The only way is Ethics?
The Co-operative — What Makes Us Different “I sometimes wonder if the greatest institutional problem of our time is not plain, unvarnished evil, but this obsession with Ethics as an outward form, with compliance rather than conscience. The whole idea of an Ethical business, as distinct from a normal one which behaves ethically, is […]
It’s legal to care for your own
Kimberlyrenee Gamboa’s son Kyle took his own life by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge in September, three weeks into his senior year in high school. A seemingly happy 18-year-old with lots of friends and into competitive lasertag, Kyle’s death was such a shock, his mother said, she doesn’t know how she’d have managed it […]
Carry the coffin, it’ll help you carry on
The Coffinmaker from Dan McComb on Vimeo. “I think one of the most important aspects of the coffin is that it can be carried. And I think we’re meant to carry each other, and I think carrying someone you love, committing them, is very important for us that we deal with death; we want to […]
Funeral Flowers
Posted by Richard Rawlinson Paul Flowers was a successful man: chairman of Co-operative Bank, Labour councillor and Methodist minister. He’s now shunned by all three pillars of the establishment—business, politics and church—after his penchant for taking crystal meth with male prostitutes hit the headlines. When Flowers first hooked up with Manchester Lads escort Ciaron Dodd, he […]
Winter warmers
The winter cold is beginning to nip your ears and gnaw your toes. Time to order some of Yuli Somme’s Foot Felts — incredibly warm, snug insoles for your shoes or boots. Here at the GFG-Batesville Shard, where austerity measures forbid us from turning on the heat until evening, we swear by them. Honestly, they’re […]
Why the shambles at the Co-op is so serious
“One version of the “better” that mutuals have to be is that they have to be seen by customers to be more “decent” than other businesses – because that provides a motive for some consumers to spend their money with them. And the second version of the better is that they have to be conspicuously […]
Dining with the dead
In many Western countries graveyards are seen as sinister or even frightening but not so in the former Soviet Republic of Georgia. As with other eastern Orthodox countries, it is common for Georgians to honour their deceased relatives by taking food and wine to cemeteries, and having feasts beside the graves. Although practised thoughout the […]
The last word in bucket lists
It was nice to have Ann Treneman write for us last week about the vital importance of specifying where you want your dust or ash to repose. But I’m afraid I’ve got a big problem with her book, Finding the Plot: 100 Graves to Visit Before You Die. Dang it, you pick it up for a gentle browse and […]
Don’t Let Go
Posted by Kitty I’ve just watched a 3D film at the cinema. Yes! On a weekday morning. The film was Gravity. Despite its minimal dialogue, it covers topics such as courage, mortality, bereavement and survival. I made the mistake of taking my other half. He completely spoiled the drive home. When all I wanted to do […]
Never say die
The Falconer Bill on assisted dying is making its way through the Lords before going on to the Commons, and the familiar debate rages once more. The usual suspects oppose it. They include senior doctors and lawyers and, you probably think, a lot of religious people, yes? And disabled people? Actually, the stats show support […]
