The many lessons to be learned from Mortonhall
The report into the Mortonhall ashes scandal was released yesterday. To refresh your memory: from 1967 until 2011 parents of babies who had died antenatally or perinatally in Edinburgh were informed, on the authority of Mortonhall crematorium, that there would be no ashes after cremation. All the while (since 1934, actually) two privately-owned Edinburgh crematoria, Seafield and Wariston, […]
Say hello to the new normal
Bastards. That’s what we used to call them. Next, illegitimate. We don’t call children born out of wedlock anything any more because we don’t feel we need to make a distinction. Britain would be awash with bastards today if we still used the word because 4 out of 10 children are raised by unmarried parents. Happily the […]
In court today, the talented Mr Sage
At Blackfriars Crown Court today: Anyone there? All reports welcome.
The NFFD clarifies its position
NOTE: Views or opinions presented in this blog post are those of the NFFD and should not be construed as being the views or opinions of the GFG. What follows is a response to comments made on this blog post. We would like to extend our gratitude to all commentators for showing such a keen interest in […]
Just checking
In the good old days, death happened before we were ready for it. It struck untimely. Now, it creeps up, perhaps getting to us long after we have timed out. Which raises the question: when is a timely death? Journalist Matthew Parris is not alone in contemplating old age with trepidation. In a recent article he asked […]
New trade assoc sides with consumers
The National Federation of Funeral Directors, “a professional, self-regulated body, committed to increasing consumer choice and cost transparency within the funeral industry,” has become very active lately. It has launched Funeral Directors Register, which claims to be “the UK’s only comprehensive funeral care resource … a single point of reference for consumers seeking funeral directors reviews, reputable, qualified, […]
ARKA’s Dying Matters event
Dead loss
The Co-op’s stated aims To be a commercially successful business To meet the needs of our customers and the communities we serve* To respond to our members and share our profits To be an ethical leader To be an exemplary employer To inspire others through co-operation Co-operative Group results 2013 Overall loss: £2.3 billion Funeralcare sales […]
The gravestones are laughing
In Winwick Churchyard by Josh Ekroy The gravestones are laughing. They tilt at each other’s shoulders, droll tears of lichen blotching their honourable faces. Seated in uneven rows in their auditorium they note church-goers squinch the gravel path to the embossed door. Some lean backwards in mock amazement, others forward, study the half-mown grass or […]
Making the best
From Being Dead Is No Excuse: Southern women always want to look their best — even if they happen to be dead. Our local undertaker, Bubba Boone, understands this. We brag that Bubba can make you look better than a plastic surgeon can, though, unfortunately, you do have to be dead to avail yourself of […]
