Fridges & Funeral Horses
“Come see my Daddy’s shop,” exclaimed Aoife, aged five and dressed in the loveliest summer dress, as she pulled her little friends through the front door and headed straight for the embalming room.
It was Access All Areas today for the launch of Don O’Dwyer’s lovely new funeral home in Acton, West London. We had accredited O’Dwyer Funeral Directors as one of only six funeral directors in London with the official GFG seal of approval before he’d even officially launched.
“There’s absolutely nothing to hide here,” Don told me, as curious members of the community had a look around his new funeral premises, taking a peek inside the (brand new and empty!) fridge as they enjoyed coffee, cake and champagne and chatted to Don’s family.
The ever lovely funeral horses put in an appearance, as did local MP Rupa Huq, who was shocked to discover that the UK funeral industry is entirely unregulated, but was pleased to hear that the Good Funeral Guide is hard at work telling the public about the the good guys like Don. One of the two Chapels of Rest was blessed by the local Catholic priest, and celebrant and funeral director Rob from Crumpton Rudd funerals conducted a mini service, funeral style, to celebrate.
In other news…
There hasn’t been much, if any, good news from the world of crematoria recently. Back in July, we exposed the appalling state of West London Crematorium. We’re still awaiting comment from the General Cemetery Company, who have yet to get out the hoover and clean up the mess, according to our well-placed sources.
We’ve also had a run-in with a crematorium who refused to allow mourners their choice of music during an early morning contract funeral. ‘Crem choice’ seems to mean no choice in a certain borough just west of London.
So it’s been refreshing to see a spirit of friendliness, openness and transparency being embraced at Mortlake Crematorium. It’s undergoing a spring clean and a lick of paint in preparation for taking part in Open House London in September. Superintendent Natasha Bradshaw promises it will be Access All Areas for members of the public to not only enjoy the 1930s art deco building, but also to see what happens behind that mysterious curtain.
It’s wonderful to see the good guys of the funeral industry like O Dwyer’s Don and Mortlake’s Superintendent Natasha Bradshaw embracing openness and transparency and welcoming the often sceptical public through their doors.
There’s nothing to hide, after all.
