John J Smith Funeral & Memorial Service

We had reason to use this excellent company again. The service is exactly what you need, with a very strong personal touch and most professional. On the day everything went so smoothly thanks to all the staff but especially Hayley, who is just something else. She seems to know exactly what you feel and is so kind and sympathetic.
Thank you for another superb service.

We had the sad passing of my gentle& loving dad Ray Alford a few weeks ago & we weren't sure what steps to take or anything really. Everything was a blur, we contacted Hayley & her family to take my dad & look after him. They looked after us all, my mum,my sister,myself & all the family. They did so much for us they are truly angels. We could not have got through the last few weeks without them. My dad's service was beautiful there are no words. Thankyou so much for everything. Love Yas & family xxx

John you should be ashamed of yourself for the way you behaved in regards to my fiancee Paris parsons funeral arrangements. Who do you think you are treating me and Paris family the way you did. You didn't even had the decency to apologise for your appalling behaviour. Even when the lady who came with you was trying to apologise on your behalf you told her to stop and told her to leave with you. and then you had the nerve to say as u slammed the door behind you that u will take you buissness else where. You should be ashamed of yourself. To anyone reading this. If you want to send your loved ones off with love and respect then avoid this company.

Hayley, John, Paula and rest of the team are just lovely. They take care of you and everything you need. Nothing is too much trouble and at such a difficult time, you will welcome their professionalism, care and attention to detail. Just perfect.

The kindest, most considerate, compassionate and caring company of funeral directors you could ever wish for in your hour of need. My family and I cannot speak highly enough of this wonderful company. They looked after us with superb professionalism from start to finish. As much as I hope that I will not be needing their services again any time soon, I have no hesitation in highly recommending them. Simply outstanding.

I would not recommend this undertaker to anyone.

I have been too upset to leave a review until now but feel I need to respond to the comments made by John Smith in reply to my son, Andy’s and son-in-law, Jay’s review.

I really can’t believe what happened when John Smith came to my house after my precious daughter, Paris Parsons, suddenly died, aged just 29.

John was most unprofessional, making inappropriate comments and jokes and being dismissive of our feelings.

John sat down with my son and chatted loudly about how my son should ‘play the field’. My son was trying to listen to John’s assistant while she was trying to organise Paris’ funeral. John spoke so loudly that I could not follow what she was saying so she had to ask him to join us in listening to what we were trying to arrange.

My husband started to well up with tears when he spoke about Paris and the arrangements when John rudely pointed at him and said ‘We’ll have non of that!’ So my poor husband had to stop what he was saying.

John then proceeded to tell us all how my son misbehaved when he was younger and what trouble he caused. I stated that I disagreed and that my son, Andy, was lovely. John replied ‘Well, you would say that, you are his mum’. I started to cry, feeling very upset to which John pointed at me and said ‘Chin up, girl, chin up’.

At this point my son had to help me leave the room.

My upset was nothing to do with how soon it was after my daughter’s death. I was upset at his rude and disrespectful behaviour. John seemed to think it was all a joke. I told him in no uncertain terms of how his behaviour was disrespectful. He then stated loudly to everyone ‘well, I’ll take my business elsewhere’ and slammed my front door behind him.

I am a local GP and I did work with this undertaker some twenty years ago. I had a good working relationship with John’s daughters Hayley and Paula. John has said, in his reply to my sons review, that we spent family occasions together-this is false, I have only known of him in a professional capacity. We have not known John for over 35 years as he stated, this is again incorrect. It was not too soon to arrange a funeral as John also suggested in his reply, as the day after this meeting with John, we met with another local undertaker and successfully made our arrangements for our precious Paris’ funeral.

We have had not further contact with John J Smith; no apology for the upset he caused and no follow up call to check we were ok. For him to try and justify his behaviour by saying it was ‘too soon’ is an insult to us.

We also feel insulted that John stated in his reply to my son that my son had caused him hurt by leaving an honest review on Google. I would suggest that an apology would be helpful, John, and also to not assume that my sons ‘take on the situation’ is not actually what everyone felt about your disrespectful behaviour that day.

I could carry on but instead invite one of John’s daughters to call me and perhaps we can discuss what went wrong so no other grieving family has to suffer the way we did after John visited us. You will understand John, that under the circumstances, where you do not take any responsibility for your actions that day, that I would prefer to speak to one of your daughters instead.

When my husband Joe passed away on the 25th November, I had no idea what I needed to do. The help, support, love and care I received from Hayley, Paula, John and the rest of the team was amazing. They are such a professional, but caring family company and without their help I would have struggled with Joe's funeral so much. From the start to the finish Hayley was amazing, constantly updating, supporting and helping me in anyway she could. On the day of the funeral the care they showed for myself and my beloved husband was so so lovely, what an amazing gift you have. Thankyou from the bottom of my heart for making this sad time just a little bit easier for me and my family. Xx

Without doubt the most professional and organised outfit in Colchester.
Full of empathy and always willing to listen these outstanding human beings set the bar very high for others in their profession.
John Sr provided comfort to my mum on the night dad passed, his candour and appropriate humour was well placed for our family, he knew how to read the room and was a real gentleman with my dad.
As my brothers and I carried my dad, John held my mums hand and walked behind, we are so grateful for this.
Hayley and Louise were incredibly professional and genuinely caring. Louise conducted my dad's funeral to my mums wishes and with a respectful and confident style.
We are so happy my dad chose these great people to look after him.