FEATURE
www.euroweeklynews.com
24 - 30 January 2019
A comfort in sad times A message from Michel Euesden, owner of the Euro Weekly News I DO not offer endorsements lightly. But in the case of Golden Leaves International it was an easy decision to reach. Sadly 2018 saw the loss of close friends, and this really struck home to me what a tremendous difference it can make at a highly emotional and stressful time if there are no worries about funeral arrangements. For those people who have recently arrived in Spain and many longer term residents - a death in the family can leave them at a complete loss of what to do. Who do you phone? What paperwork needs to be done? What is the first step to take? As I dwelt on the added stress of these factors in a sad and difficult process I began thinking about what the alternatives were. My thoughts went to the time my husband Steven and I had the honour to be invited to the British Embassy by the ambassador to meet Prince Charles and Camilla. There we not only met royalty, but also one of the most affable and likeable men you could want to meet - Barry Floyd. He had been invited, like us, as a result of his charitable work. When we started chatting I discovered he was Managing Director of Golden Leaves. We immediately built up a mutual respect. It was through him that I met Emma Quantrill, who had been running her own business in Mojacar (Almeria). She rapidly
The Golden Leaves ethos
WARM WELCOME: Golden Leaves Managing Director Barry Floyd with Michel, Chairman of Golden Leaves International Steve Rowland and Steven Euesden. went from offering Golden Leaves’ services through her own business to being their Operations Director for Spain. As my mind turned to funeral plans I decided to try them first hand and so contacted Golden Leaves to investigate further. I could not have had a warmer welcome. There was no pressure to buy - simply a straightforward, friendly chat with an explanation of the
plans they have to offer. All the staff are an absolute credit to Golden Leaves. I was impressed - so much so that both Steven and I invested in a plan. Now I know that when the inevitable happens my loved ones will not have the added worries of arranging and paying for the funeral arrangements. One call to Golden Leaves will be all that is needed they will take care of the rest at any time of night or day.
PROFESSIONAL: Managing Director Barry Floyd (left) and Chairman Steve Rowland guarantee top quality service.
WHEN it comes to helping you, the ethos behind Golden Leaves is quite simple - nothing is too much trouble for them. Back in 1994 it was the first company in Spain to offer funeral plans. With offices up and down the coast they will come to visit you in your own home if required, or will welcome you for a friendly chat on their premises.
Don’t worry - there is no hard sell or pressure, just a cup of tea and a biscuit as they discuss their plans with you. Remember, funeral plans are just like any form of insurance (although their plans are not insurance, simply pre-paid arrangements). You make sure your home, car, pets and even holidays are covered, so why not make a plan to look after your loved ones at a time of
stress. Golden Leaves will look after what can be a difficult bureaucracy in a foreign language. One phone call and everything is taken care of - whatever your religion and preferred funeral arrangements, including repatriation. Golden Leaves will handle it all. Contact Golden Leaves at: Freefone (Spain) 8000 98 309
EWN 55
The roots that led to Golden Leaves GOLDEN LEAVES has been at the forefront of funeral planning services for nearly 35 years - but its roots go back much further than that. The company - which specialises in pre-paid funeral plans - grew from the long established family firm of Rowland Brothers, who have been serving the Croydon, South London, community as funeral directors since 1873. Generations of the firm have worked for Rowland Brothers - and still do, with currently four generations in the family business. They have brought their family values to the community at large too, with Golden Leaves founder Tony Rowland being awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List for services to not just the undertaking industry in Surrey, but to his long history of charitable work. With well over a century of experience this respected company understands the need for empathy, discretion and efficiency - qualities which also serve them well further afield with Rowland Brothers International, which offers repatriation services. They have a strong relationship with the Foreign Office and Consuls in Spain stretching back to the 70’s. With the support of a global team of assistance agents, they can help with the details prior to and after repatriation anywhere in the world They take care of all documentation, collection, delivery and all other details, to help ease the burden when faced with repatriating a loved one home. This experience is something Golden Leaves pre-paid funeral plans draw on to ensure they offer their clients the best service possible, whatever their needs.