistance in the future.
5Wayne Ball6th Jan 2026
Very Helpful from start to finish , All the staff are wonderful,And I thank you for the way you looked after my father 🙏🏻
5Melanie Harper6th Jan 2026
The team could not have been more helpful.
5Jennifer Poxon12th Nov 2025
Leah and the whole team were so supportive throughout the funeral preparations and on the day of the cremation - many thanks Wakely’s for a seamless and sympathetic service.
5Douglas Penn29th Oct 2025
I was very pleased with the service that A J Wakely provided for the funeral of my wife. The lady at their Chard office provided much help and advice for which I was very grateful.
5Lynn Johnson7th Oct 2025
I cannot thank you enough for your kind love and support throughout, from the first phone call and meeting at home, you took away all the worry of arrangements from details of the funeral, cars, flowers, every thing was just so right on the day, the muchloved tribute site proved essential, the gestures of dignity for mum in her final journey, Leah, Jayne and Alicen created the most wonderful celebration of life service for mum and captured everything about her happy nature and positive outlook, the story of her life and in photos, the order of service including mums colouring and paintings was absolutely beautiful, bespoke and I will treasure it. An your ongoing support. Thank You All So Very Much. X
5Angela Shillingford6th Oct 2025
Brilliant I can’t thank them enough for all the help and compassion they showed all of us at a very difficult time,nothing was to much trouble for them,from the arrangements for the funeral to the internment of the ashes,can’t thank them enough .
4Avril Taylor17th Jul 2025
Your consideration, professionalism and general care from the moment I first contacted you, made all the difference to a difficult and challenging time.
5Kirsten Parrish26th Jun 2025
Leah and Jayne were superb, as were the undertakers who came to take our lovely stepdad away from home on the night of his death. They were calm, polite and caring at an incredibly tough and frightening time for us.
Leah was kind, measured, practical and understanding when she came to see us, and Jayne was so helpful when we had awful issues with the death certificate afterwards. It's such a bewildering time for families, so having people that understand your distress and help as much as they possibly can is so important. Would absolutely recommend to others.
5Michelle Arnold2nd Jun 2025
Leah and the team where vet helpful
5Geraldine Wills2nd Jun 2025
Leah was extremely helpful at all stages of the planning and execution of the services for my late husband. I hoped for and got sympathetic and professional support which made a challenging time much easier to deal with.
5Geraldine Wills1st May 2025
Leah is friendly, helpful, professional and efficient so I knew I could safely leave all the arrangements for my husband's cremation and interment in her hands.
5Andy Aldridge1st May 2025
Outstanding service from beginning end compassionate thoughtful understanding with professional guidance all the way through I would highly recommend to anybody
5Joan Parsons31st Mar 2025
Leah was so lovely and made everything so much easier to deal with because she was so kind, understanding and so respectful. She wanted to make sure the funeral was personal to us and that we had it the way we wanted. She gave us advice and guidance and supported us as a family during a very difficult time. We never felt rushed with anything and could plan things with time to think. Leah went above and beyond for us as a family and we are so very thankful and really did appreciate everything. The funeral went well and it was a lovely service.
5Susan Fowler31st Mar 2025
Wakelys were very good, they are so kind and helpful at your worst time, nothing is to much trouble and they are there for you when ever you need them, or need to know anything.They advise thought out the funeral arrangements .
The reception staff are so kind and look after you, and the actual funeral ran smooth and all staff were in no rush and very well organised.
Would recommend them to anyone.
5Marlene Collins13th Mar 2025
Thank you so much for all the very caring help and support given to me and my family in planning and organising my Husband’s recent funeral. It really made a day I was dreading go very smoothly and pressure free!
Marlene Collins
5Paul Turner24th Feb 2025
Superb and attentive.
5Katrina Large15th Feb 2025
Leah and her team were empathetic and took away the stress of having to organise a funeral at a difficult time. Everything happened as it should and nothing was too much trouble. Thank you
5Mandi Pink2nd Feb 2025
Such a kind, considerate and professional team. We have used them for both our Mum (Feb 2015) and our Dad's (Jan 2025) funeral.
5Sally Parker5th Dec 2024
Fantastic support
5Karina Day3rd Dec 2024
They helped us through a very difficult time and took off the added pressure for us. Nothing was too much trouble. Very patient, kind and genuine. Highly recommend!! An asset to the company. Massive thank you!
5Tina Raddon1st Sep 2024
This is an old family business and it shows. I found Leah to be extremely empathetic and well-organised - and even helped us with booking the venue for the wake which I was not expecting. The lady in the office (Kate?) was also lovely. They were very professional whilst being warm, flexible and easy going.
4Roger Derryman3rd Jul 2024
Could not have been better!
5Margaretta Timson2nd Jul 2024
We had to arrange a funeral with AJ Wakely for the third time in as many years, and I must say that everything was handled impeccably. Leah was exceptional in providing unwavering support, going above and beyond her duties as an undertaker. The entire team at AJ Wakely demonstrated outstanding care and empathy, proving to be a credit to the company. Without Leah's support, we wouldn't have been able to navigate through that challenging time, and for that, we will always be grateful to her and the team.
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
Linda Bower6th Aug 2026
Everything was organised as we wanted and the staff were very professional and considerate. Made a difficult time that much easier, thank you.
Michael Harris6th Jan 2026
Leah and Jayne at Wakely’s were really nice, kind, and supportive during this difficult time. They were very professional and I would recommend there services should anyone need assistance in the future.
Wayne Ball6th Jan 2026
Very Helpful from start to finish , All the staff are wonderful,And I thank you for the way you looked after my father 🙏🏻
NAFD Member
SAIF Member