Today’s mystery object
They’re key fobs. Available here.
Shoot thy neighbour
In the US, The Onion mischievously reports: NEWTOWN, CT—As the nation continues to mourn the women and children who lost their lives in last month’s shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, the National Rifle Association has reportedly joined the outpouring of support for families of victims by sending each household a bereavement gun basket. “On behalf […]
Let’s hear it for the mui fa koon choy
Sad news here from the New Straits Times: THE traditional Chinese coffin is not a popular option for funerals anymore mainly due to its daunting size and medieval shape. New Cham Fei Casket operator, Cham Swee Hung, 36, said the demand for mui fa koon choy, which in Chinese means plum blossom flower has dropped […]
Chaos theory
“A contemporary theologian has described mercy as “entering into the chaos of another.” [Source] Is there a better definition of what those who work for the bereaved do?
Inconsolable dog
From yesterday’s Telegraph, one of those faithful-beyond-death dogs you like so much: Ciccio, a 12-year-old German shepherd, waits in vain in front of the altar of the Santa Maria Assunta church in the village of San Donaci in the southern region of Puglia. He heads to the church as soon as the bells begin to […]
Adventures in Funeralworld
2. Experiences of a coffineer What’s in a name? Before I start this piece I should just say (and I think it’s completely appropriate given the subject of this particular post) that this post was very, very close to being titled “The experiences of a confiner”. Not because I thought this was a particularly good title or […]
Walker family history
A feature of family undertakers’ websites is the inordinate amount of space given to dynastic history replete with sepia photos of bowlegged ancestors swathed in fog walking fierce-eyed so far as you can see in front of a Humber Bumble (or whatever). Good breeding isn’t something we necessarily defer to any more, neither, in a […]
Way To Go
From the Daily Mail, an emollient newspaper for those who like to keep their blood pressure low: The BBC came under fire today for a new sitcom which makes light of assisted suicide. A new series starring Blake Harrison, of the Inbetweeners, tells the story of three young men who build a suicide machine and […]
Tea, cakes, death and a movie
The Natural Death Centre Charity proudly presents: The NDC Death Café Film Event 2.30pm – 5pm Sunday 24 February 2013 London NW2 6AA (near Willesden Green underground station) Suggested donation : £5 As part of this Death Café, young documentary filmmaker Olivia Humphreys will show her 20 minute film ‘Noctuaries’. Josefine Speyer, psychotherapist and […]
Death lit
The Natural Death Centre now has its own online e-magazine. Aimed at consumers, it has features which will also interest funeral directors and celebrants. There’s a straight-talking feature about natural burial, an analysis of the rise of direct cremation, some radical talk about open-air cremation, a caveat emptor article for funeral shoppers by Jon Underwood, the […]
