Only Fools and Hearses for fun-loving Raymond
HUMOUR ADDS PERSONAL TOUCH AT FUNERAL
A HUSBAND had the most unique of funerals – when his hearse was transformed into a Reliant Robin.
Raymond O’brien, 50, made his final journey in the bright yellow vehicle which was inspired by his love for Only Fools and Horses.
Raymond’s wife Caroline said the hearse represented her husband’s fun and loving personality.
She said: “On a gloomy day in Gateshead, the bright yellow hearse had heads turning throughout the town, which is just what Raymond would have wanted.
“As soon as the funeral procession pulled up, all of the guests had smiles on their faces as this personal touch brought back happy memories of Raymond.”
The funeral was one of the personalised funerals arranged by Co-op Funeral Care. Others have included a Mcdonald’s theme, Christmas in July and s magician theme.
It comes after the Co-op revealed it is not just the ceremony people are personalising, Brits wanting to arrive at their send-off in style.
Over the last three years, the national funeral provider has seen the number of requests for unique hearses increase by 21%.
The Co-op’s biggest ever survey into death, dying and bereavement revealed that 41% would like their funeral to be a celebration of life rather than a sad occasion.
A further one in five (20%) want mourners to wear bright colours at their funeral.
The funeral of Alan Dykes, from North Shields, 55, saw family and friends arrive in their best fancy dress outfits as Alan had made his wife Marie promise a send-off that would represent his personality.
Marie said: “Alan had always made me promise if he was to die first I would make sure he had a fancy dress funeral.
“I used to always dismiss it because I did not want to consider that but when he did pass away I knew exactly what I needed to do.”
David Collingwood, director of funerals at Co-op, said everyone leads a unique life and our final goodbye should reflect that.
He added: “Personalised touches do not need to be extravagant - it can be something as small as changing the funeral directing team’s ties.
“The trend really highlights the importance of planning ahead and having conversations with our friends and family about our wishes.
“Not only so we take our final journey in the way we would have wanted but also to alleviate some of the pain for our grieving families by removing those important decisions when the time comes.”