The GFG Blog
2014Jul
Fire & Water
Charles
Jul
16
8 comments
Posted by John Porter I am an archer. I am a funeral celebrant. The last funeral I facilitated was of Thelma, my archery coach. She used to coach the British archery team many years ago. The chairman of Tonbridge Archers led the tribute and, much to everyone’s surprise (he was
One better than Webster
Charles
Jul
15
3 comments
Posted by Vale ‘Webster was much possessed by death And saw the skull beneath the skin’ Today 21st century body art offers the opportunity to go one step further and actually put the skull there. It’s called a sub dermal implant and it’s what you can do when a tattoo
How To Die In Britain
Charles
Jul
14
3 comments
In just over a week Lord Falconer’s bill on assisted dying will have its second reading in the House of Lords. Opinion seems to be moving in its favour. The British Medical Journal has published an editorial in favour, recognising that increasing numbers of medical people support it. A powerful
Locked in memory
Charles
Jul
11
6 comments
Guest post by John Porter I was wandering around the Albert Dock in Liverpool and came across these padlocks locked to the immensely thick chain that guarded the quayside. In fact there were thousands of them! Many had etched inscriptions saying things like “Will love you for ever Simon”, “Never forgotten”,
More to it than wearing a hat and making a face
Charles
Jul
10
13 comments
Guest post — At the request of the writer, her name has been withheld for the time being I first became aware of this blog when I was researching the effect of Downton Abbey on British attitudes to what used to be called domestic service. What caught my attention was the theory
A greener way to embalm?
Charles
Jul
09
No Comments
Guest post by Hatty Stafford Charles of Naturensbalm Embalming is used in a number of circumstances and for a variety of reasons. If the body is to be viewed before or during the funeral, embalming will sometimes be necessary. If the person has died after an accident or debilitating illness,
Responsibility for your own conduct
Charles
Jul
08
2 comments
By celebrant Wendy Coulton of Dragonfly FuneralsThe Plymouth Herald ran a story recently about a family complaint that the funeral service for their relative was disrupted by the loud and distracting sound of laughter and conversation outside by a large number of people waiting to attend the next funeral. They included senior
Statement by the FBCA
Charles
Jul
08
No Comments
The Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities has received much criticism on this blog in the past week. I have received an assurance from the FCBA Secretary that a response will be forthcoming.
Tradesmen and their tools – another adventure in the life of the vintage lorry hearse
Charles
Jul
07
2 comments
Posted by David Hall Whilst initially many people using Vintage Lorry Funerals were former Lorry Drivers, the recent business expansion has involved individuals from across the whole spectrum of employment and social backgrounds. In fact Lorry Drivers only account for 40% of the current profile, which includes Tradesmen and their Tools.
Crem says no
Charles
Jul
04
4 comments
Up at Sunderland crem there’s a book where you can write little messages to whoever you’ve come to visit. Isn’t that great? Linda Johnson has been popping in and writing little messages to her mum for the last eight years — and to her dad since Christmas. As she says,
