There has to be dignity in death
Lynne Watson, a celebrant, has brought to our attention a powerful and poignant article in the Daily Mail. Thank you, Lynne. It’s about a doctor, Kate Granger, who is 29 and dying of cancer, has said no to any more chemotherapy. Here are some extracts to give you a taste: As a doctor, I am very […]
Death by Christmas shopping
Posted by Richard Rawlinson There was a time when the skull and crossbones symbolised ‘Danger’ when displayed on poisonous products or worn on the clothes of Punks, Goths, Hell’s Angels, pirates and SS soldiers. For some years now, it’s been a ubiquitous part of mainstream fashion, found on everything from Debenhams babywear to John Lewis cushion […]
Threnody: a progress report
Posted by Tim Clark Threnody is a group of people mostly drawn from the ranks of Bangor Community Choir. We are ready to sing at funerals in places that don’t normally have choral singing, particularly at crematoria. Charles has already been kind enough to feature us here, and I felt it might be time for an […]
Where’s the joy in death?
Posted by Kristie West The following is a transcript of the talk Kristie delivered at the Joy of Death convention, 2012. Kristie works with bereaved people. You can find her website here. “The Joy of Death” festival. What is that? Is it just a lovely quirky name for a festival. Or perhaps just a provocative and […]
Dead Good Culture?
Posted by Simon Smith What is affecting practices in the funeral industry and how can we improve them? There has been a deluge of bad publicity for the funeral industry in recent weeks with the two programmes, Dispatches on Channel 4 and Exposure on ITV1. This was at least partly offset by the positive view […]
Trade association carrots and sticks
Posted by Richard Rawlinson The annual subscription renewal request has arrived in my in-tray for the media association to which my publishing company employer belongs. What do we get for the membership fee? Aside from a glitzy awards ceremony and occasional parties enabling us to ‘network’ with amicable rivals, the association aims to support by giving […]
A date for your diary
The Natural Death Centre Charity proudly presents The NDC Death Café 2.30pm – 5.30pm Sunday, 4th November London NW2 6AA (Willesden Green underground station) A fundraising event celebrating the 21st birthday of the Natural Death Centre This Death Café will be held at the former office of the Natural Death Centre and home of its […]
A syphilitic blister on the face of funeral service
Dear Mr Greenfield, This has been a horrible week for you. Or has it? You will have by now appraised your reputational vulnerability, conducted a jeopardy assessment and learned how many people watched The British Way of Death. Taking heart from the recovery of Co-operative Funeralcare, you may be reckoning your best move is to […]
Thoughts of a funeral-goer
Just over a week ago Daisy asked me to go with her to visit her neighbour John so we could help with the arrangements for his wife’s funeral. Barely had we stepped across the threshold when Daisy disappeared down the hall with a cheery, ‘I’ll make us a nice cup of tea shall I?’ I […]
Statement from Phillip Greenfield Funeral Partners
Phillip Greenfield, Chief Executive of Funeral Partners and owners of Gillman’s Funeral Directors who featured in last night’s Exposure programme of ‘The British Way of Death’ has made a video statement of the company’s response to the revelations. The full text of what he says can be found on the Funeral Partners website here. Two […]
