Independent funeral directors supporting Desford families
Funeral Directors in Desford
You do not need to know what to do next. Call Samantha and we will take care of everything.
Bay Tree Funerals supports families throughout Desford, Botcheston, Newbold Verdon, Kirby Muxloe and the surrounding west Leicestershire communities from our funeral home and private Chapel of Rest in Blaby. Samantha will listen, explain the immediate next step and personally guide your family through the arrangements.
Available 24 hours a day • Personal guidance without pressurePersonal care followed by clear costs
First, let Samantha understand the person and what your family needs. Then every cost will be explained clearly.
Bay Tree’s attended funeral-director charges are published at £2,150. You will receive a written estimate separating Bay Tree’s work from crematorium, cemetery, church, minister, celebrant and other third-party charges.
Samantha Ward, Lady Funeral Director at Bay Tree Funerals
A familiar person beside you
Hello, I’m Samantha.
You can call me before you understand the paperwork, know whether the funeral will be a burial or cremation, or have spoken to St Martin & James’s, St Martin’s Church, a local cemetery or crematorium. Tell me what has happened in your own words and I will explain the immediate next step.
I can coordinate bringing your loved one into our care, the church or crematorium, cemetery paperwork, minister or celebrant, hearse, music, service details and the personal wishes that matter to your family.
My job is to make a difficult time feel calmer, protect your family from having to chase different organisations and ensure your loved one is treated with dignity throughout.
- Immediate guidance following a death
- One familiar point of contact throughout
- Church, cemetery, crematorium and officiant liaison
- Clear written costs before confirmation
- Personal involvement through to the funeral day
Our location, explained honestly: Bay Tree serves Desford from our funeral home and private Chapel of Rest at 7A Welford Road, Blaby. We do not claim a Desford branch. Your loved one remains in our own care there, with Samantha and the same small family team.
Care without being passed between departments
One small family team taking responsibility for the details.
Once your loved one comes into Bay Tree’s care, they remain at our funeral home and private Chapel of Rest in Blaby. Samantha stays connected to the family’s wishes, chapel visits and funeral arrangements.
This matters when clothing, prayer, a private family visit, a meaningful route or a particular service detail is important. You can discuss it directly with the person leading the arrangements.
A clear funeral-price comparison for Desford families
How Bay Tree compares with two large corporate funeral operators nearby
The figures below compare published headline attended funeral-director charges checked on 26 July 2026. Price is not the only consideration, but families deserve clear information before choosing who will care for their loved one. No local independent funeral director is named or criticised.
Bay Tree Funerals
Attended funeral-director charges
£2,150 Bay Tree’s published attended funeral-director charge £445 below Ginns & Gutteridge Leicester and £545 below Central Co-op- Professional arrangements and administration
- Collection within the stated conditions
- Care at Bay Tree before the funeral
- A suitable classic coffin
- A black motor hearse
- Personal guidance led by Samantha
Bay Tree funeral-director charges only. Crematorium, cemetery, church, minister, celebrant and other third-party charges are separate.
Ginns & Gutteridge Leicester
The Attended Funeral
£2,595 Published Leicester headline charge including its Basic Coffin- Large corporate funeral operator in Leicester city centre
- Published attended-funeral headline used for comparison
- Third-party costs remain separate
- Optional choices may alter the final total
- Ask where your loved one will be cared for
- Compare the complete written estimate
Price checked against the company’s published Leicester funeral-home information on 26 July 2026.
Central Co-op Glenfield
Attended funeral professional charge
£2,695 Official Central Co-op standardised attended-funeral charge- Glenfield funeral home at 12b Tournament Road
- Legal and administrative arrangements: £628
- Collection and transport into care: £285
- Care before the funeral: £597
- Wood-effect veneer coffin and viewing: £340
- Hearse or appropriate vehicle: £845
Central Co-op’s official standardised price list totals £2,695. Crematorium, cemetery, minister, celebrant and other third-party charges remain separate.
What these differences mean: the comparison covers headline funeral-director charges only. It does not guarantee that the final funeral invoice will be £445 or £545 lower. Packages are not assumed to be identical. Collection conditions, care arrangements, coffins, vehicles, optional services and third-party charges can differ. Always request and compare complete written estimates.
Funeral choices explained clearly
Funeral services for Desford families
You do not need to decide on burial, cremation, church or a non-religious ceremony before calling. Samantha will listen first, explain the choices and help your family arrange a farewell that feels right.
