A Different Ending is launched

A stonemason who lost his dad to cancer is helping people cope with grief by launching an innovative memorial service.

Torquil Johnston-Smith, 36, was devastated by the loss of his father, Iain.

One of his biggest fears was that his father’s memory would be lost.

Earlier this year The Advertiser spoke to Torquil and learned how he has found a way to ensure Iain’s memory will live on and to help other people do the same for their loved ones.

Now A Different Ending has been launched, a way to preserve sacred memories of people’s lives forever.

The website is linked to a small steel plaque with a QR code which can be fixed to a gravestone, urn, memorial bench, tree, or even kept as a digital memorial without a physical marker.

When that code is scanned, it takes the reader to a memorial page telling the life story of that person.

Torquil said: “It is really touching to help so many families. This, for me, is what I want to do now.

“I feel as if I have got a purpose in life, I can help people.”

The Alloa man grew up in Arrochar and carried out his stonemason apprenticeship with Historic Scotland in Lochgilphead. It was during those years that he became an honorary Lochgilphead local.

He added: “These pages are not just about remembering the past; they are about celebrating the rich tales that each life tells, from joyful moments to everyday smiles.”

Since launching A Different Ending, he has started providing memorial pages for pets too, which he has found particularly helps families with children to cope with the loss of a cherished pet.

His interest in history, people and gravestones has also led to him restoring historic graves recently.

Torquil’s mission is to tell as many people’s stories as possible.

Follow A Different Ending on TikTok to learn what he has uncovered.