At Respect Funeral Services, we are deeply committed to providing compassionate, sustainable, and dignified funeral options that honour both loved ones and the environment. 

Over the years, our dedication to excellence in direct cremations, direct burials, and woodland green burials has been recognised through numerous prestigious awards. 

These accolades reflect our unwavering mission to offer meaningful, eco-friendly farewells in serene countryside settings. 

This post explores our journey, the awards we’ve received, and how they underscore our leadership in green and direct funeral services across the UK.

Our Commitment to Green and Direct Funerals

What We Offer

We offer a range of funeral services designed to meet diverse needs while prioritising sustainability and affordability:

• Direct Cremations: A straightforward, cost-effective option for those seeking simplicity without a formal ceremony, allowing families to commemorate their loved ones in their own way.
• Direct Burials: A dignified, no-fuss burial service that provides an affordable alternative to traditional funerals, ensuring a respectful farewell.
• Woodland Green Burials: A full-service burial with a ceremony set in beautiful, natural landscapes. These eco-friendly burials use biodegradable materials and native tree plantings to create living memorials that nurture the environment.

Our services are rooted in choice, compassion, and environmental responsibility. 

Whether it’s a pet burial in our dedicated Togetherness Meadow or a multi-denominational woodland burial, we provide personalised options that resonate with individual values. 

Our commitment to minimal environmental impact, through practices like hand-dug graves and wildflower seeding, sets us apart as pioneers in the funeral industry.

Why Funeral Awards Matter

Funeral awards are more than just accolades; they are a testament to our dedication to innovation, customer care, and environmental stewardship. 

Each recognition highlights our efforts to redefine funeral services, making them more accessible, sustainable, and meaningful. 

From national media features to industry-specific honours, these awards showcase our role in shaping the future of green and direct funerals in the UK.

A Legacy of Recognition: Our Funeral Award-Winning Journey

2014: Best Green Funeral Director

In 2014, we were thrilled to be named Best Green Funeral Director at an awards ceremony in Birmingham, hosted by, The Good Funeral Guide. This prestigious accolade, driven by nominations from the families we serve, recognised our leadership in providing eco-friendly funeral solutions. 

This funeral award highlighted our natural progression into full funeral directing, as families who pre-booked their resting places in our woodland parks requested comprehensive services.

This recognition underscored the trust families place in us to deliver sustainable burials that align with their values. 

Our woodland green burials, where graves are marked by native trees like Holly, Oak, or Cherry, were celebrated for creating living legacies that support local wildlife and biodiversity. 

This funeral award also acknowledged our innovative approach to pet burials, offering a unique Togetherness Section where loved ones can rest alongside their cherished companions.

2014: Lincolnshire Environmental Award – Highly Commended

Also in 2014, we received a Highly Commended Certificate for The Lincolnshire Environmental Award. 

The judges praised our environmental impact and sustainability efforts at our Green Burial Park in Laughton. 

They were particularly impressed by our tree-planting initiatives, which have seen over 1,500 memorial trees planted, including flowering cherries and apple blossoms that enhance local ecosystems. 

The return of native flora and fauna, such as butterflies and birds, to our parks was noted as a significant achievement.

This funeral award validated our commitment to minimal maintenance practices that encourage naturalisation. 

By under-planting with native wildflowers and avoiding chemical interventions, we create habitats that thrive in harmony with nature. 

The judges’ comment that it was a “very close call” for the top prize spurred us to continue pushing the boundaries of environmental responsibility in funeral services.

2014: Respect Carers Funeral Award

Our dedication to compassionate care was recognised in 2014 when Mick, our first male carer, received the Respect Carers Award, presented by Nancy Birtwhistle, winner of the Great British Bake Off 2014. 

This internal funeral award celebrated Mick’s exceptional service to families, embodying our ethos of treating every farewell with reverence and empathy.

The Respect Carers Award highlights our team’s role in providing personalised support, from guiding families through eco-friendly coffin options to ensuring graves are prepared with care. 

