Jo Nicholls

My name is Jo Nicholls and I operate Three Shires Independent Funeral Services based in Congleton Cheshire.

My father died when I was just 10 years old and my mother followed when I was only 29. Through seeing their funeral services first-hand, I felt there was something missing. It made me think I wanted to do it differently, do it better. That was in 2004 and it made me determined that I could and should look to do this as my career path.

A friend’s father was a funeral director and I asked him for help. He gave me some work experience which I then used to acquire a job with the Co-op Funeral Services and later moved on to Dignity Plc.

I felt that in these roles I was not given the opportunity to spend enough time with the families of the deceased to make a positive difference to an exceedingly difficult situation.

So, in 2018 I set up my own business and have taken pride in giving people the send-off they deserve, whilst offering the families the facilities, service, and value they need.

Some of my clients have said: 

“Nothing is too much trouble for Jo.”
“Very professional and supportive service.”
“We really appreciated your flexibility and help.”
“Compassionate and Caring value from start to finish.”
“Very kind and caring, a great help throughout the whole process.”
“Thank you, Jo, for meeting our every need in such a personal caring manner.”

Since starting my own business, I have served the people of Cheshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire with peace of mind for a dignified, respectful funeral for their loved ones.

The present climate has led me to extend my offerings of a value for money, caring service to also cover family connection through working with Live Your Legacy Ltd. This enables family members a full understanding of their relatives wishes and thereby help reduce the emotional turmoil of decision making at an extremely sensitive time.

It is always an honour to provide the most attentive and dignified service to families who come to me about their loved ones.

I live in Sandbach with my husband Adrian and two children Freya and Lottie. In my spare time I love to tend horses and connect with nature.

Jean Francis

Having arrived into this world in 1939, two months before World War II began, I can remember ration books and gas masks! As a very sensitive child I cried bitterly when flowers in a vase died, not to mention the anguish of losing my darling Dad. The war years were lean, if we didn’t have it, my Dad would make it, he was a master of ‘make do and mend'.

I grew up with my brother and sister in the countryside, and our greatest treat was to go for walks with our Dad. He taught us the names of the wild flowers, butterflies, birds and trees, instilling in me a deep love and respect for nature that would stay with me always. It now gives me great pleasure to share this knowledge with my three grandchildren...

Dr Dawn Gibbins MBE 

I am sitting by the grave of my mum and dad with tree blossoms tumbling from the skies.

The blossoms dancing in the wind making me reflect on my life and I feel so blessed to have lived the enriched life I have enjoyed so far.

For more than 30 years I have been an owner of multiple award-winning successful businesses that have bought me great material wealth. But the focus on wealth crucified my inner joy...

So, over the past 10 years I have been discovering and using tools and techniques to get me from business burn out and wasting fortunes to finding fun, freedom and fulfilment. I am offering the tools and techniques I discovered in motivational talks and workshops...

Nicole Van Zommeren 

I grew up in Australia and after 15 years in the UK, I have recently returned to the wide spaces and endless skies.

A few years before leaving Australia on my round-the-world adventure, my father died after 6 months of fighting cancer. He was strong in body and mind, and he was determined to fight this illness, until the final few days when he surrendered and said goodbye to us.

Our family created a very memorable celebration of his life; we sang around his coffin at the funeral, just like we had in the hospital for the weeks and months he was ill; I hung the positive affirmation posters that had brightened his stark hospital walls on fabric for all to see at his wake. Little did I know that years later these experiences would form the cornerstone of my future work...

Amanda – Director of Education

I am the founder of Ancient & Sacred Trees, with over 50,000 members & rising. Its’ ethos is PositiviTree for CommuniTree celebrating peoples ancient and sacred connections with trees. AST is an eco-activist, mental health and wellbeing group aiming to rewild humans, campaigning for cultural change, protecting and planting trees. The passion members have for the natural world has really inspired me so much and gives me hope for the future of our planet. AST is now a Community Interest Company.

I am passionate about ecology, wellbeing and social justice. I am a qualified teacher and artist BA Hons, PGCE, as well as therapeutic arts coach, writer, historian, story teller, blessing giver, sound healer, forest guide and tree temple keeper. The happiness and wellbeing of people and planet has informed my career for nearly thirty years…

News and Information Blog

 

What our Customers are Saying About Us

Jean leaves no stone unturned, no aspect unexplained – and I had no idea it would be such fun. Under her sensitive guidance and with her extensive knowledge of what is possible…

Thank you Jean, for your inspired, humorous and down to earth approach to a subject that is so often considered taboo.

Tricia in her 60s

This workshop is well worth attending as there's a mine of thought-provoking information and Jean facilitates with compassion, warmth and humour.
Marion F in her 50s

Jean's little funeral books are packed with inspiration. The reader will be hard pushed to think of things that are not included and ideas that she does not touch on.
Rosie Inman-Cook

Natural Death Centre

It was a wonderfully inspiring day, that taught me so much. I would recomend it to anyone. It was a real fun day. And at the end of it you come out with something of real value for your loved ones, when they will need it most… If you get the chance to… attend… do your family a big favour! And start to live your legacy.

Lionel in his 60s

Attending a Last Wishes Workshop proved to be one of the best decisions I have made. It opened up the whole subject in such a lovely way and raised my awareness of alternative and loving ways to say goodbye and to honour a loved one.

I so wish I had had this knowledge many years ago when my husband died. I would highly recommend this Workshop to every one.

Ella R in her 70s

It was an utter joy to meet you on Saturday and benefit from your knowledge and wisdom...

Sandra S in her 50s

End-Of-Life Planning Courses & Workshops

 

Last Wishes provides face to face or online training that covers the importance of and options around planning the end of your life.

For peace of mind, for yourself and your loved ones, we've created easy to follow courses that take you by the hand to look at your end of life considerations. We help you understand the options available and the impact those choices have on your family, friends, community and the environment.

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Last Wishes Tea Rooms

 

Our Last Wishes Tea Rooms are free community events in a safe space for anyone to talk about anything related to death and dying.

They provide support for anyone who would like to talk about anything coming up for them, or indeed any curiosity or end of life concern. Currently our Last Wishes Tea Rooms are online. With safe distancing measures anyone can join us by logging in from around the globe.

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Last Wishes End-Of-Life Planning Products

 From a range of books to our unique Last Wishes cards covering a wide range of concerns around end-of-life our products also raise money for nature too. 

Check out our blog too, with numerous categories there are lots of free resources to help you

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