Loved a sing-along
Doris in Blackpool with her two children, Iain and Lynn, when they were young
rep in her working life “and worked hard to make sure everyone got a fair deal”, Lynn adds.
When Doris and her sisters’ children were young, family birthdays and events were invariably held in one of the siblings’ houses, and the celebrations “were always special”. But since neither Doris nor George drove, “getting there and back was always an adventure and once the party had started, mum never wanted to leave!” recalls Lynn.
Another family tradition was going to Doris’s house for New Year’s Day. “She would always forget to add the Brussels sprouts to your plate, and we would find them while cleaning up,” chuckles Lynn. After dinner, Doris would get out some board games, or the karaoke machine. “Any excuse for a singsong!” adds her daughter, wryly.
Doris was also a great music lover and a fan of everyone from Frank Sinatra to Barbra Streisand, Ella Fitzgerald to Dusty Springfield, and Robbie Williams to Amy Winehouse. “My mother had very eclectic tastes and loved singers from both yesteryear and today,” says Lynn. “Whenever I visited mum and dad on a Saturday afternoon, she would be playing songs by one of her favourite artistes.”
She also loved attending Line Dancing Classes, which gave her the chance to wear her full ensemble of cowgirl regalia, “but as she suffered from motion sickness, she would miss out the spinning steps,” says Lynn.
Doris, who enjoyed dressmaking, cross-stitching, homedecorating and gardening, was close to her beloved granddaughter. “Mum thought the world of my daughter Naomi,” says Lynn. “They would both have little Friday afternoon teas and pamper sessions with face masks, manicures, and pedicures.”
In 2008, Doris had a heart attack but bounced back only to suffer the trauma of seeing the family home burn down in 2014 due to faulty electrics, resulting in the loss of many a treasured and sentimental item. Two years later, she suffered a second heart attack, and a third at the beginning of this year’s lockdown.
“Mum should have gone into hospital but was terrified she would catch coronavirus so she stayed at home even though she found it difficult to breathe when she tried to move,” says Lynn.
In early May, Doris suffered yet another heart attack and sadly lost her life. Her funeral took place at Clydebank Crematorium during the lockdown so only 10 mourners were allowed to attend. “Mum was so glamorous and a stylish figure – she loved a bit of sparkle too – and remained active right until the lockdown,” says Lynn.
“She was also resilient, determined and strong, and had the biggest heart ever.”
How different do funerals look right now?
Can funerals be livestreamed for those who cannot attend?
Co-op Funeralcare is still arranging funerals and is here to support you 24/7. Even if you are self-isolating, Co-op can help you to organise a funeral over the phone, and email or post all forms and documents to you.
Although restrictions around funeral services are changing daily, you can still organise a short ceremony at the graveside or crematorium, with a limited number of people attending in person.
Yes, many crematoria have the facility to livestream or record services.
As at this stage, it’s not clear how long restrictions may be in place, therefore our guidance is that funerals should take place as soon as possible. You may want to think about holding a celebration of life or a memorial service at a later date when all restrictions have been lifted.
Co-op Funeralcare has had to change how it organises services, but there are plenty of ways you can remember someone special. These include arranging for the hearse to pass your home or by somewhere that’s important to you, personalising the order of service or sending seed cards to those who were unable to attend the funeral, to plant in their memory.
Can you not delay the funeral for a later date, when government controls have been lifted?
Are there special ways that I can say goodbye to a loved one at this time?