This accolade reinforced our belief that every interaction with a family is an opportunity to offer comfort and dignity during a difficult time.

2012: Respect Carers Funeral Award

In 2012, Ruth Jauncey of Ulceby, covering the Barton area, was honoured with the Respect Carers Funeral Award for her outstanding dedication to public service. 

Featured in the Scunthorpe Telegraph, (Grimsby Telegraph), this award recognised Ruth’s role in supporting families with compassion and professionalism. 

Her work exemplified our commitment to providing a seamless, caring experience, whether for human or pet burials.

This early recognition set the tone for our ongoing efforts to build a team that prioritises empathy and expertise. 

It also highlighted our presence in local communities, where we strive to make green and direct funerals accessible and meaningful.

Best Alternative Hearse | Funeral Award

We are proud to have been awarded the Best Alternative Hearse for our bespoke 1948 Bentley Mk 6 Special, converted into an award-winning hearse. This was also featured in the Worksop Guardian.

This unique vehicle offers families a stylish and distinctive option for a loved one’s final journey, complete with the possibility of a matching personalised coffin adorned with photographs.

This funeral award celebrated our ability to blend tradition with innovation, providing families with choices that reflect their loved one’s personality. 

The Bentley hearse has become a symbol of our commitment to offering memorable, dignified farewells that stand out from conventional funeral practices.

Certificate of Recommendation from the Natural Death Centre

We were deeply honoured to receive a Certificate of Recommendation from the Natural Death Centre, a leading UK charity in its 25th year at the time. 

This accolade recognised our role as originators of affordable direct funerals since 2010, as well as our leadership in woodland green burials. 

The certificate highlighted our comprehensive services, from eco-friendly urns to pet burial options, all designed to minimise environmental impact.

This recognition from a respected authority in natural funerals reinforced our position as a trusted provider of sustainable farewells. 

It also celebrated our efforts to make green burials inclusive, with multi-denominational spaces and dedicated pet sections.

2016: Good Funeral Awards Nomination

In 2016, we were nominated for an award at the Good Funeral Awards, a significant milestone that showcased our growing influence in the funeral industry. 

This nomination recognised our holistic approach to funeral planning, combining affordability, sustainability, and personalisation. 

It also highlighted our media presence, as we were featured on ITV’s Tonight programme, “A Costly Undertaking,” which explored rising funeral costs and showcased our cost-effective solutions.

The nomination was a proud moment, reflecting our ability to balance environmental responsibility with exceptional customer care. 

It also underscored our role in educating the public about green and direct funeral options, helping families make informed choices.

Additional Funeral Awards Showcasing Excellence

In addition to our celebrated accolades, we are proud of further recognition that highlights our commitment to green and direct funerals. 

In 2014, we were nominated for Green Funeral Director 2014, affirming our leadership in sustainable funeral practices. 

That same year, our Respect Carers Awards (Feb/March 2014) recognised the exceptional teamwork with FreshStart, honouring two North Lincolnshire Homes carers for their compassionate service. 

In 2012, we won the North Notts 2012 Business Awards, organised by North Nottinghamshire Business Connections, celebrating our innovative green burial services. 

We also received heartfelt nominations for the 2011 Gainsborough Business Awards, reflecting community support. 

Finally, our WildLife Trust’s Green Guardian Award 2011 for Conservation recognised our woodland green burial parks for protecting the environment through innovative practices, reinforcing our dedication to eco-friendly farewells.

Media Features: ITV, BBC, and More

Our innovative approach has earned us national media attention, further amplifying our awards and recognition:

• ITV Tonight Programme (2016): We were interviewed at our Bawtry Green Burial Park for the programme “A Costly Undertaking,” which aired on 3rd November 2016. The feature explored how we keep funeral costs down through direct cremations and burials, making dignified farewells accessible to all.
• BBC’s “Dead Good Job – Episode 3”: Our green burial services were spotlighted in this series, showcasing our woodland parks as serene, eco-friendly alternatives to traditional cemeteries.
• More to Death Magazine (2015): We were featured for our nationwide burial services, highlighting our leadership in green funeral practices.

