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.

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. 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. 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.

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.

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

Tim at Wickham

Charley at Wickham

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 clanfield@southdownsfuneralservice.com Denmead Funeral Home Tel: 02392 231567

The Old Post Office House, Hambledon Road, Denmead, PO7 6NN care@southdownsfuneralservice.com Wickham Funeral Home Tel: 01329 833920

13 The Square, Wickham, PO17 5JG wickham@southdownsfuneralservice.com

www.southdownsfuneralservice.com

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Outdoor events in July

The Merry Wives of Windsor at West Meon Theatre

West Meon Theatre are really looking forward to presenting their postponed production of The Merry Wives of Windsor this July on the West Meon Cricket Ground, in the open air and with enough room for social distancing.

The performance will take place in an open sided stretch tent covering the stage and some of the audience. Bring your own chairs and rugs and picnicking is available for those who wish. The Thomas Lord will be offering Pre Theatre Suppers as well as pre ordered picnic hampers.

The West Meon Sports Club will run the bar and free car parking is available in the Village Hall car park. This production of The Merry Wives of Windsor, set in the 1950’s, follows the exploits of Sir John Falstaff in his ill-advised attempt to seduce two married women! This leaves Sir John Falstaff in a heap of trouble. What follows is mischief, confusion, and ridiculous practical jokes; one of the most frenetic and hilarious of Shakespeare's comedies. The fifties, an era of optimism, colourful fashion, teddy boys and the music of Buddy Holly, the Everly Brothers and Eddie Cochran and many more……. what’s not to like!

The production is directed by Mary Dawson For tickets and updates go to www.westmeontheatre.co.uk

HMS Pinafore at Wintershill Hall, Durley

Set on board the warship HMS Pinafore, the opera cheerfully mocks such Great British institutions as Class, Patriotism and the Royal Navy. Josephine the captain's daughter is in love with Ralph a common sailor, but her father wants her to marry Sir Joseph Porter, First Lord of the Admiralty. The couple are caught as they elope from the ship and Ralph is locked in the ship's dungeon. Only when certain revelations are made by Buttercup, a dockside vendor, can everyone end up freely marrying their true hearts' loves. This wonderful comic opera gets the complete Illyria treatment, faithfully performed by a reduced cast on a beautiful nautical set.

Running time: 2 hours (including a 20 minute interval) Please bring your own seating/rug, warm clothes and picnic. All proceeds to The Friends of Holy Cross Church, Durley (Charity No 1047813) to support the Church Roof restoration.

Attendees are required to follow all UK government guidelines to reduce the spread Covid-19, including social distancing, face coverings and hand-washing. Please check the latest guidance at: www.gov.uk/coronavirus.

Doors Open at 6:00pm, Starts at 7:30pm - Wintershill Hall, Hampshire, SO32 2AL - Fri 23rd July 2021 50+ tickets available - Price £10.00 - £15.00* *booking fee applies

The Further Adventures of Doctor Dolittle at Manor Farm, Botley

Following the phenomenal success of 2018's tour of The Adventures of Doctor Dolittle, we're delving back into Hugh Lofting's amazing stories to bring you a brand-new musical adaptation of the Doctor's FURTHER adventures with Jip the Dog, Dab Dab the Duck, Gub Gub the Pig, Polynesia the Parrot. Where in the world will they go? Will they even stay on this world?! Which new animals will they help along the way? Will the Rats still have pithy observations to make? Is Gub Gub still dreaming about cake? • As in our 2018 production, The FURTHER Adventures of

Doctor Dolittle features a fully orchestrated score, amazing puppets and a plethora of songs that our audiences will be singing along to for years to come, thanks to our cast-recording CDs. • Perfect summer fun for everyone aged 5+. • Running time: 1 hour 40 minutes (including a 20 minute interval) Attendees are required to follow all UK government guidelines to reduce the spread Covid-19, including social distancing, face coverings and hand-washing. Please check the latest guidance at: www.gov.uk/coronavirus. Doors Open at 5:00pm, Starts at 6:00pm - Location Manor Farm, Southampton, SO31 1BH - Wed 28th July 2021 50+ tickets available - Price £10.00 - £15.00* *booking fee applies