The Mayor of Newport attends
National Bereavement Awareness Open Day
Saturday 8th November 2008
On Saturday members of the public and bereavement professionals took the opportunity to attend an open day at Tovey Bros funeral home as part of SAIF National Bereavement Day.
Humphrey and James Tovey together with colleagues were also pleased to welcome The Right Worshipful The Mayor of Newport, Councillor Noel F Trigg, who toured the premises and chatted with fellow attendees. Questions were asked about various types of funerals and about Golden Charter Funeral Plans.
James Leedam from Native Woodland - Natural Burial Sites displayed an interesting slide show on both traditional and alternative funerals.
Advice was also given by Mike Coombes from Hold out a Hand Bereavement Support, Caroline Herbert of E J Herbert & Son Monumental Sculptors and Catherine Corless of Lovingly Managed Bereavement Coordinators.
James Tovey explained that it was ‘an excellent way to discuss funeral options and answer questions at a time when not facing a bereavement’.
National Bereavement Awareness Open Day
Saturday 8th November 2008
On Saturday 8th November 2008, independent funeral directors across the UK will be throwing open their doors to the public for SAIF’s (Society of Allied Independent Funeral Directors) National Bereavement Awareness Open Day. As Gwent’s largest independent funeral directors, Tovey Bros is delighted to be taking part and is looking forward to welcoming everyone – from bereavement professionals to members of the public – to our premises to find out more about funerals, our role and a range of other services associated with funeral planning and the grieving process.
‘Usually, people never set foot over the threshold of a funeral director’s until they absolutely have to,‘ commented James Tovey.‘If people can visit, at a time when they’re not in imminent need of our services, to look around and learn more about what we do and what else is on offer from other professionals associated with bereavement, SAIF’s belief, and I’m in complete agreement with this, is that people won’t feel so overwhelmed and out of their depth when it comes to coping with an actual bereavement.
‘So if you feel that knowing more about funerals and funeral planning would be of benefit to you then why not join us? 
You’ll have the opportunity to put your questions to Tovey Bros staff, have a tour round our funeral home including our reception rooms and chapel,view a range of coffins and observe our on-site carpenter crafting a traditional solid wood coffin, find out more about monumental masonry services
,meet representatives from a variety of support organisations and other companies involved in providing services at the time of a bereavement and finally, access information about the increasingly popular natural burial option and other types of alternative funerals.
- Venue: Tovey Bros, 9-11 Cardiff Road, Newport NP20 2EH
- For guidance on how to reach us visit maps & directions
- Doors open at 10.00am and close at 2.00pm.
- Free tea and coffee
- Ample car parking at the funeral home
We look forward to welcoming you to Tovey Bros.
SPONSORED WALK - 19th July 2008
The family and friends of the late Margaret Tovey 
recently completed an arduous 19 mile stretch of the Cornish Coastal Path to commemorate what would have been her 70th birthday.
The sponsored walk from Cape Cornwall to Mousehole passed such famous landmarks as Land's End and the Minack Theatre, with 15 participants ranging in age from 14 to 74.
The walk was in aid of the Archbishop of Wales' Fund for Children, helping disadvantaged 
children and their families throughout Wales, a charity which was actively supported by Margaret. The family would like to thank family, friends and local businesses for their generosity, as well as local organisations such as the Newport committee of AWFC, The Rotary Club of Caerleon, The Inner Wheel Club of Newport, Magor Churchmen's Society and Holy Trinity Women's Group.
Everyone's generosity has meant that the total raised recently passed £10,000, with donations still arriving.
The Cornish people were extremely receptive to the walkers and money was donated by several
passers by. When they arrived at Lamorna Cove, in the heat of the afternoon, the local cafe
generously gave all participants a free ice cream. The Ship Inn at Mousehole kindly discounted the cost of the post walk meal.
James Tovey, son of Margaret, said 'It was a tough day with constant walking from 6.30 am to 4 pm but the camaraderie carried us all through to the finish. There were a few funny incidents 
including my cousin Will managing to lock his walking boots inside the room where he was staying, with no way of re entering at 5.30 a m. He had to complete the first half of the walk in a pair of trainers which were a size too small! We are extremely grateful to those who participated in the walk and to everyone for their kind sponsorship. We are overwhelmed by the total raised, which is a fitting tribute.'
Good Funerals Open Day - 7 June 2008
A friendly welcome and summer sunshine greeted curious visitors to the Good Funerals Open Day on Saturday 7th June at Usk Castle Chase natural burial ground. The site, normally a place for contemplative solitude, was busy with people visiting marquee stands that offered a wide range of funereal items including an amazing range of traditional, wicker, alternative and modern coffins, hand crafted stone memorials, doves for memorial release, the vintage lorry hearse - also Golden Charter Funeral Plans. They took the opportunity to browse and talk directly in an informal environment to staff from several hospices, Gwent Crematorium, Summerleaze Pet Crematorium, local bereavement support organisations and to local clergy.
The Open Day, organised by Newport-based Tovey Bros funeral directors and natural burial ground specialists, Native Woodland, gave visitors the chance to find out about the cost of different styles of funeral, types of ceremonies, including religious and non-religious services, and transport they may choose. Pasture Farm's four gleaming black stallions caparisoned with black head-plumes pulling an Edwardian glass hearse was a dramatic eye-catching sight for people in the town who enjoyed the spectacle of a procession of traditional and alternative funeral vehicles through the Monmouthshire town.
Key to the success of the day was the great diversity of exhibitors, and the good-heartedness and warm ambience of all involved. Peter Rock of Arka Ecopods, a beautifully organically shaped pod-style casket made from recycled paper, remarked that he enjoyed meeting many people on the day saying; "This event has been the best of its kind that I have attended. There has been such a relaxed and friendly atmosphere."
One visitor from Risca, was so enthused about the burial ground that she immediately enquired about reserving a plot. She said of the event; "A brilliant day, everyone was enjoying themselves, it was really marvellous". Most visitors commented that the Open Day was positively enlightening, allowing them to discuss the sombre subject of funerals an uplifting way.