Crematorium
Funeral Flowers for The Downs Crematorium
Families from across Brighton and Hove, and from the Sussex towns and villages around them, hold services at The Downs Crematorium on Bear Road, the hillside venue east of the city centre, near Brighton racecourse.
It is the privately run half of Brighton's pair of crematoria: Dignity, one of the UK's larger funeral groups, operates The Downs, while the council's Woodvale Crematorium stands a short distance away off Lewes Road. Knowing which of the two a funeral has been booked into matters more here than almost anywhere else.
Flowers feature in most services on Bear Road, and a little background on how they reach the venue makes the whole thing easier.
Flower Policy
Lettered names, wreaths, sheaves, posies and full casket sprays all make their way up the hill for services here. The delivery happens in advance, florist and crematorium fix a time between them, or the funeral director does it for them, leaving the family with nothing to coordinate on the morning itself.
When mourners file out after the committal, the tributes are usually waiting on display for them to look over. A family wanting the flowers afterwards, whether to take home or to pass to a hospice or care home, tends to let the funeral director know in good time so the staff understand what should happen.
Delivery Guidance
Ordering goes smoothly when the florist hears the name of the person being remembered, the day, the start time, and the words 'The Downs Crematorium, Bear Road, Brighton' in full. With Woodvale so close by, careful families confirm with the funeral director which of the two Brighton venues holds the booking before any order is placed.
Bear Road is a routine address for Brighton's florists. Same-day tributes are possible with an early call; and plenty of tributes never go to Bear Road directly at all, they reach the funeral director first and accompany the coffin from there.
Order with a trusted florist
Send funeral flowers
Choose a trusted UK florist to arrange and deliver your tribute. Both offer nationwide delivery to crematoria, funeral homes and residential addresses.
To keep our guidance free, we may earn a small commission when you order through these links, never at extra cost to you.
Access & Directions
Bear Road climbs the hill from the Lewes Road junction towards the racecourse, and the crematorium has its own car park.
Buses cover Bear Road and the surrounding streets, with Brighton station a short taxi ride away. The gradient is a real one, mourners on foot find the walk takes longer than the map suggests.
Towns Served
Nearby Crematoria
- Woodvale Crematorium
Lewes Road, Brighton
- Croydon Crematorium
Mitcham Road, Croydon CR9
- Kemnal Park Crematorium
Kemnal Road, Chislehurst
Popular Tribute Types
Helpful Guides
- What to Write on a Funeral Flower CardExample messages for funeral flower cards, grouped by relationship, with guidance on religious and non-religious wording and signing on behalf of a group.
- Wreath vs Spray vs Casket ArrangementHow wreaths, sprays and casket arrangements differ in shape, placement and price, and how to choose the right one for your relationship and budget.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Who operates The Downs Crematorium?
Dignity, a private funeral group, unlike nearby Woodvale Crematorium, which Brighton and Hove City Council runs.
How do I make sure flowers go to the right Brighton crematorium?
The funeral notice, or a quick word with the funeral director, settles whether the service is at The Downs on Bear Road or Woodvale on Lewes Road; the full venue name and road then go on the florist's order.
When do tributes arrive at The Downs?
Ahead of the start time, with the florist and venue having agreed the slot, an accurate order is the family's whole contribution.
What happens to the flowers after the service?
They are normally on display for family and mourners after the committal, and with prior arrangement through the funeral director can then be taken away or donated.