Traveller funerals
Local Experts in Organising Irish Travellers Funerals
H J Newington Funeral Directors proudly serve families in the Irish Traveller community. We cover East and West Sussex and the wider UK. Need help with Travellers funerals in Brighton and Hove? We are here for you. Wherever you are in Sussex or across the UK, we offer care, respect, and understanding. It is an honour to serve these families year after year.
Traveller funerals are rooted in tradition. We understand that deeply. These services reflect a community’s commitment to family and respect. They are a powerful way of honouring a loved one.
We arrange elaborate funerals that honour these important cultural values. Our experience runs deep. From grand processions to the finest details, we handle everything. Every service is a meaningful, personal tribute. We deliver it with the dignity and care your family deserves.
Traveler Traditions
A cherished tradition within the Traveller community is the Catholic reception, which takes place the evening before the funeral Mass.
This often involves a large, respectful procession that escorts the deceased from our funeral home to their family residence. The journey is carefully planned to pass by places of significance to the person who has died. This tradition is a way for the family and community to honour the deceased, marking the final journey with respect.
A Vigil for the Dying and Deceased
Travellers place great importance on surrounding their loved ones with care in their final moments. It is a tradition for family members and friends to visit those who are gravely ill, ensuring the person is never left alone. It is even customary for a dying person to spend their final moments outside, with hospital patients sometimes wheeled outdoors to fulfil this poignant tradition. Candles are lit near the bed of the dying to light their way to the afterlife.
When a Traveller passes away, a vigil is often held, with family members keeping watch over the body. Candles continue to burn as a guiding light to the afterlife and are kept illuminated until after the funeral.
Preparations for the Funeral Service
Traveller funerals are often grand affairs that bring communities together. These events frequently attract mourners from across the country. Funeral processions can include elaborately created floral tributes, often transported in dedicated flower-hearses, which may bring traffic to a standstill as a mark of respect for the deceased.
What makes Traveller funerals unique?
Traveller funerals are distinguished by deeply held traditions that emphasise community, family, and honouring the deceased. These services often involve large gatherings and specific customs, such as processions and viewings, that reflect the community’s close-knit bonds and respect for their loved ones.
Do you have experience with Traveller funeral traditions?
Yes. We have extensive experience arranging funerals that honour the specific cultural values and traditions of the Traveller community. We work closely with families to ensure every service is a meaningful and respectful tribute.
What is the reception into church?
The reception is a Catholic tradition often observed the evening before the funeral Mass. It typically involves a large, formal procession that escorts the deceased from our funeral home to their family’s home or another place of significance, before they are taken to the church for the overnight vigil.
Can the funeral procession pass by specific locations?
Absolutely. We understand the importance of this final journey. We can help you plan a procession route that passes by places that were meaningful to the person who has died, such as a former site, workplace, pub or other significant places.
Are large gatherings and viewings accommodated?
Yes, we understand that Traveller funerals often bring together a large number of family and friends to pay their respects. Our facilities are equipped to accommodate larger groups, and we can arrange for extended viewing times to allow everyone a chance to say their goodbyes.
What kind of floral tributes are common?
Elaborate and personalised floral tributes are a significant part of honouring the deceased. These often depict items of personal significance, such as a favourite vehicle, a symbol of a hobby, or words like “Dad” or “Grandma.” We can coordinate with our trusted florists to create beautiful, bespoke tributes for your family.
How do you support the family during this time?
Our role is to provide compassionate and practical support. We guide you through every step of the arrangement process, handling the logistics with care so that you can focus on honouring your loved one according to your family’s wishes and traditions.
The Funeral Service
The funeral service is a symbolic event in Traveller traditions, reflecting the belief in ensuring the deceased is well-prepared for their onward journey:
- The deceased is honoured by being dressed in their best clothing.
- Coffins are often larger in size to accommodate possessions deemed important for the afterlife, including personal items or sentimental belongings. It is traditional to include food in the coffin to sustain the deceased on their long spiritual journey.At some Traveller funerals, mourners throw coins into the burial plot as the coffin is lowered. This tradition reflects the belief that coins represent payment required for entry into heaven.
Romany Traditions and Customs
Compassionate Support from H J Newington Funeral Directors
At H J Newington Funeral Directors, we are committed to providing respectful and meaningful services tailored to the important customs of the Traveller community. Whether you are arranging Traveller funerals in Brighton, Hove, Portslade, or anywhere across Sussex, our experienced team is here to guide you every step of the way.
If you require compassionate support or more information, please do not hesitate to contact H J Newington Funeral Directors, your trusted Sussex funeral directors dedicated to honouring every life with dignity
More information...
The below pages will give you related information about other types of funeral and how we can help support you.