S1 Ep4: Funerals: I Did It My Way

The Dying Matters Podcast

Have you ever pictured what your own funeral will look like? The stock image we're given in films and popular culture has all the mourners dressed in black, facing a coffin at the head of a church or standing around it in a graveyard. But funerals are becoming increasingly diverse, as people move away from the traditional models towards something that is much more bespoke and personalised.

Jane Harris, one of our guests this week, realised that none of the options presented to her for her son Josh's funeral felt right for her and her family. Instead, they decided to do it themselves. Jane talks us through that process, and how her and her husband, Jimmy, were able to turn such a tragic occasion into something positive and meaningful with the film they made about the day. Today, Jane and Jimmy continue to explore grief and bereavement through filmmaking with the Good Grief Project.

We also hear from Hasina Zaman, Director of Compassionate Funerals. Hasina set up her funeral business because she wanted her diverse London community to be able to access completely bespoke services that were appropriate for their personal preferences, religions, and cultures.

The message Jane and Hasina have is clear: when it comes to organising a funeral, you can do it your way.

Theme music is by Bernadette Ryan.

Find out more about The Good Grief Project at www.thegoodgriefproject.co.uk

Find out more about Compassionate Funerals at www.compassionatefunerals.co.uk

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