Attended Funeral
Funeral-director charges £2,150A personal ceremony where family and friends can gather, with Samantha coordinating the coffin, hearse, officiant, music, photographs, tributes and practical details.
See the full price breakdown
Burial & Church Funerals
We can coordinate a funeral at St Martin’s, Desford Free Church or another chosen place of worship, followed by burial at Desford Cemetery where appropriate.
Explore burial services
Unattended Cremation
£1,495A simple and respectful cremation without a formal attended ceremony at the crematorium, with freedom to hold a separate memorial or family gathering.
Read the full detailsHas someone died in Desford?
Whether the death occurred at home, in hospital, in a care home, at LOROS or unexpectedly, call Samantha. You do not need to work out the process before speaking to us.
Genuinely useful Desford guidance
St Martin’s Church, Desford Cemetery and nearby crematorium choices
Desford has its own parish church, Free Church, Parish Council cemetery and several possible family-gathering venues. Gilroes is often the most practical crematorium, with Great Glen and South Leicestershire Crematorium also available. Bay Tree can coordinate the complete arrangements while your loved one remains in our care at our funeral home and private Chapel of Rest in Blaby.
St Martin’s Church
St Martin’s is Desford’s Church of England parish church on Main Street. Bay Tree can liaise with the church and coordinate the funeral director’s responsibilities, subject to the church’s pastoral arrangements and availability.
Church of England funeral guidanceAccessibility and facilities
Desford Parish Council publishes that St Martin’s has disabled access, a hearing loop, toilets, a digital projector and screen, and a small kitchen. Any particular access or service requirements should still be confirmed directly.
St Martin’s churchyard
The church has a historic churchyard, but families should not assume that a new grave or ashes space is available. Current rights, eligibility, permissions and availability must be confirmed directly with the church before arrangements are fixed.
St Martin’s Church Centre
The Church Centre on Main Street has disabled access, reception space, kitchen, changing room and toilets. Its main hall seats 80, while the smaller meeting room seats approximately four to six people.
A gathering after the funeral
The Church Centre may be considered for refreshments or a family gathering, subject to direct confirmation of availability, suitability, catering, alcohol conditions, deposits and current hire terms.
Desford Free Church
Desford Free Church is on Chapel Lane and has served the village since the nineteenth century. Families connected with the fellowship can make a direct enquiry about a funeral or memorial service, with Bay Tree coordinating the practical arrangements where agreed.
Faith and cultural funeral guidanceDesford Cemetery
Desford Parish Council is responsible for the cemetery on Hunts Lane. The Council publishes cemetery regulations, fees, an interment form and a memorial application.
Burial and ashes arrangements
Bay Tree can coordinate a new-grave enquiry, reopening an eligible family grave, burial paperwork, an ashes interment or memorial permission, subject to the Parish Council’s current rules, burial rights, fees and availability.
Burial and ashes guidanceMemorial applications
The Parish Council publishes a dedicated memorial application. Families should not order or install a headstone, tablet or other memorial until the current approval process has been completed.
Desford Village Hall
Desford Village Hall on Lindridge Lane accommodates up to 100 people and provides an access ramp, fully equipped kitchen, ample toilets including an accessible toilet, a hearing loop and limited on-road parking.
Botcheston Village Hall
Botcheston Village Hall seats approximately 70 and publishes a refurbished kitchen, fully equipped bar, central heating and a spacious car park. A funeral gathering requires direct confirmation of availability and current hire conditions.
Gilroes Crematorium
Gilroes on Groby Road is often the most practical crematorium for Desford families. Each non-denominational chapel seats 100, with additional seating in side viewing rooms.
Gilroes Crematorium guideMusic, photographs and webcasting
Gilroes provides an induction loop, external speakers, webcasting, recordings and HD screens for photographs and video tributes. Samantha can coordinate these choices with the crematorium.
Gilroes Cemetery
New graves are available at Gilroes Cemetery, subject to Leicester City Council rules, fees and availability. The cemetery is alongside the crematorium, which can simplify arrangements for some families.
Leicester burial guidanceGreat Glen Crematorium
Great Glen offers a chapel seating up to 108 people, standing room, external speakers, webcasting, photo tributes, 110 parking spaces plus overflow and a dedicated Pooja Hall for Hindu and Sikh families.
