Friends arrange ultimate send-off for Star Wars fan
A STAR Wars fanatic was given an out-of-this-world send-off at his funeral – when the funeral director and his undertakers dressed as Darth Vader and his stormtroopers.
Andrew Strachan was only 47 when he died in his sleep and friends and family decided on a sci-fi-themed funeral to pay tribute to him.
The IT worker at Virgin Media from Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, was a keen collector of Star Wars memorabilia and loved nothing more than watching the films.
Funeral director David Young from Young’s Independent Funeral Services in Hamilton dressed as Darth Vader.
As well as donning the infamous robes of the dark sith lord, Mr Young wielded a red light saber at the service.
And Mr Young’s two under- takers were kitted out as Star Wars stormtroopers.
Friends and family dressed in T-shirts emblazoned with some of the blockbusters’ most iconic characters.
Meanwhile, the soundtrack from the series was played at Andrew’s service at South Lanarkshire Crematorium in Blantyre earlier this month.
Andrew’s partner Sylvia Hoey, 50, said he would have loved the ceremony.
She said: “He was a really kind-heated man. He was more than a Star Wars fan and had so many friends that loved him for so many other reasons. “Andrew loved Star Wars. “He collected memorabilia and we watched the movies regularly. We were even going to go to London for the Star Wars conference.
“The idea for his funeral came about mutually with myself and his friends and family.
“This is a thing Andrew would have loved in life, and I’m sure he would have loved it in death.”
Mr Young said: “A funeral service should always focus on the person who has passed, while considering the wishes of those close to them, who are left to make funeral arrangements.
“In life, our loves and interests are as individual to us as we are as people.
“A funeral director’s job is to listen, understand and ultimately direct a funeral service that reflects that person’s life.
“It is a rare privilege to assist families during such a difficult point, and we feel very honoured to have conducted Mr Strachan’s funeral service in the way he would have wanted.”