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 […]
Crem says no
Up at Sunderland crem there’s a book where you can write little messages to whoever you’ve come to visit. Isn’t that great? Linda Johnson has been popping in and writing little messages to her mum for the last eight years — and to her dad since Christmas. As she says, not everyone can stretch to flowers, […]
About time too?
Lord Bonomy’s exasperation with the NHS, cremation authorities and funeral directors, whose ill-informed advice and guidance led so many thousands of parents of babies who had died to suppose that there would be no ashes after cremation, caused him to recommend the establishment of an inspectorate of crematoria: Scottish Ministers should appoint an independent Inspector to monitor working practices […]
Tim Morris of the ICCM on the baby ashes scandal
We are pleased this morning to publish the responses of Tim Morris, Chief Executive of the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management to four questions we emailed him last weekend concerning the recommendations of the Bonomy Report which was set up in the aftermath of the Mortonhall Investigation Report. We are extremely grateful to him for taking […]
