News & Events

October 2024

Halifax Highlights Hike Update

As President of the British Institute of Funeral Directors 2023-2024, Amanda raised £5,000 for her chosen charity, Andy's Man Club. 

This was through the sponsorship of her Charity Walk in August, and the Raffle Draw at her outgoing Presidential Gala Dinner in October.

See pics below

August 2024

Saturday 31st August 2024

Amanda's fundraiser for ANDYSMANCLUB

Andy’s Man Club is my British Institute of Funeral Director’s Presidential Charity of the Year 2024,
chosen by me to help all men who need to talk, and to prevent male suicide.

I will be walking for 8 miles around Calderdale with friends & colleagues, stopping off at historical points of interest, and having a picnic in Shibden Park - setting off from my Funeral Parlour, of course.

Watch out for the pics!

Please would you consider sponsoring us?

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

For more info and to donate, please click the link below.

January 2024

Amanda is New President

Amanda proudly became the National President of

the British Instititute of Funeral Directors

in the Autumn of 2023, representing the whole of the UK's Independent Funeral Directors.

She is currently planning the Annual BIFD Conference & Gala Dinner at Cedar Court Hotel, Ainley Top, for October 2024, where she will be providing a warm Yorkshire welcome to many BIFD members from across the UK.

The Friendly Brass Band, from Halifax, will start the proceedings and there will be a Yorkshire Theme

throughout the whole evening!

December 2023

Annual Memorial Christmas Tree Day

All are welcome to our Annual Memorial Christmas Tree Day on THURSDAY 14th DECEMBER 2023

11am to 3pm, where you can create & place a Memorial Christmas Tag for your loved one, on our beautiful Norwegian Spruce, in the Greenwood Room.

Tea, Coffee & Mince Pies will be served, with donations to Overgate Hospice appreciated.

November 2023

WHITEKNIGHTS Founder has Spectacular Funeral

It was such a privilege to carry out the Celebration of the Life of VIC SISWICK, on 23rd November.

Vic was the founder of WHITENIGHTS Yorkshire Blood Bikes, a voluntary organisation who deliver blood to hospitals & hospices, out of normal working hours.

Over 40 of the bikers who volunteer for WHITENIGHTS turned out to escort Vic to his final resting place - before taking him on a ‘Tour of Respect’ around Calderdale Royal Hospital, despite the wind & rain.

Pictures used with kind permission of Vic’s family

July 2023

Double Funeral of Keith & Dawn Spencer

It's not every day that we carry out a Double Funeral - but very sadly, Keith, then Dawn passed away within two weeks of each other earlier this summer. Their son, Nick, wrote these heartfelt comments.

''Nothing will ever prepare you for losing both parents in short succession - furthermore, I also faced the additional challenge of living on the other side of the world, in Australia.

Amanda and her team simplified the requirements for us, when only a week into planning one funeral it became a joint funeral.

I highly valued the personal time and commitment from Amanda, and I felt confident that Mum and Dad would have approved.

A sincere thank you for helping us to create a memory that was a very fitting Celebration of Lives."

With kind permission of Nick Spencer, July 2023

20th April 2023

Prepaid Funeral Plan Open Day

Everyone knows where to find our Funeral Parlour at Salterhebble Hill in Halifax - and we have a large, FREE CAR PARK!

So come along to our Open Day on THURSDAY 20th APRIL 2023 (11am-3pm) for a nosey inside, and to meet & get to know Amanda, her son Michael, & Jill, our friendly Funeral Assistant, all here to answer any funerial questions you may have.

FREE TEA, COFFEE & CAKES  

We’ll also have a ‘Prepaid Funeral Plans’ expert on hand, to discuss making financial provision for the future.

Don’t go to the corporates, stay LOCAL & support your INDEPENDENT, FAMILY RUN Funeral Directors who are the only ones that can give you & your loved ones the truly PERSONAL SERVICE that they deserve - however simple or elaborate a funeral you’re thinking of.

1st March 2023

New for 2023!

Chapel of Rest Funeral Service

(followed by a Direct Cremation)

Families are often waiting for up to four weeks for a timeslot at Park Wood Crematorium, Elland. This can be very distressing, as the funeral service plays an important role in the grieving process. To help relieve this stress on our families, we can offer the following service much sooner.

