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.
