Mark Reed from Brentwood Theatre popped in to Phoenix Fm on Saturday 12th May to talk about a very exciting competition being run by Bennetts Funeral Directors, in conjunction with the Gazette and various local businesses including Bows, Comfort and Joy, French Quarter, Hair Company, Inula Beauty, Lance James Jewellers, Mesh, Racquet, etc.  They’re on the search for two ladies – one in each of Billericay and Brentwood – who deserve to be treated like royalty as Queen for a Day.  Mark explained that the lucky winner of each title might have fought back against the odds to achieve the unachievable; given up a lot to help someone else over a long period of time; or perhaps she’ll be someone who works tirelessly to help others within the community. Whoever is crowned will enjoy a day she’ll never forget, being picked up in a Rolls Royce for a day that will include tea and prize giving at a swanky hotel Marygreen Manor in Brentwood; a shopping spree; hair styling and beauty pampering; and a special VIP visit to a mystery local attraction – all rounded off with a state dinner for two. If you know a lady living in Billericay or Brentwood who deserves all this, send a letter, with their name and contact details, plus up to 300 words explaining why they are deserving of the prize, to Jane Bennett, Bennetts Funeral Directors, 120 High Street, Brentwood, CM14 4AS. The closing date is 21 May; only one nomination is allowed per household, and the judges’ decision is final. Winners have to be available between 10am and 10pm on 31 May for the Billericay prize and 1 June for the Brentwood prize, and they must be happy to take part in all aspects of the competition. The winners may be accompanied by an escort.  We all know someone who deserves a day like this!

You can listen to the full inteview here:

 http://www.phoenixfm.com/2012/05/12/who%e2%80%99ll-be-queen-for-a-day/

NOTHING is so certain as death and taxes apparently and with government levies continuing to soar, have you any idea how much it is going to cost when you eventually pop your clogs?

Just last week the Church of England revealed the basic cost of religious funeral services is set to rise by 57 per cent by January next year and last week Brentwood Borough Council voted for across-the-board increases to its cemetery fees.

Before the undertaker sends out their bill there are plenty of other things to consider before the big send off.

Firstly, of course, you need to decide whether you want to be put six feet under or cremated.

But do you fancy posies or roses, do you want to go out in an oak veneer coffin or a trendy eco-friendly willow number, and what about fancy extras such as flying doves?

So many questions, but thankfully these days we have more time to choreograph our dream departure because many funeral directors even offer a pre-pay service.

Bennetts Funeral Directors, which has been trading in Brentwood for the past 121 years, has gone one further by launching an online wish list, so you can stipulate the particulars of your parting ceremony to the nth degree and sleep at night knowing you’ve done so.

Bennetts’ owner Jane Bennett, who has been in the game for 24 years, says it’s fairer for all concerned to set out your choices early doors.

She added: “It gives people the opportunity to plan when they are fit and healthy so they just think about it without any pressure.

“I think it’s important to plan early because we’ve had people in here who have lost parents unexpectedly and they have no idea, for example, what music their mum would have wanted.

“It becomes a very difficult time for them because they have the pressure of knowing this is the last thing they are ever going to do for them.”

But booking your departure well in advance is not just good form for the relatives, it also means you could secure the service you want at today’s prices.

In the past seven years, the average cost of passing away, including church and undertaker’s fees, has risen by a whopping 57 per cent to £2,720, largely due to increases in cemetery, crematorium and doctors’ fees.

And the rise is expected to continue with funeral inflation currently at 6.85 per cent and a five-year cost forecast of £4,275 for an average ceremony.

Increasing prices are not the only trend within the funerals’ market, according to Jane.

“In the last ten years there has been a definite move away from church services,” she said.

“I think a lot of families feel hypocritical asking a minister when they do not have a connection with church.”

She says around a quarter of funerals now take place away from a church. A few years ago that was largely unheard of.

Other fashions include a swing towards willow coffins – particularly for women – , and pre-paying for your send off.

Jane has also noticed a change in attitude towards hearses on the road.

She said: “People are less courteous on the road towards the cortege. People used to always slow down and doff their caps in the street but now we have people cutting us up and overtaking the cortege at roundabouts, it’s so disrespectful.

“And it’s not just young people, it seems it’s just everyone is in so much of a hurry.”

Usually overlooked is the nitty gritty of what goes on behind the scenes at a funeral firm, which of course involves the mortuary where the body is prepared for laying in the chapel of rest for loved ones to say their final goodbye.

And as Jane explains, funerals can even get to the professionals at times.

“It’s very pressured because we have to get everything right first time, you do not get a second chance,” she said.

“Attention to detail is paramount. I like to think that we are human and that everyone here has immense compassion for people and I really would not want people here if they were not like that.

“Also some of the lads on a funeral of a very young person can get upset by it.

“I do not mind to the point that they can control their emotions but the fact they are affected shows they are human.”

