AS part of their commitment to provide a high level of service, local independent family run funeral directors Lyndsay Ellis at The Vale Funeral Service now has its own independent service chapel located on Windsor Road, Barry.

This means they are now able to offer an alternative funeral ceremony for people of any or no religious faiths. The move marks a growing appetite for non religious and more personal funerals.

Lyndsay Ellis principal said: "Everyone is entitled to a personal and special funeral, many people don't have a traditional faith and our service chapel gives them more choice. It can also be used also for religious services .

There is now more choice in funeral planning than ever. When I started oak coffins were standard, now as well as wood they can be made of willow, bamboo or colourful bespoke coffins and people have much more influence over the content of their services. Now we are going a step further with being able to offer extra choice over venues."

The new chapel will host up to 350 people and services can be conducted by religious leaders or humanist celebrants.