The Coles Hub is Officially Open in Rhiwbina , Cardiff

17 May 2019

A special thanks to our award-winning neighbours, Organicafe, for the delicious cake and to all the local councillors who stopped by to support this new venture (before heading to present Dame Shirley Bassey with her Freedom Honour!) We took the opportunity to ask everyone who joined us how they could see themselves, and their families, friends and […]

Are you ready? We are. Because Dying Matters.

30 April 2019

Over the last few weeks we’ve been talking about the ‘D-word’ and how to bring it up in conversation. Today I wanted to signpost some more useful resources and invite you to talk to us about what happens when you die. Even if your family or friends aren’t quite ready to talk about death – […]

The life-and-death talk we all need to have

24 April 2019

Following on from my last blog on the best way to start talking about death with your loved ones (which in short, is to think about and share your own ‘good death’ story), today I’ve put together some questions that might help nurture the conversation. Before we begin, it’s really important that if you’re going […]

How to bring up the dirty ‘D-Word’ in conversation

18 April 2019

If you read Gareth’s blog last week, you’ll have probably sensed his frustration that people (even those close to our family of funeral directors!) find it so difficult to discuss end of life, death care, and funeral preferences with their loved ones. We find it difficult – because it is difficult. But it’s not impossible. […]

Why do we find it so difficult to talk about death… and money?

9 April 2019

Have you seen the TV ad about our nation’s inability to talk about the ‘M-word’? Partnering with Relate, Lloyds Bank is currently leading the way in de-stigmatising conversations about money, and encouraging everyone to find the words to push through the awkwardness and have ‘difficult’ conversations with loved ones. The ‘D-word’ (dying) is just as […]

A solution to the most common issues faced by grieving families

29 January 2019

Written by Director, Gareth Coles: My blogs so far this month have been about the financial reasons for taking out a funeral plan – and the key reason most people haven’t done so yet: “they just haven’t got round to it!” But today, I’d like to share some insights that demonstrate why getting organised and […]

Looking for an unusual Valentine’s Gift?

24 January 2019

Written by Director of Communications, Francesca Coles: Tomorrow, 25thJanuary, is St Dwynwen’s Day and in just a couple of weeks it will be St Valentine’s Day. For widows and widowers, or those grieving their partner in life, these days can be a painful reminder of your loss – which is why each year around this […]

Have you resolved to get organised this January?

15 January 2019

Written by Director, Gareth Coles: Last week, my blog shared some key findings from the annual Cost of Dying report* published in 2018. It explained why more than half of people who have ever organised a funeral have thought about their own funeral… and why many of those people haven’t got round to doing anything […]

A New Year’s Gift for You

7 January 2019

Written by Director, Gareth Coles: As we look to the year ahead and make resolutions to take stock, get fit and try to save money after the big festive blow out – my blog today is about making sensible decisions about your future… and getting a little something back in the process.If you’re a regular […]

A generous gift for your family

18 December 2018

Written by Director of Communications, Francesca Coles: This year, perhaps more than most, I’ve been struck by the number of advertisements and campaigns that are advocating the giving of love, kindness, and compassion this Christmas time…In times of economic uncertainty like our current Brexit situation, the trend is to focus on ‘experience giving’ and spending […]

Caring for Cardiff’s community – in life and in death

26 October 2018

Written by Director, Gareth Coles: Earlier this week we were at Cardiff City Stadium meeting with Care & Nursing professionals from all over Cardiff and the surrounding areas who gathered together for their annual ‘Care Roadshow’. The seminars this year focussed on the significant changes in the sector including funding, recruitment and government policy.Margaret Rooney […]

Break the silence: Miscarriage, stillbirth and infant death

19 October 2018

Written by Head of Communications, Francesca Coles: On Monday at 7pm, we joined the Global Wave of Light that marked the end of Baby Loss Awareness Week. Our candle glowed  as we remembered all the angel babies who never got to go home, or spent all too brief a time with their loving families.The outpouring of […]