Bungard Funeral Directors Nominated for Best Funeral Director of the Year 2026
We are delighted to announce that Bungard Funeral Directors has been nominated for Best Funeral Director of the Year in the 2026 Good Funeral Awards.
This recognition means a great deal to everyone at Bungard because it reflects the trust that local families place in us during some of life’s most difficult moments.
As an independent family funeral director serving Brighton & Hove and the surrounding areas since 1906, we have always believed that every funeral should be as individual as the person being remembered. Whether families choose a simple service or a more personalised farewell, our role is to provide compassionate guidance, attention to detail and support every step of the way.
The Good Funeral Awards celebrate excellence across the funeral profession, recognising those who are committed to providing outstanding care and service. To be nominated alongside so many respected funeral professionals is an honour in itself.
This nomination also reflects the dedication of our entire team. Every member of Bungard Funeral Directors works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure every family receives the highest standard of care, professionalism and kindness.
We were previously honoured to receive a nomination in 2019, when our Principal Funeral Director, Ben Day, was recognised. To receive another nomination in 2026 is something we are incredibly proud of.
Most importantly, we would like to thank every family who has placed their confidence in us. It is a privilege to help people honour the lives of those they love, and we never take that responsibility for granted.
Whatever the outcome of the awards, we are grateful for the recognition and remain committed to providing the personal, compassionate service that has been at the heart of Bungard Funeral Directors for more than 120 years.
We are proud to reveal our new charity of the year! Stay Up Late
We are delighted to announce that our Charity of the Year is Stay Up Late, a fantastic local grassroots organisation championing the rights of adults with learning disabilities and autistic people to live full, social, and joyful lives.
Stay Up Late and Gig Buddies work to end inflexible support systems and make sure everyone has the freedom to enjoy nights out, build real friendships, and make their own choices about how they want to live. Their mission is simple but powerful: ensuring everyone gets to live a gloriously ordinary life.
They shared this with us: “We are delighted to have the support of Bungard Funeral Directors. Their generosity will enable people with learning disabilities and autistic people to enjoy real friendships, nights out, and an active social life – experiences that many of us take for granted but which can feel out of reach without the right support.”
We’re proud to support such meaningful work and look forward to helping raise awareness and funds throughout the year.
For more information about Stay Up Late or to find out how to become a buddy yourself please go to: https://stayuplate.org/
or visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/StayUpLateUK/?locale=en_GB
A Wonderful Evening at The Small Awards 2026
On Thursday 21st May, James and Richard Whittle travelled to London to attend The Small Awards 2026 as finalists in the Legacy Award category.
While we didn’t come home with the trophy, we couldn’t be prouder to have been shortlisted alongside some truly exceptional family businesses from across the UK.
A huge congratulations goes to Hoe Grange Holidays, worthy winners of the Legacy Award. Their story, commitment and achievements were genuinely inspiring, and they were a fantastic choice for this year’s winner.
The evening itself was unforgettable. The food was excellent, the entertainment from the London Gay Men’s Chorus was outstanding, and the company at our table made the night even more enjoyable. We were delighted to spend the evening with Lee Wakeham from HM Pasties, Abbey Booth from Stories With Clothes, and Jess and Mike from Edis Media.
It was particularly exciting to be seated with Lee from HM Pasties, who went on to win both the Heart of Gold Award and the overall Small Business of the Year Award. Sharing a table with such a deserving winner made us feel like part of the celebrations and reminded us just how many remarkable small businesses there are across the country.
The evening was a powerful reminder of the contribution small businesses make to their communities, local economies and the people they serve every day.
We would like to thank Small Business Britain and The Small Awards team for organising such a fantastic event and for recognising the work of family businesses across the UK.
Most importantly, thank you to the families who place their trust in us and to our community in Brighton & Hove. Being shortlisted on a national stage was an honour in itself, and one that we were proud to share with our team, our family and everyone who has supported Bungard Funeral Directors over the years.
🌞 A Bright Step Forward at Bungards
Celebrating the Launch of the Ageing Well Festival 2025
This morning (26th September 2025), Richard from Bungard Funeral Directors attended the launch of the 10th Anniversary of the Ageing Well Festival, held at the historic Theatre Royal, Brighton and organised by the local charity Impact Initiatives.
We were warmly welcomed by Penny from Impact Initiatives, who invited us to be a sponsor for this year’s festival. We are especially delighted as Impact Initiatives is also our chosen Charity of the Year for 2025–2026.
The launch was a joyful occasion, with the Deputy Mayor, Ty Galvin, in attendance to say a few words, and with a real sense of community as this much-loved festival begins.
This year’s Ageing Well Festival is bigger than ever, with 126 events across 88 venues over the next two weeks, celebrating life, creativity, health, and community in later years.
For Richard, the launch was also a personal treat. Having been a bit of a theatre enthusiast in his youth, he particularly enjoyed standing on the stage of the Theatre Royal and experiencing the special intimacy between performers and the audience. The opportunity to go backstage afterwards was a real highlight too!
At Bungard Funeral Directors, we are proud to support initiatives like this that bring people together, celebrate ageing in positive ways, and strengthen our local community.
👉 You can find out more about the festival and its programme of events here: Ageing Well Festival Events
Turning Grief Into Good: Bungards’ Charitable Journey
Since 1st March 2025, we’ve raised a whopping £16,820.51p for 20 charities across the UK!
Our families have chosen to support causes that matter deeply to them and to our community, including hospice care, mental health, children’s services, and animal charities.
We’re incredibly grateful to the families who’ve chosen to honour their loved ones through charitable donations. Your kindness helps create lasting legacies and brings hope to others.
