Payne & Sons Funeral Directors was established to serve Eastbourne & Hampden Park and the neighbouring communities of East Dean, Pevensey and Polegate.

Rifleman Christopher Howard of 2nd Battalion the Rifles set up Payne & Sons Funeral Directors with parents Donna & Rod Payne in July 2010, just 11 months after being severely injured by an IED whilst on foot patrol in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Now led by Funeral Director Lee Howard, Christopher’s younger brother, said we pride ourselves on ensuring the Funeral meets with all your personal needs and requirements, from the choice of coffin through to your chosen mode of transport.

We will be on hand to assist with all your requirements whenever you need us, our phone line is answered 24 hours a day, by a member of the Payne & Sons Funeral Directors team, we want you to know that whatever the time we will be on hand to help. We undertake all of the arrangements with dignity and personal care, to ensure that all of your family’s individual needs are met.

If you require we can offer a driver to pick you up from your home, register the death at the Eastbourne Register Office in the Town Hall, either taking you to our premises to arrange the Funeral or back to your home. We can also visit you at your own home to make the arrangements if this is more convenient for you.

We’re based on Seaside, Eastbourne & Hampden Park in a former Edwardian cinema opened in 1912. The Eastern Cinema was a popular destination for residents and visitors, before re-opening after the Second World War as the Regal Cinema in 1945. After finally closing as a cinema in 1953 this unique building saw life as a Woolworths store, car showroom, kitchen specialists and tool hire before conversion to its current use.

Our reception area and private arrangement room have been sensitively furnished so you can be assured of a personal and professional discussion with our team.

We are particularly proud of our unique Eastern Hall, a delightful legacy of the original cinema created a century ago. Eastern Hall is a beautifully spacious large room in which conduct a funeral or ‘celebration of life’ service. Equipped with traditional pews the Hall will easily seat 70 or more. It is available as alternative to holding the service of your loved one at the Crematorium, if you want a more personal ‘goodbye’ with music and audio visuals to help tailor the service to your needs. The service can take place in the Eastern Hall at any time that is convenient to you, we will then take your loved one to the crematorium or cemetery.

In May 2018 we were delighted to open our second branch on Brassey Parade, Hampden Park in Eastbourne.

If you require any advice on any aspect of the funeral arrangements please do get in touch.