Such rigid practices could not last, and by the turn of the 20th Century habits of mourning began to change. A key factor was the acceptance of Cremation as an alternative to burial, whilst the sheer number of deaths in the First World War led to a considerable relaxation in funeral behaviour.

Recent years have seen a shift in emphasis from the mourning of a loved one, to the celebration of his or her life. This is reflected in the attire of the mourners, the nature of the funeral service, especially the music now played at funerals, and even the type of coffin chosen for the deceased.

Whilst “Hawaiian shirt” funerals are still a minority, we regularly provide a themed colour to funerals. This may reflect a particular charity supported by the deceased e.g. breast cancer) or even the colours of their favourite football team! Colourful coffins are often a fitting tribute to the life of an individual whilst their construction from natural materials is more in tune with today’s attitudes towards the environment.

We are able to call upon the services of a number of officiates who will listen to your requests and provide the type of service that truly reflects the attitude and character of the deceased. Horse drawn carriages, motor cycles, vintage vehicles, even a pink hearse. All are available to make the funeral of your loved one a special and memorable occasion. Please speak to any of our staff for further information.

Following his recent medical MOT, our managing director Nicky Uden has decided to change the habits of a lifetime and embark upon a new fitness regime. Those of you up early enough may be fortunate to see him pounding the streets of South London in an effort to regain his lost youth. He is desperately in need of moral support, so please call Nicky at our head office on 020 8850 2868, to wish him well on this epic adventure.

Good luck dad!

Matthew Uden

We congratulate George Collett, who has managed our Biggin Hill Branch for the past 5 years, on his retirement. As many of you know, George is an ordained minister attached to The Holy Trinity Church in Bromley Common and will continue to assist families who require a Church of England minister to speak at a funeral service. Together with Graham Horak, our civil celebrant, we are able to provide trained, compassionate officiates who will deliver the sort of service you want in celebration of the life of your loved one.

Our Biggin Hill branch is now in the care of Nigel Jones who will continue to provide the same compassionate help and service to bereaved families that is synonymous with our Company.

It’s not just the men within our family who help and support others. My wife Lucy is currently in strict training for the London to Paris Cycle ride which will take place in 18th – 22nd September when she will be raising money for The Alzheimers Society. If you wish to support her please go to http://www.justgiving.com/lucymaddinuden and watch this space for updates on her progress.

Naturally at this time of year our thoughts turn to all things associated with Spring. Nicky has been preparing his allotment and we look forward to a fine crop of onions and beans this year.

On behalf of all the Uden family we wish you all a happy and peaceful Easter.

Best wishes,

Matthew Uden

Our senior colleague, David Uden, now takes on the mantle of “Father of the Firm” and we are pleased to welcome Michael Uden, Jason Uden and Matthew Uden onto our Board of Directors where they join our current management team, David and Andrew Uden, together with our Managing Director, Nicholas Uden.

Despite the proliferation of new businesses established as funeral directors in this area, together with an overall decline in the death rate throughout the Country; W. Uden & Sons continue to increase our service to the local community. We have achieved this in the face of stiff competition and a challenging economic climate, whilst continuing to provide the highest quality of service that is the envy of all our competitors.

You and your loved ones are assured of our personal attention throughout all the funeral arrangements. We believe our costs are competitive and wholly consistent with the level of service and attention we provide. Please speak to any of our managers for a complete breakdown of funeral expenses, together with an explanation of the disbursements that apply to every funeral.

If you haven’t already done so, may I invite you to look at some of the unsolicited testimonials submitted in respect of our work. It is gratifying to receive such praise and we appreciate that our clients have taken the time to acknowledge our commitment to our chosen profession.

On a lighter note, Nicky is now preparing his allotment for the spring sowing, and we all look forward to the abundance of fresh vegetables he distributes to us all. If anyone would live to share the fruits of his labours, please call him at the Eltham Office on 020 8850 2868. I know he will be pleased to hear from you.

At this time of year we are especially pleased to help another busy person with their special work. On Saturday 10^th. November W. Uden & Sons, in association with N. Cook, (carriage masters), were happy to provide a horse drawn carriage to bring Father Christmas to Bexleyheath.

On Thursday 15^th. November when Santa arrived in Eltham the staff of W. Uden and sons joined in the celebrations by decorating our Eltham Branch (and one of our Limousines) with Christmas lights whilst distributing wine, mince pies and good cheer to local people. We were also joined by the Rock Choir who gave an impromptu performance outside our shop.

The following Saturday 17^th November, our carriage was again  in service conveying Steve McFadden, (star of Eastenders) together with the Mayor and others to the Broadway Shopping Centre to turn on the Christmas lights.

We are especially pleased to welcome Spencer Baxter. A funeral director for over 15 years with a wealth of experience in all aspects of the funeral trade.

Mr. Spencer Baxter

Spencer is going to be working directly with Jason Uden at the Sidcup Branch, in a key role looking after the families of Sidcup and surrounding areas as we have done for so many years.

