We are here to offer a listening ear and lighten your load at a distressing time, just when you need it the most.
Everything we do is with care and compassion. We all take ownership of each step that leads to a successful funeral and a special day. Please contact us at any time to answer your questions and to help make both this difficult time and your funeral planning easier.
I was born into the funeral profession as my father Paul was a funeral director. We moved to Crawley in December 1982. The business was owned by Neil Ballard and originally called Bartley and Ward. My mother was also working for the business and managed the Crawley funeral home. Over the years the name of the business changed to Ballard and Shortall.
I became actively involved in the business in 1994 when I was 16 years old as a part-time receptionist, eventually becoming full time I left in 1998 to work at Gatwick Airport as a passenger service agent, working for Delta Airlines.
I returned to Ballard and Shortall as a funeral director in 2001 not long after the business was purchased by the Field family. I was placed in East Grinstead and obtained my Diploma in funeral directing in 2004.
My parents retired in 2016 and I moved to Crawley, I was a Senior Funeral Director there and became the Principal Funeral Director for North Sussex. In May 2021 I was promoted to General Manager.
The funeral profession has quite literally been my entire life, mostly working for CPJ Field. I married Gavin in 2012 and our son, Elliot was born in 2014. My spare time is very much focused around my family. I enjoy socialising with friends and when I get the opportunity I like to read.
I am locally born and bred, with a knowledge of the Crawley area. This is helpful when talking to families as I can relate to your preferences on funeral venues when we meet. My priority is to look after families during a difficult and emotional time, ensuring we reflect your loved one in the funeral we arrange. I started at Ballard and Shortall in January 2018 and progressed from Funeral Arranger to Funeral Home Manager in 2020 after gaining a qualification in funeral arranging.
In my spare time, I like to read, meet friends and family as well as chaperoning children at theatre productions as this is where my children spend a lot of their time. I am also the clerk to Governors at a local primary school.
I moved from Bedford to Crawley over 30 years ago, to get married and be with my now husband who lived in Crawley.
I am very familiar with the local Asian community (Hindu and Sikhs) and they are aware of and relate to us when thinking about a Funeral Home. I have a good familiarity with the rituals. My understanding of religion relieves families, and we personalize the arrangement of the funeral service. My main passion is to ensure that the minute the family walk into the funeral home they are looked after, and we can provide the best send-off for their loved one.
I started my role at Ballard and Shortall in August 2018 as a Funeral Arranger/Administrator and enjoy helping colleagues professionally and families through their difficult time.
In my spare time I enjoy going on long walks, going to local the gym (I love yoga and aqua aerobics), gardening and of course I love cooking.
Being born, raised, educated, and worked in Crawley I have a good understanding and sense of community. I have worked in various administrative roles since the age of 16 and was fortunate to become part of the Ballard & Shortall team in July 2024 as a funeral arranger and administrator.
I take great pride in supporting families at one of the most difficult times of their lives. It is important to me that they have a shoulder to lean on, a sympathetic and understanding ear and the comfort of knowing that their loved one, as well as themselves, will be looked after and cared for completely. It is an enormous privilege to be entrusted at such an emotional time to make sure a family can give their loved one the ‘final goodbye’ they wanted whilst ensuring that they know that each and every life is unique to us.
In my spare time I love to spend time with my husband Andy, and son Scott. I also enjoy reading, gardening, walking and socialising with friends.
It is essential that you choose a funeral director with whom you feel comfortable. Someone who will listen to you and your story, who will remove some of the burden of the many questions and decisions. Likewise, someone who will caringly guide you through the process of arranging a funeral that is personalised and unique, whether you are helping to organise the funeral of a loved one, or simply planning ahead for your own.
Read our full guide on how to choose a funeral home.
The average funeral is held between 13 to 16 days following the death, this timeframe takes into account all of the factors involved in organising a funeral, from obtaining official documentation through to scheduling time for officials and facilities.
It is common practice for some religious funerals to take place within a certain timeframe, where this is requested we will do our utmost to help with your arrangements.
We will work with you to ensure you have the funeral service suited to your needs and you should never feel under any pressure to rush through your arrangements.
We are here to provide you with any help and support you may need, from the preparations for the funeral, through to the event itself and the days and months that follow. We are happy to visit you in your own home to discuss arrangements, or if you prefer, we can talk in the comfort and privacy of one of our well-appointed reception rooms. Alternatively, we can talk over the phone or via a video call at a date and time that is convenient for you.
For further details, please see Our Service page.