Brentwood Gazette Article:

http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/Brentwood-funeral-director-urges-families-plan/story-15255530-detail/story.html

 PAST champions of Brentwood in Bloom – the competition that was created 13 years ago to make the town a better place to live and work – may face their toughest challenge yet, a hosepipe ban.

But as the 2012 competition officially opened last week, so did the heavens and new strategy group chairman Jane Bennett is praying that more rain will allow the standard of entries set in previous years to be maintained.

She said: “We are aware that the hosepipe ban affects some parts of Brentwood, so people will have to be working hard to preserve water.

“It’s going to be interesting to see what impact that has.”

Prizes will be awarded in July for the best entries across a variety of classes.

Entry forms can be picked up from the town hall, florists, garden centres, libraries, The Viper pub in Fryerning, Franklins Jewellers in Shenfield and Bennetts Funeral Directors.

For sponsorship opportunities call Jane on 01277 265167  

Brentwood Gazette Story 25th April 2012:

http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/Hosepipe-ban-adds-extra-challenge-contest/story-15921317-detail/story.html

Queen For The Day Brentwood

With the Diamond Jubilee just around the corner, we are on a right royal hunt for the two most deserving ladies we can find to crown “Queen for a Day”.

The Gazette has teamed up with Bennetts Funeral Directors and other local businesses to appoint a pair of worthy lady monarchs, one for Brentwood and the other for Billericay.

Do you know someone who has fought back against the odds to achieve the unbelievable? Or maybe a person who has given up so much to help someone else over a long period of time?

Well just for a day, the two deserving winners will be spoiled rotten.

What else, but a Rolls-Royce to pick up our graceful girls, who will then be whisked off to a swanky hotel in their respective home towns for tea, pastries and a prize-giving.

One of our 24-hour majesties will then be chauffeured to Crown Street, in Brentwood, to spend a batch of shopping vouchers while our Billericay queen will do just the same at a collection of High Street boutiques.

Then it’s down to business for our regal winners who will attend their first official engagement.

Our Queens will each be taken on a special VIP visit to a local attraction but obviously the palace can’t possibly let us reveal the details this far in advance for security reasons.

And that evening the lucky ladies will attend a state dinner-for-two at the Mary Green Manor, in Brentwood or the Magic Mushroom, in Billericay.

But before that she will be taken by her driver back to Crown Street or Billericay High Street for a royal hair-styling and beauty pampering session.

Jane Bennett, the managing director of Bennetts Funeral Directors said: “We are looking for deserving people who have helped somebody else or the community for a long time. Or it could be somebody who has been a carer, or a person who has fought adversity and overcome the odds.

“What we really want to do is reward someone who is selfless, caring, puts others before themselves and deserves to be spoilt for the day.”

IF YOU have the perfect person in mind for either the Brentwood or Billericay “Queen for a Day” prize, send a letter, with the name of the person and their contact details, plus up to 300 words explaining why they are deserving of the prize, to Jane Bennett, Bennetts Funeral Directors, 120 High Street, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 4AS.

Closing date is May 21st, 2012. Only one nomination per household, judges decision is final. Winners have to be available between 10am-10pm on May 31 for Billericay prize and June 1 for Brentwood prize and be happy to take part in all aspects of competition including. Winner may be accompanied by an escort.

Full Story with pictures click the link below:

http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/chance-treated-like-royalty/story-15920942-detail/story.html

Join us at Bennetts Funeral Directors 

and celebrate the

Queens Diamond JubileeDecorate a Crown Competition!

To enter our competition all you have to do is visit our website http://www.bennettsfunerals.co.uk/ and click on the competition link.  Print off the Crown template which can be mounted for extra stability,  decorate by colouring in, painting, sticking and gluing, don’t forget the Queens likes a bit of sparkle!

All crowns will be displayed in our office windows at Brentwood and Billericay.

Our team of judges will review all the entries and the prize winners, runners up will be chosen on 30th May 2012.

All entries must reach us by the  23rd May 2012.

Amongst the prizes will be:

Art/Craft Sets, Vouchers, Jubilee Treats

All you need to do is:

1. Decorate the crown with anything you wish!

2. Fill in contact details below, attach to your crown so we can contact you if you win.

3. Return the whole form and Crown to either Brentwood or Billericay office for us to display.  Remember to attach your contact form to your crown or put your name, age and contact details on the reverse of the Crown!

The competition is open to 3 age groups:

A) Primary School Age 4-7 Years

B) Junior School Age 8-11 Years

C) Over 12’s yes that includes adults!

Office addresses:

Bennetts Funeral Directors, Fern House, 120 High Street, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 4AS Telephone: 01277 210104

Bennetts Funeral Directors, 2 High Street, Billericay, CM12 9BQ

Telephone: 01277 624289

Name of Entrant……………………………………………………………………………………..

Category A), B) or C?……………….

Address……………………………………………………………………..……………………

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Contact telephone Number…………………………………………………………………………..

How did you hear about our competition? …………………………………………………………………….

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