Leverton & Sons Ltd (Muswell Hill)

If it’s a traditional funeral you want, they’ll do it very well and very smartly in the classic Victorian style. Though prestigious, Leverton’s are not as showy and flamboyant as some London funeral directors. If you would like something less formal, they will willingly adjust to what you want.

Leverton’s is keen to tread lightly on the earth, and as testament to this commitment it was the owner of the country’s very first electric hearse. Clive Leverton invested a huge amount of time and money to work with Brahms Electric Vehicles designing and developing the Eco-Hearse, and many of Leverton’s families choose to use it and it’s accompanying passenger eco-car rather than have a traditional gas guzzling cortege. A new, larger Nissan hearse joined the fleet in 2022.

Leverton’s is forward-looking in all sorts of other interesting ways, too. For example, it is the only funeral director’s offering highly specialised makeup for people who have died — only if you want it, of course. A former director of the company, Richard Putt, is a trustee of the Natural Death Centre, which campaigns for greener funerals, and he has left his imprint on Leverton’s approach to funerals in general.

Leverton’s is not innovative for the sake of it. They want to offer the widest range of choice they can allied to the highest-quality personal service. You are in charge: they’ll do what you ask, and they’ll do it to the best of their ability.

Everyone here is down-to-earth — nice, normal, broadminded. Funeral directors can tend to be somewhat, well, pompous, but not here. There is a very agreeable modesty about all of them — it’s something of a hallmark — and this, of course, makes things so much easier for you.

• • Your first call will be answered during office hours, by a funeral director or an experienced member of staff – never a call centre.•
• Home Visits – They will happily come and see you at home to make arrangements if you would like that.•
• Embalming – They will discuss this with you. Embalming can make people who have died look more themselves, but if you don’t want it, just say so. They won’t pressure you.•
• Continuity of Care – It is almost certain that the person with whom you arrange the funeral, bar sickness or holiday, will lead the cortege on the day – there will be no stranger who’s taken over. If it can’t for some reason be that person, the funeral director who will be in charge on the day will introduce him/herself well in advance. If, when you call, the manager of the branch is away (possibly conducting a funeral), the person who is covering will make arrangements with you and either conduct the funeral or introduce you to the funeral director who will. The important point is that someone you know will be there for you on the day.•
• Family Participation – If you want to carry the coffin, they’ll show you how. This is something they encourage. If you’d like to come in and wash and dress the person who has died, they’ll be there for you. If you’d just like to come in do their hair and nails, that’s absolutely no problem. They believe in empowering you to do what you want and they’ll help you in any way they can.
• Same sex person to wash and dress? – Yes, if you want. No problem. Just ask.
• Ethnic Specialism – They are highly experienced in all funeral customs.
• Local Celebrants – Excellent local celebrants to choose from if you do not want a religious minister.
• Home arranged funerals – Will gladly work with you in any way you want if you wish to care for the person who has died at home: see the Do It All Yourself section of the Good Funeral Guide website.
• Website – Comprehensive information well set out. All prices shown here. An unusually well-written website which reflects humanity and lack of pretension.
• Client Support – They have an online book of remembrance which gives you the opportunity of collecting money for a chosen charity. If you want to be put in touch with a bereavement support group they will make that happen for you. After the funeral, call in anytime for a cuppa – they’ll always be pleased to see you.
• Money matters – Competitively priced. If money is any sort of a problem, be completely upfront about it and they’ll be able to give you all the help they can.
• Flowers – They can recommend good florists.
• Masonry – They can recommend stonemasons who will make you a headstone.
• Getting there – Hampstead: Tube: Belsize Park, premises right opposite. Buses: 168 46 C11. On-street parkingall round – meters. Muswell Hill: Tube: East Finchley, buses and minicabs outside or 10-min walk. Some free onstreet parking close to premises. Golders Green: Tube: Golders Green, premises 150 meters away. Some on-street parking or use Sainsbury’s round the back, free for 1 hour. Lots of buses stop just outside. Kentish Town: Tube: Kentish Town + 10 mins walk (max). Limited pay-and-display parking. Good buses: C2 214 134.

Down-to-earth, very decent people who will, with kindness, care and invisible expertise, help you create exactly the funeral you want. There aren’t many funeral directors who give their clients as much time as the Leverton’s team. Very nice people.

Any decisions you take on engaging the services of a funeral director should be based on your views and research. You should not rely solely upon the views and opinions offered by us.