What Is Left
What is Left is a participatory portraiture project being made by Leeds-based artist Ellie Harrison, photographer Roshana Rubin Mayhew and 50 members of the public. Working with individuals, community groups and bereavement charities, Ellie and Roshana wil generate 50 portraits with corresponding texts in collaboration with participants. Photographed in their own homes with objects they […]
Passion and compassion
A guest post by Caroline Doughty Hello everybody! It’s been a while since I updated my blog and my wonderful friend and celebrant teacher has inspired me with her own thought-provoking blog post, to share my experiences so far in my work as an Independent Celebrant in regards to Funeral Services. So…where do I begin??? […]
Wrongun
Extracts from a story in Metro, 2 July 2012: Beverley Webb and Michelle Blakesley said the way Co-Op Funeralcare handled Gloria Roper’s service was ‘shambolic’ after one worker said: ‘We’ve brought out our 4.15pm instead.’ The coffin was about to pass through the curtains at the crematorium when the family noticed it was a different […]
Funrealrace
A couple of days ago Paul Hensby at My Last Song sent the following query to Co-operative Funeralcare: “Would you consider advising families to research the growing number of cheaper and eco-friendly alternatives to wood-based coffins? Are you anticipating a growing demand for more individual farewell ceremonies and if so how are you training your […]
Another Co-op distancing statment
‘TAMWORTH Co-op has spoken out to reassure people that its funeral services are a ‘million miles’ from the disturbing images depicted in an undercover Channel 4 investigation. Julian Coles, chief executive of the Tamworth Co-op, says “We are an entirely independent, comparatively small and traditional Co-operative, operating from several funeral premises in the area we serve.”‘ How they […]
No Zil lanes for the dead
The Olympics are going to create a headache for funeral directors and the bereaved in a country where getting to the crem on time is crucial to the smooth running of a crematorium. Some funeral directors are already in despair. According to the Daily Star: Moona Taslim of Muslim funeral home Haji Taslim, which sits […]
The vital importance of being embalmed
“Contrary to popular belief, embalming a body is not required by law. However, every funeral home requires it for an open casket service. Otherwise, there will be odors and the body may look grotesque for viewing, which affects a funeral home’s reputation.“ Source
Sick ghouls
Two callous thieves who snatched floral wreaths from a crematorium so they could use them for free at a family funeral have been fined £35 each. Full story in the, you guessed it, Mail here.
Camref – the Campaign for Real Funerals
The departing board chairman of Golden Charter funeral plans offers this cold sweat-inducing warning to independent funeral directors in a valedictory address in the Golden Charter newsletter, Goldenews, which we are grateful to have had forwarded to us. He says: Co-op and Dignity have both acquired significant additional scale, and unquestionably they are operating with a […]
Picturing Hell – in Lego bricks
Posted by Vale We all wonder about what might happen to us when we die. Well, Dante had the lowdown. While the rest of us wander lost in the woods, he described Hell, Purgatory and Heaven in great detail. The funny thing is that while we might hope for heaven, we all have the sneaking […]
