The Gate House Support Centre & Chapels of Rest

The Gate House, Old Coach Road, Colchester, CO1 2TH
Tel: 01206 760049

Welcome to The Gate House Support Centre &
Chapel of Rest

The Gate House is our Support Centre for the group, and the Chapel of Rest for our Colchester branches.

The facilities include the Chapel of Rest, our coffin workshop, embalming theatre, memorial showroom, and is the hub for our logistics and administration teams.

Most of our funeral fleet is based here, our hearses and limousines; and the First Response Vehicles.

Chapels of Rest

Our Chapels of Rest have been individually designed to provide a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere.

Our chapels are multi-faith, and we are privileged to look after people of many religious beliefs, or none, and to respect their traditions and customs.

For the families of babies and children, our trained staff are on hand to ensure that their precious child is lovingly cared for when they visit.

In order to make your visit to The Gate House as relaxed as possible, we request that you make an appointment so that you are able to have personal attention.

Our First Response Team

Very often, our First Response Team will be your first point of contact if someone dies at home; and they also receive visitors to our Chapels of Rest. They are on call, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.

Our First Response vehicles are fully equipped to deal with any emergency situation, and we are contracted to the Essex Coroner’s Service to respond to sudden or unexplained deaths at any location and in any circumstances.

In times of immediate need and great distress, they provide quiet reassurance, support and compassion, which is so much appreciated by families.

Our team

Mark Ingram

Brad Sharpeale

Iain Hester

Steve Carter

Lisa Hastings

Frequently Asked Questions

  • When can I visit the Chapel of Rest?

    In the days leading up to your friend or family member’s funeral in Colchester, you are welcome to come to visit and view them at our Chapel of Rest in Colchester. We ask that you make an appointment to view the deceased, because our Gate House is largely a support centre for our First Response Team and Memorials Department and therefore not open to visitors all the time. To arrange an appointment to view, please contact your funeral arranger, or you can call us directly on 01206 760049.

  • Can I arrange a funeral at the Gate House?

    The Gate House is our support centre in Colchester and also houses the Chapel of Rest which serves our Colchester and Stanway branches. Our arrangers are not based here, so you will need to visit one of our branches to arrange a funeral. You can find your most convenient branch here.

  • Why do you have a silver hearse and fleet?

    Our silver fleet was the first in the region, and we launched it initially to introduce a slightly less sombre feel to the funeral cortege. Many of our customers commented that they found it comforting and uplifting not to be all in black, and our silver hearse theme has now been copied and emulated by many other funeral companies.

  • Testimonials

    Contact details

    The Gate House Support Centre & Chapel of Rest

    The Gate House, Old Coach Road, Colchester, Essex, United Kingdom, CO1 2TH

    Call us

    01206 760049