Great Glen Crematorium guideSouth Leicestershire Crematorium
The crematorium at Countesthorpe is another option. Its chapel seats 100, can accommodate around 200 using the foyer and provides webcasting, screens, accessible facilities and substantial parking.
South Leicestershire Crematorium guideNatural burial choices
Families interested in a woodland or natural burial may also wish to consider Tithe Green near Markfield or another suitable natural burial ground, subject to current options, fees and availability.
Tithe Green guidanceHinckley Registration Office
A death occurring within Leicestershire can be registered by appointment at Hinckley Registration Office in the Atkins Building. The office is wheelchair and pushchair accessible, with pay-and-display parking opposite and additional parking on Druid Street.
Registration guidanceMedical examiner and coroner process
Before registration, the death is reviewed by a medical examiner or investigated by a coroner. The registrar will arrange the appointment once the required documentation has been received.
Bay Tree’s funeral home & chapel
Bay Tree is at 7A Welford Road, Blaby, Leicester, LE8 4FT. Desford families can meet Samantha privately, and their loved one remains in our own care there.
Get directions to Bay TreeNearby communities
We also support families in Botcheston, Newbold Verdon, Kirby Muxloe, Ratby, Leicester Forest East, Groby and the surrounding west Leicestershire communities.
A lower charge still has to come with excellent care
Read what families say about Samantha and Bay Tree
Prices explain only part of the decision. The reviews below help families understand Samantha’s patience, communication, attention to detail and personal involvement.
Helpful guidance for Desford families
Speak to Samantha, compare prices and understand the local choices
You are always welcome to call rather than trying to read everything first.
Clear answers before choosing
Desford funeral directors FAQs
These answers cover the main questions families ask before calling. More detailed local information is provided in the guide above, so it is not repeated here.
Do Bay Tree Funerals support families in Desford?
Yes. Bay Tree supports families throughout Desford, Botcheston, Newbold Verdon, Kirby Muxloe and west Leicestershire from its funeral home and private Chapel of Rest in Blaby.
What should I do first when someone dies?
Call Samantha on 0116 278 8868. The correct first step depends on where and how the death occurred. You do not need to understand the paperwork or make funeral decisions before calling.
Will I deal directly with Samantha?
Samantha leads the arrangements and remains the family’s familiar contact, supported by Bay Tree’s small family team.
Does Bay Tree have a funeral home in Desford?
No. Bay Tree openly serves Desford from its funeral home and private Chapel of Rest at 7A Welford Road in Blaby. We do not claim a Desford branch.
Where will my loved one be cared for?
Once your loved one comes into Bay Tree’s care, they remain at our funeral home and private Chapel of Rest in Blaby.
Can you arrange a funeral at St Martin’s Church?
Yes. Bay Tree can coordinate the funeral director’s responsibilities for a Church of England funeral there, subject to the church’s pastoral arrangements and availability.
Can you arrange a burial at Desford Cemetery?
Yes. Bay Tree can coordinate burial, reopening an eligible family grave, ashes interment and memorial arrangements, subject to Desford Parish Council’s current rules, burial rights, fees, permissions and availability.
Does a memorial need Parish Council approval?
Yes. Desford Parish Council publishes a memorial application, so families should not order or install a memorial until the current approval process has been completed.
Which crematorium is most practical for Desford?
Gilroes Crematorium is often the most practical choice. Great Glen and South Leicestershire Crematorium can also be considered depending on availability, travel and family preference.
How much are Bay Tree’s attended funeral-director charges?
Bay Tree’s published attended funeral-director charges are £2,150. Crematorium, cemetery, church, minister, celebrant and other third-party costs are separate.
How do Bay Tree’s charges compare with the larger operators shown?
At figures checked on 26 July 2026, Bay Tree’s £2,150 headline charge was £445 below Ginns & Gutteridge Leicester’s £2,595 figure and £545 below Central Co-op’s official £2,695 standardised attended-funeral charge. Exact inclusions and third-party costs can differ.
Do you offer unattended cremation?
Yes. Bay Tree’s published unattended cremation price is £1,495. Samantha will explain the collection, care and suitability conditions before anything is agreed.
Nearby South Leicestershire communities
Funeral support around Desford
For Desford families
You do not have to organise everything before calling.
Tell Samantha what has happened. Bay Tree will explain the immediate next step, care for your loved one and coordinate the funeral arrangements one manageable decision at a time.
0116 278 8868