Funeral home too close for comfort for elderly
ELDERLY residents at a seaside retirement complex have told of their horror when they discovered undertakers moving in next door.
They were shocked to see a 6ft banner on the front of a Georgian terrace, declaring: “Your new funeral home will be here soon.” It also featured the image of a gnarled hand clutching a walking stick.
For the 44 flat owners in Dawlish, Devon, it was the first clue to their new neighbours. They have now hit out at Co-op, the owners of the funeral home.
Artist Anne Hazelwood, 82, said: “Many residents, like myself, are in their 80s or 90s and these images are incredibly insensitive. I’m appalled.
“It’s a cruel reminder of our limited mortality. We had no warning and whoever dreamed up this sick advert should have their head examined.” Another resident, retired
National Trust gardener Arthur Pearson, 93, added: “We know we are all knocking on death’s door around here but we don’t need this sort of ‘in your face’ reminder.
“There will be hearses pulling up night and day just 20 yards from where I’m sitting now. I won’t let it get to me but there are plenty of little old ladies living here who will be upset at having a ‘house of the dead’ next door.” One 75-year-old woman, whose home adjoins the new arrival, added: “I’m deeply disappointed in the Co-op. This seems a very crude way of promoting their business.
“Nobody bothered to inform me of the building’s radical change of use. The workmen say there’s going to be a cold store for bodies on the other side of our dividing wall. It’s not the bodies I’m bothered about – it’s the noise from the refrigeration unit disturbing my sleep.”
A Co-op spokesman said: “We are sorry for any concern caused to local residents. The banner was not intended to be offensive.
“It was put up while conversion work was underway. It shows the hand of one of our funeral directors and is often used.
“It was not intended to be insensitive. But, as a result of local feedback, it has been taken down.
He added: “Any funerals from this new home will be treated with the utmost respect, care and consideration for those living nearby.”
But Ms Hazelwood said: “That’s not a proper apology. They haven’t had the decency to admit it was insensitive. I’m tempted to cancel my funeral plans with them.”
Mr Pearson agreed: “Me too. But I accepted their divi points on my funeral costs, so I suppose I’ll have to stay with them.”