Sanctum by Beulah B. Malkin | W. Uden & Sons Funeral Directors

Sanctum

I built a tiny garden
In a corner of my heart
I kept it just for lovely things
And bade all else depart
And ever was there music
And flowers blossomed fair;
And never was it perfect
Until you entered there

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“Sanctum” is a short, poignant, and deeply heartfelt poem that is often chosen for funeral and memorial services. Its power lies in its simple yet profound central metaphor: a special, protected place within the heart, made perfect by the presence of a loved one.

If someone has died, Our Family is here to help you.

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Epitaph on a Friend by Robert Burns

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Epitaph on a Friend by Robert Burns

An honest man here lies at rest,
The friend of man, the friend of truth;
The friend of age, and guide of youth:
Few hearts like his, with virtue warm’d,
Few heads with knowledge so inform’d:
If there’s another world, he lives in bliss;
If there is none, he made the best of this.

If I Should Go by Joyce Grenfell

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If I Should Go by Joyce Grenfell

If I should go before the rest of you
Break not a flower nor inscribe a stone
Nor when I’m gone speak in a Sunday voice
But be the usual selves that I have known
Weep if you must
Parting is hell
But life goes on
So sing as well.

The Dash by Linda Ellis

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The Dash by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on the tombstone
From the beginning…to the end

He noted that first came the date of birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years

For that dash represents all the time
That they spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved them
Know what that little line is worth

For it matters not, how much we own,
The cars…the house…the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So, think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect
And more often wear a smile,
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash…
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent YOUR dash?

Turn Again To Life by Mary Lee Hall

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Turn Again To Life by Mary Lee Hall

If I should die and leave you here awhile,
Be not like others sore undone, who keep
Long vigils by the silent dust, and weep.
For my sake – turn again to life and smile,
Nerving thy heart and trembling hand to do
Something to comfort other hearts than thine.
Complete these dear unfinished tasks of mine
And I, perchance, may therein comfort you.

A Silent Tear by Gaynor Llewellyn

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A Silent Tear by Gaynor Llewellyn

Just close your eyes and you will see all the memories that you have of me

Just sit and relax and you will find, I’m really still there inside your mind.

Don’t cry for me now I’m gone, for I am in the land of song.

There is no pain, there is no fear, so dry away that silent tear

Don’t think of me in the dark and cold. for here I am, no longer old.

I’m in that place that’s filled with love, known to you all, as “up above”.

"We Decided to Use Udens and It was the best decision we ever made"

Watch a video testimonial from Juliet, for whom we had the honour of conducting her mother’s funeral service.

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If someone has died, Our Family is here to help you.

Find your nearest office below or request a call back.

orpington

bromley

beckenham

west-wickham

dulwich

biggin-hill

petts-wood

camberwell

sidcup

bexleyheath

eltham

Michael L

Reviewing on behalf of my mother and she has said -Thank you for the care and respect you gave my mum and our family at such a painful time. From the first arrangements to the last time we got to see our mum, it was so dignified, respectful, and beautiful. From the office staff, pallbearers, and the people who were with my mum to get her ready, everyone at Udens, I couldn't ask for a better way to send my mum off.

Rosa C.

From our first contact with Uden's to our last, I can honestly say we were dealt with a great deal of professionalism and empathy.We were given relevant information and never pressurised to purchase anything more than we required.Throughout we received relevant emails to keep us updated. Letting us know our mother was with them and also enabling us to visit.The day before the funeral we received a call from them. This introduced us to the person looking after us on the day of the service. Which helped put us at ease.The funeral possession was done with great respect, from walking in front of the hearse, to moving her to the burial ground. You couldn't fault the way the team worked together.This is not my first experience with Uden's and although many year's apart. I can truly say there standards have remained very high.

Katie S.

Respectful, kind, caring, trustworthy and organised. Could not have asked for anything more from Jack, Bina and the entire team.

Louise J.

I completely trust Udens- they are organised, courteous, sensitive and extremely thorough. The communication was super throughout and my late sister had the best send off.

Carl W.

