A new independent funeral directors has opened its doors in Southport town centre offering ‘a deeply personal and individualised approach to funeral services’.
Hope Funeral Care, at 5 Church Street, is operated by Wendy Chalke and Claire Newland, both well-known figures in Southport and the surrounding areas with 30 years’ experience in the industry between them.
The Official Opening and Chapel Dedication on Saturday (22nd February 2025) was led by Rev Martin Abrams (Methodist Minister and Ecumenical Hospital Chaplain); Cate Baines (Funeral Celebrant); and Father Canon Kevin McLoughlin (Priest Chaplain Southport Hospital and Parish Priest Holy Family Church, Southport).
Guests enjoyed a Bible reading; a reading of the poem ‘This Is The Place’; the Dedication; a prayer, blessing the sprinkling of holy water; a Bible reading; music with Songbird sung by Natasha Hogan; and the ‘What Is Hope’ poem by Vineet Bansal.
Everyone then gathered outside to watch the release of two white doves.
Wendy and Claire said:
“Saturday was a day we will never forget. The sun was shining as we opened our beautiful funeral home.
“The dedication service was filled with love and so much emotion. Thank you to everyone who came to visit and to those who sent messages of support.
“We want our new home to be a welcoming place for anyone who walks in.
“The first thing people will find when they walk in is tea and toast!
“We have over 30 years’ of experience with what we do. We understand the challenges and the emotions that families face and we want to be there for them.
“We are here 24 hours a day for people when they need us.
“We can help to arrange funerals and cremations of all sizes for people with all budgets.
“There is a Chapel at Hope Funeral care which seats up to 40 people, and a beautiful front garden area which contains a seat of reflection.
“We’d like to thank everyone involved for all their hard work in making this home into such a beautiful space.
“We are now ready to do what we do best, and care for you and your loved ones, when you need it more than ever.”
Speaking at the official opening, Rev Martin Abrams said:
“I am incredibly proud to be here and to see how you have transformed the place.
“What you have done in these past few weeks is staggering.
“Cate, Kevin and I feel a great sense of privilege to be here. I was born within a mile of this place, I was Christened at the church across the road, St Mark’s.
“I have been privileged over 38 years to have been entrusted with thousands of funerals.
“I have a great interest in the community, a great interest in the locality, and a greatest interest in how we support people.
“I have known Wendy and Claire for a long time, we have been through both thick and thin together.
“This feels like the pinnacle of everything they have been working towards for so long.
“From the Christian tradition, St Paul ended his Hymn of Love that is so often used for weddings and for funerals with ‘faith, hope and love – these things abide’.”
Cate Baines said:
“Wendy and Claire have this real empathy. Everyone just gets them, everybody just feels the love.
“Because that’s the type of personality I have, we work properly as a team.
“I stand here today filled with heartfelt gratitude and joy as we gather together to celebrate a truly special moment.
“The opening of Hope Funeral Care embodies compassion and understanding in the most profound way.
“It is an honour to share this space with you all, especially with my friends, Wendy and Claire.
“Life is a journey, it is filled with cherished moments. But it also brings with it the heavy burden of loss.
“In those moments of grief, families deserve a nurturing environment where they can honour their loved ones and find some solace.
“The launch of Hope Funeral Care marks a significant step towards a kinder, more compassionate approach to death and to mourning.
“Wendy and Claire, you have poured your hearts into this place to create what I can only describe as a sanctuary.
“Your commitment to providing a deeply personal and individualised approach to funeral services is nothing short of revolutionary.
“I have witnessed first hand the extraordinary compassion you both possess and it is this very quality which will always set Hope apart from others.”
● For more details about Hope Funeral Care please visit: www.hopefuneralcare.co.uk or email: info@hopefuneralcare.co.uk
● You can Follow the Hope Funeral Care page on Facebook
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