Harrison Funeral Home is a leading UK LGBT+ funeral directors for the community and their families.
We specialise in delivering respectful final send-offs for all members of the rainbow community. We arrange meaningful funerals that treat the deceased individual and their family with dignity and respect, whether the person was out or not; religious or not; lesbian, gay, bi, trans, non-binary, questioning, intersex, and all that the LGBTQIA+ banner encompasses.
As a proud supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, we recognise that there is still a way to go within all sectors to better communicate and deliver support. Particularly in the funeral sector, discrimination is the last thing that anyone should have to face – bereavement is difficult enough without having to worry about acceptance.
Following Marie Curie’s 2016 report, ‘The Reality of End of Life Care for LGBT People,’ we acknowledge that our allyship is more important than ever. This report found that 74% of LGBT+ people are not confident that health and social care services provide adequate end of life care. Whilst this report is more in relation to palliative care, where a group lacks confidence in the care they are entitled to in life, it follows that they would have the same low estimation for after life care (funerals and funeral homes). This, on both fronts, needs to change.
At Harrison’s, we recognise that LGBTQ+ people may have been previously discriminated against because of who they are. Whether it is the person who has died who was LGBT+, their partner, or family or friends, we provide a space that is welcoming to all. Making arrangements for a loved one’s final send-off is difficult enough without having to wonder whether treatment will change after sexuality, gender identity, or identity has been revealed. We want you to know that you can feel safe talking about whatever you need to in the confidence of our team.
Furthermore, we have actual, ‘boots on the ground’ experience as LGBT+ funeral directors, conducting services up and down the UK. Varying from the quiet yet meaningful, to the more lavish, and everything that is in between; from religious and traditional, to non-religious and non-traditional, we help families arrange a funeral that encompasses the life and beliefs of the deceased.
GAY BUSINESS ALLIANCE & GAY PROFESSIONAL NETWORK MEMBERS
Harrison Funeral Home is a member of both the Gay Business Association and the Gay Professional Network. Here, we are able to help with the work to fight LGBTQ+ inequalities, as well as promote community positivity.
We are proud to be setting the example as the leading LGBTQ+ funeral sector advocate, pushing for positive change within our corner of the world. Being members of the Gay Business Alliance and Gay Professional Network connects us with like-minded individuals and provides us with the opportunity to campaign for real change at the highest levels, with fellow members including politicians such as the House of Lords Spokesperson for International LGBT Rights, Lord Paul Scriven.
LGBT+ FUNERAL DIRECTORS Year-Round
For us, it is more than just business – it is personal. The people we love – members of our staff, families, and friends – are LGBTQIA+.
We believe that showing our support for the community cannot simply be displaying a rainbow version of our company logo on social media for Pride Month and nothing more. We display a rainbow sticker in our branch windows to let the world know where we stand (and to signpost our friendliness!). We are members of LGBT business associations where we can advocate for our families. We are also currently mid an advocacy project for LGBT+ in the funeral sector.
It is very real to us that there is much work still to be done, and at Harrison’s, we are taking our commitment seriously. We look forward to updating you with our progress periodically.
We invite you to see our dedicated LGBT Funerals page for more details. If you prefer to speak to someone, please call Bradley (he/him) at our Enfield branch on 020 8819 3465 and he will be happy to help.
A NOTE ON THE LANGUAGE WE USE
You may notice that we interchange between LGBT+ acronyms. Firstly, LGBT, LGBT+, LGBTQ, LGBTTQQIA and LGBTQIA+ are umbrella terms for the same community. They all broadly mean the same, and the truth is, there is no option that everyone agrees with.
The most current study about which acronym is preferred was conducted in 2019 by Community Marketing & Insights, the world’s leading LGBTQ market research firm. Asking how people felt about LGBT, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+, LGBT+, queer, LGBTQIA+, and LGBTQIA, it was found that 70% of respondents favoured ‘LGBT’ and ‘LGBTQ’.
In Harrison Funeral Home communications, we do not drop any of the letters with the intention of alienating anyone. Our intention is to be able to reach as many families as possible, so that you know we exist and that we may help you, and currently the most widely used internet search terms are LGBT and LGBT+.
Harrison Funeral Home
Harrison Funeral Home is here to make a difficult time a little easier. Our experts are specialists in helping bereaved families in Enfield, Winchmore Hill, Highgate and nationally with funeral arrangements.