Reviews

Ashdown Funeral Services Review January 2026

My Father passed away in November 2010. My Mother also wished to use Ashdown Funeral Services, when the time came.
Unfortunately, Mum passed in November 2025.

Now, we heard that Edward and Rachel Micallef, who were running Ashdown’s, and who undertook the arrangements for my Father’s Funeral were now retired.

Was this going to be a problem?

My Sister and I made an appointment to meet Kelly Smith at the Belvedere branch of Ashdown’s to discuss my late Mother Joyce’s wishes for her Funeral which was arranged for Tuesday 16th December2025.

We needn’t have worried, right from the start, Kelly was perfectly understanding, and immensely courteous to us both given what had just happened. We both sat down in comfortable armchairs and were offered tea/coffee and were told that the three of us would not be disturbed as this was our ‘booked time’.

Kelly talked us through all the arrangements, as my Mother wanted to attend Christ Church first, and then Eltham Crematorium. Kelly clearly outlined what we would need to provide.

Pictures for the Church Service and the Cremation. Up to five pictures for the ‘Order of Service’ which Ashdown’s would collate and print. Also helping us arrange a meeting with the Vicar, Trevor Wyatt, to obtain his input on the Hymns, Organ music, and Order of Service layout.

In the next few days, Kelly was superb with her organisation, arrangement of her Staff, and printing of the Order of Service. We decided ‘on the day’ for us to follow the Hearse in one Limousine.

The day could not have been more ‘absolutely beautiful’. Ashdown’s staff on the day were so professional at ALL times in their conduct; walking before the Hearse, carrying Mum’s coffin in the Church and finally into the Crematorium.

The day was perfect in every way, Mum would have been so proud.

What I did like so very much was the break with the ‘stoicism’ that the staff showed as they drove us in the Hearse to the Wake. This brought us gently ‘back down to earth’ to face our family and friends.

During the Wake we received so many comments about how well the day went, which for all of us was so important. The care and consideration shown throughout the day was exemplary.

Finally, when the day comes, you will not find a better way to say goodbye to a family member, than by using Ashdown Funeral Services in Belvedere and entrusting in very professional services of Kelly Smith.

Thank you all so very much.

Chris G

The most warming service at such a difficult time for our family. Claire and family and the whole team looked after us with such care from start to finish. Everything was smooth from the organising to running the funeral day and nothing felt like a big ask or inconvenient. The communication was perfect and our family is so grateful to have gone here to arrange our loved ones funeral. Thank you!!

From the moment we walked into Ashdowns to discuss arranging my mum's funeral I knew we were in the right place. Claire was amazing, she listened to us and from the first discussion we were on the same page on what we wanted for my mum. She was so compassionate and had so much empathy and nothing was too much trouble, she was always at the end of the phone when we needed help or advice.
Claire also helped me find a celebrant who was absolutely perfect.
We would highly recommend Claire and the team at Ashdowns Blackfen as they provided a personal service unlike other companies we had spoken to.

I cannot begin to say how impressed and how amazing Kelly at Ashdown in belvedere was when my dad Derek passed away..Friendly,professional,
understanding, reassuring & fantastic advice and always there when you needed advice or guidance during these upsetting times..She put a smile on my face and my dad's partner who Kelly in my opinion went above and beyond her duty in comforting my dad's partner and organising things .I can't thank Kelly and Ashdown for everything they did,words can't describe how pleased the whole family was with my dad's funeral and what Kelly did for us all..

We can’t thank Ashdown Funeral Services enough, especially Kelly, for all their kindness and support during such a difficult time. Kelly was incredibly understanding and patient, explaining everything clearly and guiding us step by step through the arrangements.

Everything was handled with such care and compassion, and the service was beautiful. We’re so grateful for the warmth and professionalism shown — it truly made a hard time a little easier. Thank you, Kelly, and the whole team.

Kelly was such a comfort throughout the whole process, making a difficult time so much less stressful. Toni and her team on the day of the funeral were amazing, helping everything run seamlessly - I can't thank Ashdowns enough for the help, support and hard work.

My family and I would like to express a huge thank you to everyone at the team at Ashdown’s Belvedere.

A few months ago (July 2025), my family and I used Ashdown’s services to bury my mother (rest in peace). From the moment we met Kelly and spoke to her several times on the phone she was a guiding light through a difficult period.

She was down to earth, honest, worked with integrity and was personable throughout. Our family had never organised a funeral before, but Kelly and her team were key in demystifying the whole process.

We would also like to shout-out Bill, who acted as the funeral director on the day of the funeral. He and all the pallbearers were phenomenal. I would also like to thank Lewis who drove me and my family to and from the funeral location on the day.

Honestly, everyone at Ashdown’s were personable and unstuffy which is just what my family and I needed. You could tell that this wasn’t just “another job” for them, they truly cared about our and our loved one’s experience with them.

Thank you to everyone at Ashdown’s Belvedere!

Would just like to thank and highly recommend everyone at Ashdown Funeral Services at Sidcup. Especially Claire for being so supportive and caring, and for going above and beyond with making my dad’s funeral so special for our family.
Every request my mum had for my dad’s day was met from the horses and carriage, to the bag pipe player, to Claire’s recommendation of celebrant David Matthews, who performed a wonderful service for us. Even all the pallbearers and drivers that day all played their part in giving my dad the send off he deserved.
Being Such a difficult day for our family but just made that bit easier with everything you all did for us, thank you.