The Funeral Service would be held in our comfortable, air-conditioned, private Chapel of Rest (maximum capacity is 40 people) followed by a Direct Cremation (also known as an Unattended Funeral). The cremation would take place at a crematorium of our choosing at a time and date chosen by the Funeral Director, and would not be on the same day as the service in our Chapel of Rest. Including care & collection of the deceased during normal working hours from a hospital or coroner’s mortuary**, the crematorium fee, doctor's fee, Minister/Celebrant to take the service, and a good quality wood veneered coffin*. 

This option is ideal for funerals which will have a smaller gathering, as our Private Chapel of Rest is cosy & intimate; a perfect space to say your final goodbye. This service also represents a significant saving of over £570 compared to the service being held at Park Wood Crematorium, Elland. 

All Inclusive Total Cost - £2,859

Optional extras may be added if desired.

(please visit our Price List Page for full details)

5th January 2023

Cost of Living Price Freeze

Due to the ‘Cost of Living Crisis’ that we are seeing during these cold Winter months, we have decided to FREEZE our Professional Fees for all of our Cremation & Burial Plans at Amanda Dalby Funeral Services until the Spring - 20th March 2023. See our Funeral Costs page for a full breakdown of our Plans:
www.halifaxfunerals.co.uk

Please note: additional fees & disbursements beyond our control remain subject to change, including Crematorium, Church, Cemetery, Minister & Celebrant fees, doctors fees, flowers, newspaper notices & orders of service.

18th July 2022

Nationwide Heat Warning

It’s going to be a hot one this week, so we’ll have our ice-maker going for cooling drinks & welcome air conditioning on at the Parlour.

Park Wood Crematorium is operating normally, and the chapel is very cool. 

31st May 2022

Jubilee Bank Holiday Opening Times

Our office is closed from Thursday 2nd June, for the Platinum Jubilee Weekend, and will re-open on Monday 6th June.

However, we will still be available on the phone should our services be required -   01422 253 593.

21st March 2022

Coronavirus Update

Death Registration Changes

From Friday 25th March 2022 all registrations will be carried out face to face. Only one informant is needed for a death registration. They are welcome to bring one other person with them for support, but only a maximum of 2 people will be admitted into the interview room. Anyone else will be asked to wait outside. 

From this date the copy certificates will be issued at the appointment, for a fee of £11 each. There is no free or original certificate. The registrar will also provide a reference number which can be used to access the Tell us Once service. 

Relatives should make an appointment before going to the Register Office. Appointments can be booked online via the Council website, or over the telephone on 01422 288080.

Park Road/Elland Road/A6025

4th February 2022

We are pleased to announce that the main road between Park Wood Crematorium and Brighouse is now open again, after almost two years of being closed.

This road is known as Park Road, Elland Road or the A6025, and it's reopening is great news for anyone travelling from Brighouse to Park Wood Crematorium.

Direct Cremation Advertising on Television

18th January 2022

There is a lot of Social Media & TV advertising at the moment, promoting ‘Direct Cremations’ or ‘Unattended Funerals’ at discounted prices, and for people who don’t want ‘a lot of fuss’ to mark their passing, when the time comes.

Please be assured that Amanda Dalby Funeral Services can also provide these services, but with our usual PERSONAL TOUCH - so that you still feel looked after & loved at the sad time of the loss of your loved one 

Call Amanda & Michael to meet up & discuss your options, for pure & simple funeral services on

01422 253593

We’re here for you, for whatever type of funeral you wish for - FACE TO FACE with genuine, personal help & support.

3rd November 2021

Coronavirus Update

The Autumn good news is that

Calderdale Council have removed the restrictions on the number of mourners at Park Wood Crematorium, Elland.

People are also permitted to stand in the chapel, as well as in the vestibule.

Face masks and the use of hand sanitiser as you enter and leave the chapel are requested, but not mandatory.

Most religious buildings are allowing large attendances, with the Halifax Minster permitting 450 mourners, for example.

After 18 months of disruption to funeral services, we are so pleased to be almost back to normal.

If you would like to speak with Amanda & Michael about your options please do not hesitate to contact us on

01422 253 593.

9th September 2021

Coronavirus Update

A little bit of good news for our families, as we turn the corner into Autumn.

Park Wood Crematorium have informed us today that they will be

allowing full capacity (up to 88 seated mourners) back in their Service Chapel, from Monday 13th September 2021 onwards.

