Thoughts of a funeral-goer
By Lyra Mollington On Sunday I woke up feeling out of sorts and very parched. With this humid and unsettled weather, viruses will be having a field day. In these situations, I find the best course of action is complete rest and lots of green tea (Yutaka Midori – ordered online from Japan). I stayed in […]
Final lap for Luke
The Rev Paul Sinclair takes Luke Leary for a last spin at Brands Hatch, at speed, before Luke’s funeral. Luke, 24, was killed in an accident. According to KentOnline: Around 50 machines and at least the same number of cars lined up at the entrance to Brands Hatch as 24-year-old Luke Leary’s coffin was brought […]
You know my methods, Watson.
David Holmes, funeral director to the discerning folk of Surrey, recently got into a waterfight with the water board. Click on the photo to bring it up to full size.
Briefest of Lives
Here is the entire brief life of Dr Richard Stokes: Scholar to Sir William Oughtred for Mathematiques (Algebra). Made himself mad with it, but became sober again, but I feare like a crackt glasse. Became Roman Catholique. Married unhappily at Liège, dog and catt, etc. Became a sotte. Dyed in Newgate, prisoner for debt, April […]
RIP Eric Sykes
“For me there’s a daffodil in every dustbin.” Eric Sykes, who died today.
The Undertaker
The midnight hour, the darkest hour That human grief may know, Sends forth it’s hurried summons- Ask me to come—I go! I know not when the bell may toll, I know not where the blow may fall, I only know that I must go In answer to the call. Perhaps a friend—perhaps unknown- ‘Tis fate […]
What the faith?
Posted by Reverend Noel Lockyer-Stevens, One Spirit Interfaith Minister Ed’s note: Noel is writing in response to Richard Rawlinson’s challenging post here. The undertaking of a funeral service is for me one of the most privileged roles I undertake within my ministry in Dorset. I am sure that every minister, ordinand and priest feels the […]
What Is Left
What is Left is a participatory portraiture project being made by Leeds-based artist Ellie Harrison, photographer Roshana Rubin Mayhew and 50 members of the public. Working with individuals, community groups and bereavement charities, Ellie and Roshana wil generate 50 portraits with corresponding texts in collaboration with participants. Photographed in their own homes with objects they […]
Passion and compassion
A guest post by Caroline Doughty Hello everybody! It’s been a while since I updated my blog and my wonderful friend and celebrant teacher has inspired me with her own thought-provoking blog post, to share my experiences so far in my work as an Independent Celebrant in regards to Funeral Services. So…where do I begin??? […]
Wrongun
Extracts from a story in Metro, 2 July 2012: Beverley Webb and Michelle Blakesley said the way Co-Op Funeralcare handled Gloria Roper’s service was ‘shambolic’ after one worker said: ‘We’ve brought out our 4.15pm instead.’ The coffin was about to pass through the curtains at the crematorium when the family noticed it was a different […]