Circle Funerals

Profile
Sara and Jeremy (Jez) Fixter are the husband-and-wife team behind Circle Funerals in Altrincham. From the moment we met them, it was clear how deeply they value the privilege of caring for families and how thoughtful their approach is. They speak with warmth and sincerity about supporting people through some of life’s most difficult moments, and their commitment shines through in every detail of their work.

Sara’s professional background is in law; she previously practised as a solicitor before taking time out to bring up their two daughters. She is now training as a psychotherapist and volunteers actively with Cruse Bereavement Support. This experience informs her role as a funeral director, shaping the way she listens, understands, and gently supports families and individuals. Jeremy came to funeral work after a career in HR and recruitment, motivated by a desire to do something more fulfilling and meaningful. Together, they have found a vocation that feels profoundly right for both of them.

Sara and Jeremy first opened their doors in 2022 as part of the Full Circle Funerals franchise network, trading under the name Full Circle Funerals Partners Altrincham. They were always independent owners, running the business day to day themselves. In 2025 they amicably stepped away from the network and continued under their own name, Circle Funerals. The change of name reflects their independence, but the service itself remains the same: family-run, rooted in the community, and guided by the same thoughtful and compassionate approach.

Approach and Philosophy

Circle Funerals is, at heart, about listening. Families come to Sara and Jeremy at many different points – when planning ahead, in the midst of a bereavement, or even after the funeral when support is still needed.

They also support people who want to plan ahead. Through their free Funeral Wishes service, they help individuals record their preferences clearly, so families are spared uncertainty later. This gentle, practical support is offered without pressure, simply as a way to make choices in advance and ensure they are understood.  For those who prefer to make financial provision as well, pre-paid funeral plans are available.

They take time to hear what matters, explain options clearly in plain and sensitive language, and work entirely at the family’s pace without rushing decisions. Some people want to be heavily involved in decision-making and personal care, others prefer a lighter touch – both are equally respected.

Their approach is quietly professional and calm. They see every funeral as unique and strive to create something that truly reflects the person who has died and the values of those arranging the funeral. They can help with traditional services, contemporary or alternative ceremonies, eco-conscious choices, direct cremation, or home funerals where families prefer to take on more themselves. The emphasis is always on flexibility and tailoring support to the individual situation.

Community and Bereavement Support
What particularly stands out about Circle is how much they see their role as extending beyond the funeral day itself. They are embedded in the local community and regularly run workshops on Wellbeing After Bereavement and Bereavement at Work in colleges, care homes, and healthcare settings. Their Art After Lossinitiative, which showcased creative responses to grief in local venues, grew into a weekly bereavement support group at Altrincham Town Hall with Oyez Arts. This openness and willingness to share knowledge breaks down the mystery that has traditionally surrounded funerals and makes it easier for people to ask questions, feel informed, and make choices that feel right for them.

Sara’s role as a Cruse Bereavement Volunteer adds further depth, and both she and Jeremy take pride in signposting not only families they work with, but also members of the wider community, to helpful resources and services. Their recognition with the Bereavement Support Award at the Good Funeral Awards (2023) was especially meaningful to them, as it reflected the testimonies of those they have supported.

Recognition and Standards
Circle Funerals has also been named Business of the Year at the Altrincham & Sale Chamber of Commerce Awards (2024), a reflection not only of their professionalism but of the way they are regarded within their community. They are proud to be accredited by the Good Funeral Guide and to belong to SAIF (The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors). For Sara and Jeremy, these honours and memberships are less about prestige and more about showing that families can trust in their thoughtful, transparent, and person-led approach.

The Premises
Their premises on Ashley Road in Altrincham are calm, light-filled and intentionally different from what many expect of a funeral director. The reception area and arranging rooms are airy and comfortable, while the visiting space offers families the chance to spend quiet time with the person who has died, in whichever way feels right. Some families prefer a coffin arrangement, others choose for their person to be laid in a bed with pillows and covers – options which Sara and Jeremy discuss gently and openly.

Behind the scenes, their spotless mortuary allows them to care for people with dignity and minimal intervention. Daily care is quietly attentive, from simple hygiene washing to applying moisturiser to a person’s face. Families who wish to be involved in personal care are supported to do so. Upstairs, a small showroom displays a range of coffins and ashes containers, from traditional and natural wood options to biodegradable wicker, woollen, felted, or cardboard designs.

Eco-Conscious Choices
Many families today are thinking about environmental impact, and Circle offers a wide range of eco-conscious options. These include sustainable coffins and urns, seasonal locally grown flowers, foam-free floral tributes, digital or recycled orders of service, and natural or woodland burials. Transport choices can also be adapted, from horse-drawn carriages to family cars. Sara and Jeremy’s role is to explain what is possible locally and support families to include as many – or as few – eco-friendly elements as feel right for them.

Transparency and Costs
Clarity is central to their ethos. Families are provided with transparent price lists, explained in plain and sensitive language, so that there are no surprises. Their professional fee of £2,350 includes the essentials: bringing the person who has died into their care (within normal office hours), attentive care in their mortuary, use of the visiting room, guidance with paperwork, support in making choices, and coordination of arrangements to ensure everything runs smoothly. Direct cremations are available from £1,595 (or £1,995 for an enhanced service), and their support for home funerals is £750, allowing families to keep much of the arrangement in their own hands while still drawing on Circle’s expertise when needed.

What’s important
Above all, Sara and Jeremy believe in creating a safe and supportive environment where families feel able to make the choices that are right for them. They balance gentle guidance with respect for each person’s wishes, offering as much or as little involvement as is wanted. They handle the details with quiet professionalism, so families can focus on what matters most. The sense we had, in spending time with them, was of two people who see this as a vocation, not a job, and who are wholly dedicated to offering their best care.

Remarks
Sara and Jeremy are exactly the kind of funeral directors we are delighted to recommend: thoughtful, dedicated and immensely likeable. Their independence allows them complete flexibility, their professionalism gives families confidence, and their compassion ensures that every person is cared for with dignity and warmth. Circle Funerals is a trusted, community-minded service offering high-quality support at every stage of bereavement.

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.