1. Scope
All data subjects whose personal data is collected, in line with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
2. Responsibilities
2.1 N.E. Downing (Blackheath) Ltd. is responsible for ensuring that this notice is made available to data subjects prior to collecting or processing their personal data.
2.2 All employees who interact with data subjects are responsible for ensuring that this notice is drawn to the data subject’s attention and that their consent to the processing of data is secured.
3. Privacy Notice
3.1 Who We Are
N.E. Downing (Blackheath) Ltd. is a family-run, independent Funeral Directors.
Head Office: 68–72 Mount Pleasant, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 2YS
Company Number: 785381
We also trade under the names J.T. Brookes & Co., J.R. Jones & Co., Dainty & Downing, and T. Hadley & Co.
Personal Data We Collect:
Name, address, telephone number, and email address — held on our arrangement sheet and/or Funeral Manager software.
Purpose of Collection:
For the fulfilment of your funeral service.
Legal Basis for Processing:
For the fulfilment of your funeral service.
Legitimate Interests:
Minister or civil celebrant taking the funeral service
Crematorium, cemetery, or church involved in the funeral
Florist producing floral tributes
Printers for the order of service
GP completing legal paperwork for cremation
Special Categories of Data:
Religious beliefs
3.2 Consent
By consenting to this privacy notice, you give N.E. Downing (Blackheath) Ltd. permission to process your personal data for the purposes identified.
Consent must be explicitly given and can be withdrawn at any time by contacting us to update your preferences.
3.3 Disclosure
We will not pass on your personal data to third parties without first obtaining your consent.
The following parties may receive data for the following purposes:
Local crematorium – to arrange cremation
Local cemetery – to arrange burial
Nominated minister/celebrant – to plan funeral details
Local musician – to coordinate music for the service
3.4 Retention Period
N.E. Downing (Blackheath) Ltd. will retain personal data for as long as necessary to fulfil funeral services and may store data indefinitely.
3.5 Your Rights as a Data Subject
You have the right to:
Access your personal data
Request rectification of inaccurate or incomplete data
Request erasure (“right to be forgotten”)
Restrict processing where applicable
Request portability of your data
Object to processing (including direct marketing)
Object to automated decision-making or profiling
Request judicial review if your rights are refused
All relevant requests will be forwarded to any third party involved in the processing of your data.
3.6 Complaints
If you wish to make a complaint about how your data is processed or how your complaint has been handled, you may contact either:
Supervisory Authority – Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF
https://ico.org.uk/global/contact-us/email/
Telephone: 0303 123 1113
N.E. Downing (Blackheath) Ltd.
68 Mount Pleasant, Quarry Bank, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 2YS
Contacts: William Downing / Lucy Griffiths
Email: william@nedowning.co.uk
Telephone: 01384 77098
Online Privacy Statement
Personal Data Definition
Under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), personal data is defined as:
“Any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (‘data subject’)… identifiable by reference to an identifier such as a name, ID number, location data, or one or more factors specific to their identity.”
How We Use Your Information
This privacy notice explains how N.E. Downing (Blackheath) Ltd. collects and uses your personal data for service provision, cookies, and complaints.
Why We Collect Personal Data
We collect data to provide funeral services, fulfil contractual obligations, and manage related correspondence.
We are committed to collecting only what is necessary and ensuring your privacy is protected.
Separate consent will be obtained for any marketing communications.
Sharing Your Data
We may share your personal data with trusted third-party service providers who help us deliver our services.
All third parties are contractually obliged to keep your information secure and use it only for the purposes specified.
Sensitive personal data will only be shared with your explicit consent, unless required by law.
How We Process and Store Data
N.E. Downing (Blackheath) Ltd. processes and stores your information in compliance with GDPR requirements.
We aim to keep your data accurate, up-to-date, and no longer than necessary. Some records may be retained for legal, tax, or audit purposes.
We are committed to protecting your data through secure handling procedures and safeguarding against unauthorised access or disclosure.
Accessing Your Personal Data
You may request confirmation of the personal data we hold about you and how it is processed.
If we hold your data, you are entitled to know:
