Funeral home prep in Exeter
Professional funeral home prep services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£110-£160
Typical Duration
2-3 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Home prepared respectfully for a funeral wake. Furniture moved, space created, seating arranged. Discreet, sensitive help when you need it most.
One Less Thing to Worry About
You're dealing with funeral arrangements, family logistics, catering, and grief. The last thing you need is to be wrestling furniture around the house.
We help prepare your home for the wake - creating space, arranging seating, setting up tables - so it's ready to receive family and friends. Discreet, respectful, and one less thing on your plate.
We've helped many Exeter families through this difficult time. We know when to ask questions and when to just quietly get on with the job.
| ✅ What We Handle | ❌ What You Skip |
|---|---|
| Furniture rearranged | No heavy lifting |
| Seating layout sorted | No stress about space |
| Tables positioned | No last-minute panic |
| House ready for guests | No physical strain |
| Post-wake pack-down available | No cleanup burden |
Common requests: Clearing the main room, setting up seating, positioning food/drink tables, creating coat space, moving personal items, general tidying.
What You'll Pay
Depends on how much needs moving and arranging:
| Scenario | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Simple room rearrangement | 2 hrs | £110 |
| Full wake setup (multiple rooms) | 2.5 hrs | £135 |
| Setup + post-wake pack-down | 3 hrs | £160 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after.
💡 Pro tip: If you're having caterers deliver, let us know when they're arriving. We can time our work so tables and space are ready for them to set up straight onto.
Typical Setup
🏠 Main Room
- Furniture moved to edges or other rooms
- Seating arranged (chairs brought from other rooms)
- Central space cleared for standing/mingling
- Side table positioned for flowers/photos
🍽️ Food & Drink Area
- Dining table extended or extra table set up
- Kitchen surface cleared
- Glasses and cup area organized
- Bin positioned discreetly
👔 Entrance & Coats
- Hallway cleared
- Coat hooks/rail set up
- Extra seating near door for elderly guests
- Trip hazards removed
🪑 Seating Strategy
- Chairs around room edges
- Comfortable spots for elderly relatives
- Clear pathways between areas
- Garden furniture brought in if needed
Why Choose Us for Funeral home prep in Exeter?
Respectful, discreet service
Space ready for guests
One less worry
Sensitive to your needs
What to Expect
Step 1: Quiet Consultation
We arrive at a time that suits you, discuss what needs doing, understand the layout you want, and confirm how many guests you're expecting. We work around your schedule.
Step 2: Respectful Preparation
We move furniture carefully (protecting floors and walls), arrange seating as discussed, set up tables, and create the space you need. We work efficiently and quietly.
Step 3: Ready for Guests
We show you the finished layout, make any adjustments you want, and ensure you're happy with the setup. If you've booked pack-down, we arrange when to return after the wake.
🔧 DIY Tips
If you're preparing the house yourself:
Day Before:
- Measure your main room and plan the layout on paper
- Decide which furniture absolutely must stay
- Borrow extra chairs from neighbors/family
- Clear surfaces in kitchen for caterers
Common Mistakes:
- ❌ Leaving too much furniture - people need space to move
- ❌ Not enough seating for elderly guests
- ❌ Food table too small for the spread
- ❌ Forgetting about coat storage
- ❌ Trip hazards like rugs or cables
Pro Tricks:
- Push large furniture against walls, remove small pieces entirely
- Create distinct zones: seating, food, drinks, coats
- Leave clear paths between rooms
- Put valuables and personal items in a bedroom
- Have more chairs than you think you'll need
What You'll Need:
- Extra chairs (borrow or hire)
- At least one sturdy table for food
- Somewhere for outdoor shoes if it's muddy (very likely in Devon)
- Bin bags and tissues handy but discreet
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
Timing: Most families book us for the morning of the wake or the afternoon before. Setup typically takes 2-3 hours depending on what needs doing.
Pack-Down Service: After the wake, when guests have left, we can return to put everything back. Usually takes 1-2 hours. It's the last thing you'll feel like doing after an emotional day.
What We Don't Do: We don't handle food prep or cleaning (that's caterers/cleaners). We focus on physical setup - furniture, space, and layout.
Devon Funerals: Many Exeter wakes happen at home, especially in family houses. We understand local traditions and have helped at properties from small terraces to larger family homes.
Sensitivity: We've done this enough to know everyone handles grief differently. However you need us to work - chatty and supportive, or just quietly efficient - we'll follow your lead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does funeral home prep involve?
Usually moving furniture to create space, setting up tables and chairs for the wake, clearing areas for food and drinks, and general preparation so your home is ready to receive guests. We work sensitively and follow your instructions exactly.
Can you help on short notice?
Yes. We understand funeral arrangements happen quickly. We prioritize funeral prep bookings and can often schedule within 24-48 hours. Call and we'll do our best to help.
Will you be respectful and discreet?
Absolutely. We've helped many families through this difficult time. We work quietly, respectfully, and follow your wishes. If you need us to just get on with it while you deal with other things, we will.
Can you help pack down after the wake?
Yes. Many families book us for both setup before and pack-down after. We put furniture back, clean up, and restore the house to normal. One less thing for you to worry about.
What if I don't know what needs doing?
We can advise. Having helped with many funeral preparations, we know what usually works - creating space in the main room, setting up a food table, ensuring seating, and making the house welcoming for guests.
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