Reuniting a Family After 62 Years: The Remarkable Story of Margaret Mackillop’s Ashes
Every now and then, a story comes along that reminds us why we do what we do. This is one of those stories—and I’m so proud to share it.
It all began in April 1963, when Bungards held the funeral of Mrs Margaret Mackillop, a local resident who lived just across the road from our office in Hove. Her devoted husband, Archibald, made sure she had the finest farewell possible: a beautifully polished coffin and two of our best limousines. Nothing was too much trouble for his beloved Margaret.
Archibald had a Sunday ritual—calling his family in Ireland using the phone at the local newsagents. But not long after Margaret’s passing, he fell ill. Concerned for his wellbeing, the newsagent pressed redial after one of Archibald’s Sunday visits and alerted his family in Ireland to the fact that Archibald appeared very unwell. In a touching act of compassion, they came over and took him back home to care for him. And so, Margaret’s ashes remained with us, quietly stored away for the next 62 years.
Over the years, I have made several attempts to trace Margaret’s family, but each time I came up short. This year, I decided to try something new: Ancestry. To my amazement, I found a link to Archibald—and even a photo of him standing beside a cruise ship! I enlisted the help of my mum, an avid Ancestry researcher, and within two hours we received an email from a family member who knew Margaret and Archibald’s grandchildren.
The response was overwhelming. Margaret’s grandchildren were overjoyed to hear from us. They had no idea their grandmother had been resting just across the street from their old home in Hove. After many heartfelt emails, it was decided: One of the grandchildren would travel up from Cornwall to collect Grandma and take her back so the family could all get together to honour her final wish—to be scattered at sea!
After 62 years, we’ve finally brought a loving family back together with their grandmother. In doing so, we’ve honoured our promise to return her home. Stories like this remind us of the profound emotional bonds that lie at the heart of every funeral—and why perseverance matters. As a sweet thank-you, Margaret’s grandchildren sent me a beautiful box of chocolates. My heart is full… though my waistline might not be quite as grateful!
Lets Get Moving! – Free sessions for all ages across the city
Brighton & Hove City Council have an array of free activities across the city for all ages to try out. Their Healthy Lifestyles Team have put together a host of things to do! Choose from ‘Healthwalks’, Dancing, Zumba, Boccia (indoor Bowls) Table Tennis, and In Shape for Life sessions. Theres also a whole host of things for kids to do for free across the city too.
Check out whats on offer by visiting https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/events/activeforlife?page=1 for a calendar of all the free sessions available across the city and to download the Lets Get Moving brochure. Perfect for people on a budget, for those who want to meet new friends or to just out try something new.
Understanding Direct Cremation: What It Really Means and Why It Matters
A Direct Cremation is simply a cremation without a formal funeral service. It can be the perfect choice for some people, offering a straightforward, no-fuss option. However, it’s important to understand that it may not be the right choice for everyone.
Funerals play a crucial role in the grieving process. They offer a meaningful opportunity to say goodbye, to gather with loved ones, and to begin the journey of healing. Postponing this moment in favour of a celebration later might feel easier at first, but it can sometimes leave a gap in the emotional process of saying farewell.
At Bungards, we’ve been helping families navigate this journey for over 100 years. Our goal is to make the process of arranging a funeral as smooth and stress-free as possible. Every family is unique, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to saying goodbye. That’s why we encourage open conversations with your loved ones about their wishes. As the saying goes, “A funeral is for the living, not for the dead.”
Below, you’ll find a comparison between the Direct Cremation service we provide and those offered by national providers. You might be surprised to learn that our Direct Cremations are often more affordable—with no hidden costs, unlike many online or call centre-based providers. Our pricing is transparent, and everything you need is included.
| Direct Cremation Service |  |
National Online
Providers |
|---|---|---|
| Will my cremation take place in Brighton? | Yes – At Woodvale or Downs Crematorium | No |
| Will I be cared for in a local funeral home? | Yes – You will remain with us throughout | No |
| Can my ashes be collected quickly after the cremation? | Yes – Often available the next day | No |
| Will my family be told the date and time of my cremation? | Yes – With family input on the date and time | No |
| Can items like photos be placed in my coffin with me? | Yes – Photos, drawings and keepsakes are welcome | No |
| If I wish, can people visit me in the chapel of rest? | Yes – Your family can say goodbye in person | No |
| Are my family allowed to watch me being carried into the Crematorium? | Yes – Family may attend your arrival and placement if they wish to | No |
| How do I get to the crematorium? | In a hearse with a team professional bearers to carry you in | Removal van |
| Can I be dressed in my own clothes? | Yes | No |
A Heartfelt Thank You to James Whittle
Today, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to James Whittle, Dip.FD, MBIFD, for his unwavering dedication, hard work, and service to our family firm since 1968 as he steps down as a Director of the Company.
The son of Leonard and Margaret Whittle (née Bungard) and educated at Brighton College, James joined the company over five decades ago, becoming a Director in 1971 and later Company Secretary and Joint Managing Director in 1973. His commitment to the profession led him to earn a Diploma from the National Association of Funeral Directors in 1975, and he was also a founding member of the British Institute of Funeral Directors in 1982—a testament to his passion for excellence in funeral care.
Beyond his professional achievements, James has always been dedicated to his community. Having lived in Henfield, he served as a churchwarden and trustee at St Peter’s Church and Primary School and has been Honorary Treasurer of both St Peter’s Church and Henfield Youth Club for over two decades.
Now residing in Scaynes Hill with his wife Ann, James is a proud father to Mark and Richard and a loving grandfather to five grandchildren—two of whom are twins, just like his mother and aunt!
James, your commitment, kindness, and leadership have left a lasting impact on our firm and the families we serve. Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do. 💙
#ThankYouJames #FamilyBusiness #DedicatedService #CommunitySpirit