These media features have not only celebrated our awards but also helped us reach a wider audience, raising awareness about the benefits of green and direct funerals.

The Impact of Our Funeral Awards on Families and Communities

Empowering Choice and Sustainability

Our funeral awards reflect our mission to empower families with choices that align with their values. 

Whether it’s a direct cremation for simplicity, a direct burial for affordability, or a woodland green burial for environmental consciousness, we offer options that cater to diverse needs. 

Our recognition as Best Green Funeral Director and our Lincolnshire Environmental Award highlight our role in promoting sustainable practices, such as:

• Using biodegradable coffins, shrouds, or blankets.
• Planting native trees and wildflowers to support biodiversity.
• Minimising environmental impact through hand-dug graves and natural memorials like bird boxes or hedgehog hides.

These practices ensure that every farewell contributes to the preservation of nature, creating a lasting legacy for future generations.

Building Trust and Comfort

The Respect Carers Funeral Awards and client testimonials demonstrate our commitment to compassionate care. 

Families consistently praise our team, particularly Gordon and Alison, for their empathy and professionalism. 

For example, a client from Burton on Stather shared, “We have found the perfect place – everything he loved in close proximity. I can sit on his bench and chat to him in peace and quiet.” 

Such feedback, combined with our awards, reinforces the trust families place in us during their most challenging moments.

Community Engagement and Education

Our funeral awards have also inspired us to engage with communities through events like the National Tree Week Candlelight Vigil and Summer Solstice Picnics. 

These initiatives, recognised in local media like The Star Newspaper, bring families together to celebrate loved ones in our woodland parks. 

By fostering a sense of community and educating the public about green funerals, we continue to honour the values that earned us our accolades.

Why Choose Respect Funeral Services?

A Legacy of Excellence

Our awards are a testament to our leadership in green and direct funerals. 

From the Best Green Funeral Director title to the Certificate of Recommendation from the Natural Death Centre, each accolade reflects our commitment to excellence. 

We are proud to be at the forefront of the funeral industry, offering services that are both environmentally responsible and deeply personal.

Personalised, Eco-Friendly Farewells

We offer woodland green burials that transform final resting places into living memorials, surrounded by native trees and wildlife. 

Our direct cremations and burials provide affordable, dignified options for those seeking simplicity. 

Every service is tailored to honour the unique life of your loved one, whether through a bespoke hearse or a natural memorial.

A Trusted Partner in Grief

With a team led by compassionate professionals like Gordon and Alison, we ensure every family receives the support they need. 

Our funeral awards, combined with glowing testimonials, demonstrate our ability to provide comfort and peace of mind during difficult times.

Looking Ahead: Continuing Our Funeral Award-Winning Legacy

As we reflect on our awards, we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of green and direct funeral services. Our future goals include:

• Expanding our woodland burial sites to offer more families access to eco-friendly farewells.
• Enhancing our pet burial services to meet growing demand for sustainable pet memorials.
• Continuing to innovate with biodegradable products and sustainable practices.
• Engaging with communities through educational events and media features to raise awareness about green funerals.

Our funeral awards inspire us to maintain the highest standards of care, sustainability, and innovation. 

We are grateful to the families, industry bodies, and media outlets that have recognised our efforts and look forward to continuing our mission to honour lives and the planet.

Contact Us to Plan a Meaningful Farewell

At Respect Funeral Services, we offer direct cremations, direct burials, and woodland green burials that celebrate life while respecting the environment. 

Our award-winning services are designed to provide dignity, affordability, and sustainability. 

Join us in creating a farewell that’s as meaningful as the life it celebrates – a legacy that grows wild and free in nature’s embrace.

Get Started With Respect Green Burials

Ready to explore your options? Contact Respect Funeral Services at 01427 612992 or contact us directly at respectgb.co.uk/contact to learn how we can help you plan a dignified, eco-friendly farewell.

