PROFESSIONAL To provide a funeral service that is personal to your loved one I have been in the funeral profession for nearly 40 years and funeral services have changed tremendously in that time.
Most local crematoria now have the ability show a selection of photos either throughout, or at various points during the service. The photos can be a pictorial way of showing a life story starting form very early years through to more recent images. We can also display a single photo of the deceased, or the deceased and their family throughout the service should the family wish.
Many years ago, it was accepted that usually, the service was taken by a local minister of religion, or on rare occasions, by a member of the humanist society. Tim at Wickham However, a majority of services are now referred to as a celebration of life, which can be religious or nonreligious as the family wish. Within a celebration of life service, the family can take more of an active role, often leading a tribute, reading a poem or reciting a bible verse themselves. This in itself personalises the service to the deceased, with them often being referred to by their nickname or character name. I personally, have lost a very close friend recently, and whilst arranging the service with his family, I referred to him by his nickname, a name that was used by all who knew him. Music has also changed over the years. I can recall that when I first started working in the funeral business, it was assumed that a hymn or piece of classical music would be played during the various parts of the service. This again, has changed. We can now arrange anything from Mozart to Frank Sinatra, from Electric Light Orchestra to Monty Python. Again, music is a very important, and indeed emotive, way of personalising the service to your loved one.
All of the above personalises a service to the most important person, on the day - the deceased. Stories can be told producing smiles and tears just as they would in the person’s life. This allows the family to celebrate their life, to acknowledge their love and to know that the service was truly dedicated to that one particular person. Charley at Wickham
These thoughts are purely from the author, Mr Paul M Lee-Bapty, Dip FD Affil RSH, Managing Director South Downs Funeral Service of Denmead, Wickham & Clanfield
For more information visit: southdownsfuneralservice.com
South Downs Funeral Service Your local, independent and family owned funeral homes of Denmead, Wickham and Clanfield 24 hour, local and personal service • Floristry service • Stonemasonry service • No deposits required
Managing and Principle Funeral Director: Mr Paul M Lee-Bapty DIP FD AFFIL RSH
Clanfield Funeral Home Tel: 02392 570239 43 Drift Road, Clanfield, PO8 0JS
Denmead Funeral Home Tel: 02392 231567
The Old Post Office House, Hambledon Road, Denmead, PO7 6NN
Wickham Funeral Home Tel: 01329 833920
clanfield@southdownsfuneralservice.com
care@southdownsfuneralservice.com
wickham@southdownsfuneralservice.com
www.southdownsfuneralservice.com
24
13 The Square, Wickham, PO17 5JG
