Business Details
17 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Funeral Services in St Albans
Established in 2009, Trustmattersfunerals has been providing compassionate and professional funeral arrangements in St Albans and surrounding areas. Our family-run business, led by Graham Hearnden and Jackie Hearnden, prioritises personal service during times of emotional distress. With qualifications from The British Institute of Funeral Directors and the National Association of Funeral Directors, we guide families through legal procedures, offer tailored funeral planning, and provide a Chapel of Rest for private visits.Our services include direct cremation, repatriation, probate assistance, and pre-paid funeral plans in partnership with Golden Charter. We ensure transparency in pricing, 24-hour availability, and local care, maintaining long-standing relationships with churches, crematoria, and community organisations. Our commitment to dignity, cultural sensitivity, and financial clarity has made us a trusted choice for families seeking respectful farewells.
Services
Direct Cremation
Pre-Paid Funeral Plans
Chapel of Rest
Repatriation Services
Probate Assistance
Details
- Year established: 2009
Highlights and features
- We have over 10 years of experience serving St Albans and surrounding areas.
- Our family-run team provides personalised, compassionate funeral arrangements.
- 24-hour availability ensures immediate support during emergencies.
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees or upselling.
- Accredited partnership with Golden Charter for secure pre-paid funeral plans.
Associations and certifications
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
- Golden Charter Limited
Services
Direct Cremation
A respectful, uncomplicated cremation service without a ceremony, ideal for simplicity and affordability. We ensure local care, transparent pricing, and optional extras like ashes retrieval. Families receive one-to-one support throughout the process.
Pre-Paid Funeral Plans
Secure your funeral wishes in advance with fixed pricing, covering director fees and third-party allowances. Plans include cremation/burial fees and officiant costs, with flexible payment options and FCA-regulated protection.
Chapel of Rest
A peaceful space for families to spend time with their loved one before the funeral. Accessible by appointment, this service supports personal goodbyes in a dignified environment.
Repatriation Services
We manage the legal and logistical complexities of returning a loved one abroad. Services include documentation, transportation coordination, and liaison with international authorities to ensure respectful repatriation.
Probate Assistance
Practical support navigating probate processes without legal fees. We assist with documentation, estate administration, and financial organisation to alleviate stress during bereavement.
People
Graham Hearnden
Founder
Qualified member of The British Institute of Funeral Directors with a National Association of Funeral Directors Diploma. Established Trust Matters in 2009 to provide compassionate, community-focused funeral services in St Albans.
Jackie Hearnden
Director
Co-founder and driving force behind daily operations. Recognised in the Herts Advertiser's Women in Business series for her leadership in funeral services. Prioritises personalised care and innovation in bereavement support.
Questions
What services does Trust Matters Family Funeral Services offer?
We provide direct cremation, pre-paid funeral plans, repatriation, probate assistance, and traditional funerals with Chapel of Rest access.
Can I arrange a funeral in advance?
Yes, our Golden Charter pre-paid plans let you specify wishes and fix director fees, protecting against future cost increases.
Are your prices transparent?
We guarantee no hidden fees. All costs for director services are fixed, with clear breakdowns for third-party expenses.
Do you offer 24/7 support?
Yes, our team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for immediate assistance during emergencies.
How do repatriation services work?
We handle all legal documentation, transportation logistics, and international coordination to return loved ones abroad with dignity.
Reviews (5)
Fay Clark
Dec 17, 2021
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At such a hard time, we as a family have never felt so supported and directed as it was difficult to know where to start. Everything was taken into consideration and talked though so all expectations were realistic and could be met. The whole process was made so much more bearable with Jackie And the company. We are so glad that we made our Nan proud going with trust matters x
Jean Bassant
Dec 15, 2021
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This is not an easy review to write as its surrounded by such sadness but I think its probably one of the more important reviews I will write in terms of how it will affect others choices. After all its not a day you want to get wrong in any way as you cant do it over. I am very grateful to Jackie at Trust Matters for the professional, kind and wonderful service that she provided for us when my husband died. Everything was handled really carefully and gently and exactly as we requested. She explained everything really well and lessened the stress of the occasion considerably by being calm and
Melissa Knight
Oct 31, 2021
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Losing our mum was devastating and having to arrange her funeral was the hardest thing wed ever had to comprehend doing whilst feeling so much grief, however Im so thankful that we used Trust Matters. From making the first call from the hospital to the Funeral Service, Jackie and the team were so genuinely caring and respectful. They listened, made thoughtful recommendations and waited patiently as we cried. Having Jackie herself walk in front of mum as the cars drove away/arrive at the crematorium, looking so smart, made a huge impact and helped me feel we were giving mum a truly respectful
Abbie Samuel
Oct 04, 2021
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This company is second to none! Made me and my family feel at ease during such a difficult time, she took her time and explained the whole process, was always happy to answer any questions we had and my Dad's funeral went very smoothly which I was worrying about. Even with obstacles on our side Jackie, Graham and Matt always helped us find a way to make things work. Some of my family members were a bit sceptical about me using Trust Matters as it's not a company they'd heard of before or known to be used by other family members or friends but I'm glad I put my trust in them and my family members
Jonathan Ds
Sep 26, 2021
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Jackie and the team were very kind and helpful throughout the entire difficult process. Always very responsive on phone and email. A lot of the stress was taken away by Jackie and she accommodated what we wanted. Thank you very much for all you did at such a sad time for us.