Also, they are removing the ‘black taped barrier’ which has been in place throughout the pandemic, in front of the catafalque (the stand where we place your loved one’s coffin).

This means that mourners can now touch the coffin before leaving the chapel.

Singing & live music will also be allowed, once again.

Please note that everyone will still be asked to sanitise their hands, on their way into the building, and encouraged to wear face masks.

Unfortunately, any mourners above the 88 limit will still be asked to remain outside of the Chapel, and will not be allowed in the overflow or vestibule area.

14th July 2021

Coronavirus Update

From Monday 19th July 56 MOURNERS will now be allowed to attend a funeral in the Service Chapel at Park Wood Crematorium, Elland, in rows of 4 only.

No mourners are permitted in the vestibule area.

Calderdale Council are requesting that face masks & hand sanitiser continue to be used.

Also, family & friends will now be allowed to carry their loved one into the service.

The Waiting Room will re-open, but the coffee machine will remain out of use. Toilet facilities remain open.

This is subject to ongoing review by Calderdale Council.

Burials remain unrestricted for mourner attendance.

24th May 2021

Amanda is Elected to the National SAIF Executive Committee

We are proud to announce that Amanda has been elected to serve on the leadership team of a national trade body representing family-run funeral businesses.

Amanda joined the Executive Committee of the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) at its recent AGM, which took place online due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The group, which is led by the trade association’s President and Vice Presidents, oversees the business of the organisation, with responsibilities for amending its code of practice, upholding standards amongst members and promoting best practice in care for bereaved families.

In her role as Executive Committee member, Amanda will attend meetings throughout the year alongside other members from across the four corners of the UK and will serve on the group for 3 years.

Amanda is looking forward to making a difference for independent funeral businesses, which conduct around 70 per cent of funerals in the UK annually.

“I am passionate about promoting the independent funeral sector and about giving the best possible service to the bereaved, especially under the recent restrictive times” she said.

Terry Tennens, Chief Executive of SAIF, warmly welcomed Amanda to the Executive Committee.

“Independent funeral businesses across the UK face a range of challenges, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, forthcoming regulation of funeral businesses and prepaid funeral plans, and changing funeral trends. It’s imperative at this time of transition that the sector is led by some of its most talented members representing different regions of the UK and I’m delighted to welcome Amanda to our Executive Committee as I’m certain she will make a valuable contribution to the profession,” Mr Tennens said.

SAIF was established in 1989 to represent small and independently-run funeral businesses. Since founding it, SAIF now has more than 2,000 funeral homes in it’s membership, including an incredibly diverse section of the funeral profession, with independently-run funeral firms serving bereaved families in both urban and rural settings. Business sizes vary from sole traders arranging as few as 20 funerals a year to multi-chain operations serving diverse communities and delivering thousands of funerals per annum.

Additionally, many independent funeral directing firms are family concerns, some with generations of owners spanning decades and even centuries.

SAIF’s main areas of work centre around: raising standards through the SAIF Quality Assurance Programme and member Code of Practice; helping more funeral directors attain recognised qualifications from the Independent Funeral Directors’ College; and promoting wellbeing amongst funeral directors and their clients via initiatives such as SAIF Support and SAIF Care.

The Association supports the regulation of the funeral profession and online price transparency, and is committed to working with government and policymakers across the UK to promote high standards within the sector for the benefit of bereaved families.

We have been a proud SAIF member for over 14 years.

4th May 2021

Coronavirus Update

The Society of Allied & Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) have confirmed to us today that as of Monday 17th May 2021 the number of people allowed to attend a funeral service in England will be decided by each venue's

capacity to host mourners in a 2 metre socially distanced, Covid secure way.

We have contacted Park Wood Crematorium today, who have informed us that their service chapel capacity remains at 20 mourners, with a further 8 mourners allowed in the vestibule area.

Capacities at other venues will vary (places of worship, funeral homes & other crematoria), and some may allow for more than 30 mourners to attend. We will advise you, depending on your chosen venue.

The number of people permitted at a wake or commemorative event, such as a stone setting or ashes scattering will increase from 15 people to 30 people as of 17th May 2021.

Further guidance is expected from the government, on whether the social distancing rule will shift from 2 metres to 1 metre plus; SAIF understands that a review is underway and will update us as soon as information on any changes becomes available.