Thinking About A Revolution

A question: Would you like your funeral in a church or at a crematorium? If you have a strong faith the answer will be obvious. But the number of weekly worshippers in the UK now stands at 12% and falling. So that leaves an awful lot of people - 88% - who are maybe less sure.

If I told you that the funeral service didn't have to be in either - that it could be conducted at home in the garden, at the golf club, in a farmers field in a marquee, would that change your mind? There is no legal constraint in the UK, other than you must have the permission of the person who owns the space.
So don't assume that it is acceptable to turn up at the local council park - it's not... but there are a great many beautiful spaces that could be used.

This summer I felt very lucky to be asked to conduct a ceremony at Midford Burial ground, just outside Bath. It is open meadow and will be kept as such, a place for cattle to graze. So no headstones, no grave decorations. Just the most beautiful view, the sound of birds singing and the warmth of the sun on our faces as we sang, spoke and reflected our goodbyes. It was exactly right and perfect for the person.

But it was only possible because of the conversations that had gone before the death. When a grieving family are faced with organising a funeral, it really is asking too much for them to consider something different to the norm.

So my challenge to you is this: Have you decided how you would like your funeral to be? The music choices, maybe who you would like to speak, the poems that capture the essence of your life so perfectly? If you have, share it with someone close and if not, maybe this is the moment.

I'm not a medical man, but my understanding is that talking about death won't make it happen any quicker - but if it helps, you could whisper your thoughts to your partner...if you do it really quietly you should be fine.

And for those of you thinking 'Oh, just put me in a cardboard coffin', bear in mind they are more expensive than wooden coffins - is that what you want?

"Its good to talk" is a theme I'll return to again. In the meantime, feel free to pose a question...

Today I have been mostly pondering the meaning of life & revisiting the play list for my own funeral (no date set - its on my 'To Do' list - I'll get to it eventually).