When a family member or close friend passes away, it is a difficult enough time for everyone who was close to them, without also having to fret about funeral costs.

However, it is possible to ‘send them off in style’ without having to break the bank. Horse drawn funeral hearses are a traditional, reasonably priced, service which can provide a memorable and dignified send-off for any loved one.

Where can I find a provider of this service?

Karen Basset offers such a service in and around Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Staffordshire, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and the West Midlands. The team of experienced drivers, dressed in traditional Victorian livery, provide a competent, trustworthy and reliable service, reminiscent of a bygone era.

What will be provided?

Normally, she provides a pair of black Silesian or Hungarian horses, turned out to a high standard in English leather harnesses, pulling a black replica Victorian horse drawn hearse. She does, however, specialise in teams of four or six horses, either black or white. A gun carriage is also available, as are silver or white hearses, for the funerals of young people or anyone who requires a less sombre ambience. For the white and silver hearses, Karen usually provides a pair of French Arab grey horses, a pair of dappled grey horses and a pair of Lipizzaner which, like the black horses, are trained to stand quietly and be extremely reliable in traffic.

The horses usually wear black, white, pink, blue or purple plumes made from ostrich feathers but other colours are available if desired. They can also wear black or white drapes if required.

Additional Services

There is also a range of additional services on offer in order to give each funeral a special, unique touch. These include using a team of four or six horses to pull the hearse, the provision of two liveried outriders and even providing carriages for the mourners to ride in. Each of these can be provided by special arrangement.