Q&A’s For Respects Funeral Award Winning Services

Q1. What makes Respect Funeral Services’ woodland green burials unique compared to traditional burials?

Our woodland green burials stand out due to their eco-friendly and personalised approach, recognised by awards like the 2014 Best Green Funeral Director. Unlike traditional burials, we offer full-service ceremonies in serene countryside settings, using biodegradable coffins or shrouds and marking graves with native trees like Oak or Holly. This creates a living memorial that supports biodiversity, as highlighted by our 2014 Lincolnshire Environmental Award. We also provide multi-denominational spaces and a dedicated Togetherness Meadow for pet burials, ensuring inclusivity and sustainability. Our hand-dug graves and wildflower planting minimise environmental impact, offering a meaningful, natural farewell.

Q2. How do Respect’s direct cremations and direct burials provide affordable funeral options?

We offer direct cremations and direct burials as cost-effective alternatives to traditional funerals, a commitment recognised by our 2016 Good Funeral Awards nomination and ITV’s “A Costly Undertaking” feature. Direct cremations involve a simple, unattended cremation, allowing families to commemorate loved ones flexibly without ceremony costs. Direct burials provide a dignified, no-fuss burial at our woodland parks, maintaining affordability without compromising respect. These services, pioneered by us since 2010 as noted by the Natural Death Centre’s Certificate of Recommendation, ensure families can honour their loved ones economically while aligning with their values.

Q3. How does Respect Funeral Services ensure compassionate care during the funeral process?

Compassion is at the heart of what we offer, as evidenced by our 2012 and 2014 Respect Carers Funeral Awards for team members Ruth and Mick. Our dedicated staff, including Gordon and Alison, provide personalised support, guiding families through every step with empathy. Whether arranging a woodland green burial or a direct cremation, we listen to families’ needs, offering options like bespoke coffins or our award-winning 1948 Bentley hearse. Client testimonials, such as those praising the peaceful benches at our parks, reflect our commitment to creating comforting, dignified experiences during difficult times.

Q4. What environmental benefits do Respect’s green burial services provide?

Our green burial services, celebrated by the 2014 Lincolnshire Environmental Award, deliver significant environmental benefits. We plant over 1,500 native trees, such as flowering cherries, to create habitats for wildlife like butterflies and birds. Our minimal-maintenance practices, including hand-dug graves and wildflower seeding, encourage naturalisation without chemicals. As recognised by the Natural Death Centre, our use of biodegradable materials and sustainable memorials, like bird boxes, reduces ecological impact. These efforts ensure that every woodland burial contributes to biodiversity and preserves the countryside for future generations.

Q5. How can families personalise a funeral with Respect Funeral Services?

We offer extensive personalisation options to honour each individual’s life, a strength highlighted by our Best Alternative Hearse award for our 1948 Bentley Mk 6. Families can choose eco-friendly urns, biodegradable coffins with personalised photo designs, or natural memorials like tree plantings. Our woodland green burials allow for bespoke ceremonies in multi-denominational settings, while our Togetherness Meadow enables pet and human burials together. As featured in BBC’s “Dead Good Job,” these tailored options ensure every farewell reflects the unique personality and values of the loved one, creating a lasting legacy.

Book A Visitation At One Of Our Burial Parks

North Nottinghamshire & South Yorkshire Burial Park

Lincolnshire & North Lincolnshire Burial Park

Contact Respect Directly

After Care

If you need extra help, there are excellent resources available:

• NHS: The NHS offers advice on coping with bereavement, including mental health support. Visit their page on Dealing with Grief and Loss for practical tips and helpline details.

• Respect: the Respect Guide, What To Do When Someone Dies covers benefits like the Bereavement Support Payment.

• Cruse Bereavement Support: A UK charity dedicated to grief, Cruse provides free counselling and resources. Learn more at cruse.org.uk.

• Bereavement Advice: Documents needed for arranging a funeral

• GOV: See if you qualify for a Funeral Expense Payment from the government.