Terrific support with both knowledge of the funeral process and Honor Oak Crematorium. Made a difficult and emotional process extremely easy with maximum flexibility and advice.

Tim W.

Dear Team, I would like to give my heartfelt thanks for the funeral arrangements you helped us make for my dad. I am so glad we chose you because the kindness and respect you afforded us was second to none. Our special thanks to Andrea who was so kind and consoling during such a sad time for us all. Also many thanks to Lee and his team on the day of the funeral. I cannot praise Udens in Petts Wood highly enough.

C R.

Dear Andrea and team. Thank you so much for an excellent service from start to finish. You were compassionate, empathetic and very helpful during our recent bereavement of our Dad. Everything ran smoothly making a difficult day an easier one with everyone executing their part with respect, friendliness, punctuality and immaculate uniforms despite the hot day. Thank you everyone

Iain G.

My family could not have been happier with the care the whole team provided. It was a difficult time made easier because of you. Many thanks to Jack.

Doreen R.

Dear MikeI just felt I had to thank you for arranging an excellent service yesterday. It was exactly what Trevor would have approved of and everything went according to plan, with the right amount of emotion and remembrance. We could not have chosen a better Celebrant.My thanks once again.Doreen Regan

marty T.

During an immensely difficult time following the passing of my brother, the team here provided exceptional support and care. From the very beginning, their communication was flawless—they responded to every email promptly and handled every detail of the arrangements with complete professionalism.What stood out most was the utmost respect they showed to my brother and the gracious, classy treatment extended to our entire family. They made an incredibly hard process feel seamless and dignified. I would not hesitate to recommend their services to anyone in need of compassionate, top-tier care for their loved one.

andrew W.

W Uden & Sons were utterly outstanding in their managing the funeral of my brother, John West. They were exceptionally professional, compassionate and understanding. I cannot recommend them highly enough. BrilliantDr Andrew West

george D.

I am grateful for the professionalism, warmth and friendliness of the team at Udens in the planning and running of my dear aunt’s funeral. All my questions were answered and sound recommendations were made on flowers and printing. They made it all so straightforward and they acted with care and compassion throughout. Thanks and respect to Andrea, Alan, Stanley, Bailey and the other members of the team.

EDWARD T.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the exceptional care and professionalism provided by W. UDEN & SONS Family Funeral Directors, particularly Danny & Jack, during such a difficult time for our family.From our very first meeting, Danny & Jack demonstrated genuine compassion, patience, and respect. They guided us through every step of the funeral arrangements with clarity and understanding, ensuring that every detail was handled with dignity and care. Their calm and reassuring manner made an incredibly challenging experience much easier to navigate.The service itself was beautifully organized and conducted to the highest standard. Every aspect reflected professionalism, attention to detail, and a heartfelt commitment to honoring our loved one. Danny & Jack’s entire team went above and beyond to accommodate our family's wishes, making us feel supported throughout the entire process.I highly recommend W. UDEN & SONS Family Funeral Directors to anyone seeking a compassionate, reliable, and professional funeral service. Danny & Jack’s kindness, dedication, and exceptional level of care made a lasting impression, and we are truly grateful for everything W. UDEN & SONS Family Funeral Directors did for our family.

Eila F

Planning our brother’s funeral from the United States felt like an overwhelming task, but W. Uden & Sons in Camberwell made what could have been a stressful, complex process completely seamless.Despite the distance and time difference, their remote communication was prompt, clear, compassionate, and thorough. Every detail was finalized and completely settled before we even boarded our flight to the UK.When we arrived, everything was organized to perfection. The funeral service itself was nothing short of spectacular—handled with immense dignity, class, and respect. The team brought us so much peace during a difficult time. I cannot thank the Camberwell team enough for their professionalism and warmth. I highly recommend them to any family, near or far.

Debbie W.

At a very sad time .Udens was the kindest and most caring supportive people . Nothing was a problem. They looked after mum as they promised they would do. Mum had a beautiful send off . Adam and Lee were so kind and professional. I can not thank them enough making a very hard time a bit easier.