So it goes
Posted by Vale Have you ever thought what it is to be a King or a Queen? You are, usually, born to it: it is your life and your duty. Our own Queen clearly feels this keenly. As far as a commoner can tell, for her, the coronation oath confirmed what birth had bestowed: she […]
Fire & Water
Posted by John Porter I am an archer. I am a funeral celebrant. The last funeral I facilitated was of Thelma, my archery coach. She used to coach the British archery team many years ago. The chairman of Tonbridge Archers led the tribute and, much to everyone’s surprise (he was renowned for “going on at […]
One better than Webster
Posted by Vale ‘Webster was much possessed by death And saw the skull beneath the skin’ Today 21st century body art offers the opportunity to go one step further and actually put the skull there. It’s called a sub dermal implant and it’s what you can do when a tattoo just doesn’t go far enough. Skulls […]
How To Die In Britain
In just over a week Lord Falconer’s bill on assisted dying will have its second reading in the House of Lords. Opinion seems to be moving in its favour. The British Medical Journal has published an editorial in favour, recognising that increasing numbers of medical people support it. A powerful voice was added at the […]
Locked in memory
Guest post by John Porter I was wandering around the Albert Dock in Liverpool and came across these padlocks locked to the immensely thick chain that guarded the quayside. In fact there were thousands of them! Many had etched inscriptions saying things like “Will love you for ever Simon”, “Never forgotten”, “Made my mark”, “Cheaper than […]
More to it than wearing a hat and making a face
Guest post — At the request of the writer, her name has been withheld for the time being I first became aware of this blog when I was researching the effect of Downton Abbey on British attitudes to what used to be called domestic service. What caught my attention was the theory expressed in this blog that […]
A greener way to embalm?
Guest post by Hatty Stafford Charles of Naturensbalm Embalming is used in a number of circumstances and for a variety of reasons. If the body is to be viewed before or during the funeral, embalming will sometimes be necessary. If the person has died after an accident or debilitating illness, the embalmer can do much […]
Responsibility for your own conduct
By celebrant Wendy Coulton of Dragonfly FuneralsThe Plymouth Herald ran a story recently about a family complaint that the funeral service for their relative was disrupted by the loud and distracting sound of laughter and conversation outside by a large number of people waiting to attend the next funeral. They included senior leading council figures because the […]
Statement by the FBCA
The Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities has received much criticism on this blog in the past week. I have received an assurance from the FCBA Secretary that a response will be forthcoming.
Tradesmen and their tools – another adventure in the life of the vintage lorry hearse
Posted by David Hall Whilst initially many people using Vintage Lorry Funerals were former Lorry Drivers, the recent business expansion has involved individuals from across the whole spectrum of employment and social backgrounds. In fact Lorry Drivers only account for 40% of the current profile, which includes Tradesmen and their Tools. A modern day Joiner, or […]