Another recent addition to our workforce is Charlie Uden;

Mr. Charlie Uden

the youngest Uden to join our long established family business. Charlie is the son of Andrew Uden, the manager of our Camberwell and Dulwich branches. Andrew’s younger son, Jack, continues with this full time education before deciding if he is going to follow in the family footsteps or “get a proper job”!

Although we are a traditional firm with old-fashioned values and standards, we fully appreciate how people’s expectations and requirements of funerals have changed in recent years. We understand that not everyone now wants a religious service. Indeed, the manner of celebrating the life of a loved one in only limited by your wishes and imagination.

Of course we can arrange a vicar or priest to conduct your service. At the same time we have a number of officiates and celebrants who have no affiliation to any particular faith and will lead a service according to your wishes rather than the dictates of any church or religion.

Nowadays a funeral doesn’t have to be a solemn occasion. Pink ties or Hawaiian shirts, music and intimate personal tributes can help to personalise a funeral service and provide a lasting memory for your loved one. Please speak to any of our staff for further information.

I know how popular my dad’s gardening tips have become amongst those regular visitors to our website. Nicky is also a keen DIY enthusiast who cannot wait for his 60^th birthday so he can get his 10% discount card at B&Q. Meanwhile my mum Julie has asked if next month she can share her traditional recipe for home baked Christmas cake and mince pies.

Yum Yum!

Regards,

Matthew Uden

Ken Powell, who has been with us for 10 years, since his retirement from the Metropolitan Police, has finally agreed to spend more time with his wife and family. We thank him for his commitment and contribution to our achievements over the past decade and wish him well for the future.

We welcome Ex Naval Provost Colin Gent who joins us in September. Colin will undertake a variety or duties, not all of which have even been invented yet. That’s the beauty of working for a family business; you never know what you may be doing tomorrow. The only certainty is that sometime during the day you will definitely have to wash and polish at least one of our Luxury funeral vehicles.

We continue to support bereaved families throughout this area, not just by providing an unrivalled funeral service at a time of need, but by assisting in the planning and preparation of funerals, together with advice and assistance on memorials and other means of commemorating a loved one. Please contact any of our experienced staff for further information.

Not many people realise that my Dad, in addition to running a successful business, is also a keen and dedicated gardener. He has therefore graciously agreed to share his skills and knowledge with us all by providing seasonal tips throughout the year.

This month’s tip: Take cuttings of tender perennial, such as verbenas, argyranthemums, fuchsias, salvias and pelargonium ’ s. Dip the cuttings into a hormone rooting compound before inserting them into small pots of half and half peat and perlite or peat and silver sand. Water in well and keep the cuttings in a cold frame or even on warm windowsill out of direct sunlight. They should root within eight weeks and can then be potted up in Multi-Purpose compost and overwintered in a heated greenhouse or on a bedroom windowsill

Thanks Dad, We look forward to more of your gems of wisdom in the future.

In addition to caring for the deceased we will prepare them for their funeral by dressing them in a funeral gown or their own clothes if desired.

Family and friends are welcome to attend our chapels by appointment to view the body and make their final farewell. If required a small service can be held on our premises prior to the funeral.

Please feel free to call into any of our branches to inspect our facilities and let us know how we can be of assistance to you.

Seven “Mr Udens”, together with their experienced staff were in attendance to greet visitors and answer their questions. On display outside the shop was a Victorian horse drawn hearse, reflecting times past, whilst next to it was a motorcycle chariot hearse, indicating the possibilities for the future. The present was represented by Udens’ current fleet of nine Jaguar XJ funeral vehicles, together with a Rolls Royce hearse and matching limousine, all proudly bearing the distinctive UDN number plates.

We would like extend our gratitude to all the well wishers and everyone that has been involved in the making of this beautiful premises. We’re looking forward to being a solid part of the community for many years to come.

He was amazed at the outcome, and has indicated he hopes to return on Saturday 16^th June to visit us again on our “OPEN DAY”

Why not join us and Boris. Meet the Uden Family and inspect our cars and premises.  You will be amazed at the quality of all aspects of our business”.

Note your diary. SATURDAY 16^th JUNE 10am to 3pm.

Here is Boris with Nick & Pat

“OPEN DAY”

SATURDAY 16th JUNE 2012

On behalf of all the Uden Family I would like to invite you to an “OPEN DAY” at our new premises in Townley Road Bexleyheath, just off The Broadway, on Saturday 16^th June 2012 between 10am and 3pm

You will have the opportunity to meet family members and our experienced staff who will be pleased to discuss our work and how we can assist you. In addition to looking around our flagship branch, we hope you will inspect our vehicles, including a Horse Drawn and a Motor Cycle hearse, will be on display in The Broadway.

Please join us for a coffee and see why we are so proud of the quality of our premises, our vehicles and the service we provide.

We look forward to meeting you on Saturday 16^th June.

You can download our Open Day Flyer here.

Matthew Uden