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Call to revive funeral tradition during coronavirus lockdown

Call to revive funeral tradition during coronavirus lockdown

William Purves has been leading a campaign to revive a tradition of bowing for pausing passing hearses. This mark of respect supports a bereaved family who, because of CV-19 restrictions, may not be able attend the funeral. The campaign launched on Facebook last month...
How planning your funeral helps your tax position

How planning your funeral helps your tax position

There are two certainties in life: death and taxes. It’s a familiar phrase we hear often – not unsurprisingly. But with a funeral prepayment plan, you can actually use one to influence the other, – entirely for your benefit. Planning ahead can be done at any time but...

The human cost of direct cremation

Let’s talk about ‘no frills’ cremation With the cost of dying continuing to rise year on year, it’s no wonder that people are now weighing up all the available options for a funeral service, including cremation and direct cremation which are the lowest cost options...

More financial help to pay for 2020 funerals

We applaud the additional support made available for families to pay for funerals from the Scottish Government as of 1 April 2020. Low income families can now claim £1000 towards the expenses related to a funeral. This increase of £300 represents the first rise in a...

New Paid Bereavement Leave for Working Parents

We welcome the news that from April 2020, working parents who lose a child under the age of 18 will be eligible to two weeks paid bereavement leave. The new legal right is called “Jack’s Law” in memory of Jack Herd, whose mother campaigned for employed...
The Big Interview – Scotland on Sunday

The Big Interview – Scotland on Sunday

In this exclusive interview with the Scotland on Sunday, Tim Purves, fifth generation of the Edinburgh based family run firm explains why in 2019, the company continues to grow and deliver a key service for local families. “Not the cheapest but certainly not one...
Why it makes financial sense to plan your funeral now

Why it makes financial sense to plan your funeral now

In today’s Herald, Chairman Tim Purves talks about the benefits of funeral planning today. Around 15% of Scots admitted they would struggle to pay for their funeral. Reports from insurance providers as well as the Scottish Government affirm that few of us have made...

William Purves Haddington rebrands from Wood & Hay

Some 20 years after we bought Haddington based Wood & Hay, we are finally bringing the company under the William Purves family umbrella. William Purves bought Wood & Hay in 2000, from previous owner, George Wood who specifically wanted to pass on the business...