‘Preparing for our Last Wishes’ article in AAH Magazine

'Preparing for our Last Wishes' article in AAH Magazine

Following her recent Last Wishes Workshop, an article in AAH Magazine features Jean Francis, who explains how grieving families need not be restricted to expensive coffins, traditional church services and gleaming hearses. Read or download an Acrobat PDF version of the full article here.

Jean will host another Last Wishes Workshop in Horsham, West Sussex, on Saturday 16 November from 10.30am to 4pm. Booking is essential on 01403 451103 or visit the Last Wishes Workshop page for more information here.

Mobile phones at Funerals

When conducting a funeral service I always begin by asking people to check that their mobile phones are switch off.

Recently I had a very embarrassing situation occur. We were ten minutes into our 20 minute slot when suddenly loud, jingling music filled the chapel. Thinking it was the Wesley system gone crazy I pressed the ‘diminish sound button’ but it still took a while for the noise to stop. I carried on with the service and pressed the play button for the next hymn and again nothing happened! To my total embarrassment I found myself whipping past the coffin into an anti-room and yelling ‘music please.’ Thankfully someone heard me and the next hymn played. The final piece of music also refused to play so I went hot footing back (soooo embarrassing) behind the scenes to plead yet again for ‘music.’ Afterwards I apologised profusely and shared my embarrassment with the FD who said he was sitting in the back row and the untimely burst of music was someone playing with their mobile phone. The family were wonderful, I felt so grateful to them, thy hugged me and said: ‘John would have loved it.’ How generous of heart were they?

What sad times we live in if someone can’t even just for twenty minutes focus on the reason they are where they are and the person whose life is being celebrated.

Death Cafe – Horsham

Bournemouth7

Drop in for an evening of life, death, contemplation and of course delicious cake!

We meet on the last Tuesday of each month with the exception of December.

Please arrive at 5.45 for a prompt 6.00 pm start – 8 pm

Venue: Pretty Things, 4 Park Place Horsham, RH12 1DG

We ask that you choose from the delicious selection of cakes, teas and coffees available during the evening

The café is hosted by – Jean Francis, One Spirit Interfaith Minister, pre-need funeral planner and author

This is the perfect opportunity for people to come together tp talk about the end of life issues and death but is not a bereavement group

tThere is no charge to attend a death café but donations are appreciated to cover expenses so that we can offer more death cafes.

 

A Lovely Jubbly exit…

For those wishing to leave this world in ‘Del Boy’ style, it is now possible.

This yellow Reliant van complete with ‘Trotters Independent Trading’ logo, could be an appropriate exit for fans of TV’s favourite wheeler dealer – and is now available for hire. This crazy ‘Trotters hearse brings a smile to everyone’s faces even in the depths of grief. This is the ‘real deal’ for any Del Boy enthusiast.