Reviews

Kelly's support and professionalism in organising the funeral.for my brother was exceptional.
She discussed and put in place every single detail so that the family did not need to worry and had a stress free day.

Thank you.so.much for your care and help Kelly

We cannot thank Kelly enough for the care, compassion, and professionalism she showed while helping us arrange my sister’s funeral. From the very beginning, she guided us through every step with such kindness and understanding, making an incredibly difficult time feel a little more manageable.

Kelly went above and beyond to ensure everything was handled with dignity and respect. Nothing ever felt like too much trouble, and she was always available to answer questions or offer reassurance when we needed it most. Her attention to detail and genuine empathy truly made a difference to our family.

Thanks to Kelly, the service was beautiful and exactly what my sister deserved. We are so grateful for her support and would highly recommend her to anyone needing someone they can trust during such a sensitive time.

Kelly and her team were fantastic from the minute we asked them to look after mum to the funeral we couldn’t have asked for more help and compassion
You treated her with dignity and respect and that brought us great comfort
We Thankyou for helping us and supporting us and giving mum the send of she truly deserved
Your service will always be remembered with gratitude

Kelly was absolutely amazing in assisting me with arranging my mums funeral.
Her attention to detail was second to none, and no request was declined.
At an extremely difficult time for me Kelly was a calm presence determined to give my mum the send off that she deserved.
I can't thank Kelly and her team enough for the care that they all showed my mum and my family. Absolutely amazing. X

Kelly was an amazing support emotionally and practically on arranging the funeral for my husband. Her attention to detail and getting things right was excellent. Her respect for John in the chapel of rest was outstanding as was her care for us as a family.
We had a motorcycle hearse which they organised with us. Toni, on the day was fantastic also and they organised a perfect route for johns last journey on this earth. Thank you all. Lesley

Claire at Ashdowns in Blacken is an absolute diamond. She has helped me with both my parents funerals, with the most recent being last week. The service from Claire from start to finish was amazing, Claire is so friendly and helpful & always on the end of the phone if need her. The funeral director & his staff are all wonderful, helpful & professional. I couldn’t have wished for a more perfect send off for both my parents.

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