About
Family Funeral Service – The Personal, Caring Approach
We are a family business dedicated to upholding the traditional values of respect and dignity and to provide the very best of care for bereaved families.
A bereavement can often be a distressing and bewildering experience and our first duty is to offer professional and sympathetic guidance and to deal with all necessary formalities and arrangements which may be required. This essential service complements the aid provided by doctors, the clergy and other professional advisors.
Our further aim is to provide a complete funeral service and to ensure that funerals are conducted with dignity, care and compassion.
Our Funeral Directors and First Response Team are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to offer expert advice and practical
support.
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SubscribeHunnaball Family Funeral Group Honoured to Create Memorial for Colchester Cemetery’s First Burial
Hunnaball Family Funeral Group Honoured to Create Memorial for Colchester Cemetery’s First Burial
A special ceremony took place this week at Colchester Cemetery to unveil a new memorial marking the final resting place of the very first person ever buried there, bringing together local dignitaries, descendants and members of the community to honour an important piece of the city’s history.
Thomas Bolton, a respected Colchester bootmaker, became the first person to be laid to rest in Colchester Cemetery on 2nd May 1856, aged 72. For almost 170 years, the grave he shared with his wife, Elizabeth, who was buried there in 1868, remained unmarked.
The unveiling ceremony welcomed descendants of Thomas and Elizabeth Bolton, alongside the Mayor of Colchester, Sir Bob Russell and invited guests, all gathering to witness the dedication of a memorial that finally recognises the couple’s place in Colchester’s history.
The project was made possible through the efforts of Russell from Colchester Crematorium, who worked alongside Sir Bob Russell and Sharon Mooney to seek support for providing a permanent memorial. Hunnaball Family Funeral Group was honoured to be invited to create and install the headstone, ensuring the story of Thomas and Elizabeth Bolton will be remembered for generations to come.
Thomas Bolton (1783–1856) was baptised at St Mary-at-the-Walls Church and married Elizabeth Bennell there in 1816. A bootmaker by trade, he lived and worked in Crouch Street before retiring to the Winsley Square Almshouses on Old Heath Road. Elizabeth passed away aged 81 and was buried alongside her husband on 28th August 1868.
To reflect the significance and heritage of the cemetery, Hunnaball’s Memorial Team carefully selected a traditional half-round headstone with a curved front base, crafted from Nabresina, a durable Italian limestone renowned for its timeless appearance and suitability for memorials of the Victorian period.
The completed memorial now provides a fitting tribute to the couple while marking a significant chapter in Colchester’s rich history.
Everyone at Hunnaball Family Funeral Group is immensely proud to have played a part in such a meaningful project.
Our Chairman, Trevor Hunnaball said, “Our Memorial Team approached this with the utmost care and respect, recognising the historical importance of Thomas and Elizabeth Bolton’s story. It has been a privilege to create a lasting memorial that honours not only the first burial in Colchester Cemetery, but also a family whose descendants were able to share in this very special occasion.”
Hunnaball Family Funeral Group would like to thank everyone involved in bringing the project to life, particularly Russell from Colchester Crematorium, Sir Bob Russell and Sharon Mooney for their dedication to ensuring Thomas and Elizabeth Bolton’s contribution to Colchester’s history is permanently recognised.
Most of all, the Group would like to congratulate its Memorial Team for their exceptional craftsmanship in creating a beautiful and enduring tribute that will stand for many years to come.
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Hunnaball Family Funeral Group Nominated for Good Funeral Guide Award 2026
Hunnaball Family Funeral Group Nominated for Good Funeral Guide Award 2026
We are delighted and incredibly honoured to announce that Hunnaball Family Funeral Group has been nominated for Funeral Director of the Year in the Good Funeral Guide Awards 2026.
This nomination means so much to every member of our team. It reflects the compassion, care and dedication shown every day by our colleagues, who work tirelessly to support families through some of life’s most difficult moments.
Being nominated by members of the community is a privilege in itself, and we would like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has already taken the time to put our name forward.
How you can support us
The Good Funeral Guide Awards have a unique nomination process. Once a funeral director has been nominated, they can receive additional nominations from different people, helping to strengthen their submission for the independent judging panel.
If you have experienced the care and support provided by Hunnaball Family Funeral Group, we would be incredibly grateful if you would consider submitting a nomination.
When completing the nomination form, it is essential that you include a supporting statement. Unfortunately, nominations submitted without a completed statement cannot be counted.
Your statement is what the independent judges will read when considering each finalist, so the more detail you can provide, the more valuable your nomination becomes. You may wish to describe:
- How a member of our team went above and beyond to support you or your family.
- The compassion, kindness or professionalism you experienced.
- The difference our care made during a difficult time.
- What makes Hunnaball Family Funeral Group stand out from other funeral directors.
Whether your experience was recent or many years ago, every thoughtful nomination helps tell the story of the people behind Hunnaball Family Funeral Group and the care they provide.
Please support our nomination, you can complete the official form here: https://www.
Please note any nominations received after midnight on 1st August 2026 will not be accepted.
Thank you once again to everyone who has supported us over the years. This nomination belongs to our entire team and to the families who continue to place their trust in us. It is a privilege to care for our local communities, and we are truly grateful for your kindness and support.
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A Promise of Care
A Day in the Life of an Embalmer
Behind the scenes of our 13 branches, there is a quiet, dedicated space where we uphold our most sacred promise: to care for your loved ones as if they were our own family.
My role as an Embalmer is centered on a foundation of devotion, dignity, and peace. Whether I am looking after a loved one across our four main mortuaries or providing guidance to a grieving family, my priority never wavers.
Honesty and Expertise
Every person is unique, and so is the care they require. I am often asked for my professional opinion on embalming, and I believe in absolute honesty. If I feel it isn’t necessary or beneficial, I will say so. Embalming is where a mixture of formaldehyde, water, and other chemicals is pumped into the arterial system (usually via the carotid or femoral artery). This fluid replaces the blood, which drains away simultaneously. This chemical mixture travels through the blood vessels to preserve and firm the tissues, helping to restore a natural colour and appearance.
We only move forward with written permission and only once every legal document is in place, ensuring your wishes are honored with the highest integrity.
The Gentleness of Personal Care
Personal care is more than a task; it is a ritual of respect. From the gentle “setting of features” to ensuring hair is styled and nails are manicured, every detail matters. We provide shaves for our gentlemen and cosmetic care for our ladies if requested to ensure they look restful and at peace.
A Watchful Eye
Care doesn’t end after the preparation/embalming process. Our team monitors temperatures three times daily, and we complete daily checks on everyone in our care. If even the smallest detail needs attention, I am notified immediately so I can attend to it personally. One final check is made on the morning of the funeral where identity checks are made, personal items are checked and further care given if needed.
Our Little Ones: A Personal Commitment
Perhaps the most tender part of my day is spent in our “Nursery.” This area is incredibly close to my heart; having experienced baby loss myself, I am deeply passionate about the care these little ones receive. I know the weight of this heartbreak, and I treat every baby and child with the soul-deep level of love they deserve. They rest in Moses baskets in a dedicated, peaceful area. While I care for them, I play soft lullabies, read them stories, and ensure they are given a cuddle before being tucked back into bed. We follow the parents’ wishes implicitly.
Our Commitment
From the moment someone is taken into our care, their dignity is the foundation of everything we do. I double and triple-check every detail because i know I’m not just looking after a “client”— I am looking after your loved one.
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