Award Winning, Family Run, Independent
Caring Funeral Director In Cardiff Supporting You Every Step Of The Way
At Ivor Thomas Funerals, your local funeral director in Cardiff, we provide compassionate, personalised care when it matters most. We proudly serve families across Cardiff, Caerphilly, Barry and the wider South Wales, with two premises, including a branch less than mile from Thornhill Crematorium.
Contact us today for trusted support from a dedicated team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Arranging a funeral raises so many questions — some practical, some deeply personal. We've tried to answer the ones we're asked most often here, covering everything from costs and cremation to what happens with the ashes and how to handle a family disagreement. If you can't find what you're looking for, please don't hesitate to call us on 029 2169 0022. There's no question too small and absolutely no pressure — just an honest conversation with someone who genuinely wants to help.
A direct cremation includes the collection of the deceased, care in our facilities, completion of all necessary documentation, and the cremation itself, followed by the return of ashes to the family. Our team handles every step with discretion and professionalism to ease the administrative burden on loved ones.
Yes. Many families choose a direct cremation and arrange a memorial, celebration of life, or scattering ceremony at a later date that feels right for them. This option offers flexibility and allows families to take time before gathering to remember their loved one.
Absolutely. Even with a simple service, our team provides full guidance and compassionate support throughout the entire process.
Direct cremation is typically unattended. If you would prefer a attended service, we can discuss alternative cremation options.
Timing depends on documentation and crematorium availability, but we always aim to proceed as promptly and smoothly as possible.
No. We are transparent about pricing and explain all costs clearly before any arrangements are confirmed.
Bespoke funeral services are fully personalised arrangements designed around your wishes. This can include the type of service, music, readings, caskets, floristry, and personal tributes, all planned with dedicated guidance and care.
Personalized funerals focus on the individual’s life, values, and preferences rather than a fixed format. This allows families greater flexibility and choice, creating a farewell that feels meaningful and reflective of the person being remembered.
Yes. Direct cremation services can be arranged as a standalone option or combined with a personalised memorial or celebration of life held separately, depending on your wishes.
By arranging one funeral per day, we ensure each family receives our full attention, unhurried support, and consistent care throughout the planning and service process.
Yes. While based in Cardiff, we also support families in Barry, Caerphilly, and across South Wales, providing the same compassionate and personalised care in every community we serve.
Even though we cannot book a date without the paperwork from the registrars (or coroners), we can still complete the rest of the paperwork and sort out most of the finer details.
Burial is when someone is laid to rest within a grave, while cremation is when the person is cremated.
We understand things can change, so as long as you let us know ASAP, we will always endeavour to make any changes you request.
Disbursements are essentially third-party costs. The most common within a funeral are the burial or cremation fee and officiant’s fees. Unlike most funeral directors, we include these within our advertised price to simplify the costs.
There is no set time between arranging the funeral and its taking place, as many factors could affect the timescale. We will work with you to organise a fitting date, whether it is ASAP or later in the future.
Seven people can sit in a limousine in two rows of three and one in front with the driver. However, we can also provide suitable transport for various numbers of people.
Yes, but we must organise a statutory declaration for £10.
This depends on the crematorium, but we can generally hand you the ashes within a week of the cremation.
There are three main options for dealing with the ashes: keeping, burying, or scattering them. However, there are hundreds of options for what you can do with a small amount of the ashes, from putting them in fireworks and vinyl records to making jewellery and candle holders.
The final decision is to land at the location where you want the funeral to take place. However, we would generally suggest having an open viewing at a designated arena for those you wish to be present, as there won’t be much time at the service for people to say their goodbyes.
Most crematoriums return ashes in a cardboard casket, which you can receive. Although most people choose a casket or scatter tube, we have also had requests for a briefcase or a specialised urn, so we will work to ensure that the receptacle you choose best suits your loved one.
No, and we do not recommend it. Although we will provide it at a family’s request, we use alternate methods that we believe are more dignified, respectful, work better, and greener for the environment.
Given that we already have the clothing you desire, we can book a viewing within 48 hours of receiving it in our care.
If you cannot or do not want to have the arrangement meeting in person, we can do this either over the phone or by video call. Any documents that need to be signed can be sent by post or email for your signature.
Most churches and crematoriums offer a webcast service, meaning people who are given the details can watch the service online. If they do not, we can work with the applicant to ensure that those most important can watch.
Deciding on the final resting place can be difficult, so please ask us any questions that will help. In the meantime, we will hold the ashes free of charge for two months, after which we will charge a fee of £1 per night.
Our contract states that 50% of the initial estimate must be paid a week before the funeral, and the balance must be paid within 14 days of the funeral date. If the full payment is not received within 14 days, we retain the right to add a late payment fee of 15% of the initial balance. However, we assess each situation individually and will work with you to reach an agreement that works for both parties.
Some funeral directors give their prices but don’t include disbursement, so we don’t do this. When we provide a price, it will consist of the major third-party costs you must pay. We believe in keeping the pricing simple, and if you want something with an additional fee, we will tell you before we act on it.
We accept funeral payments from the DWP and charitable organisations and can offer advice on where to find help. We also understand that situations change, so if you need to amend an agreed payment, let us know, and we will work with you to change the written agreement.
We understand families can disagree, especially at highly emotional times. If a disagreement cannot be resolved within the family, we will have to take the final decision from the person who signed the contract.
If You're Looking For A Funeral Director In Cardiff, We're Here To Help With Care, Compassion, And Experience You Can Trust.
029 2169 0022