The woman behind some of Plymouth's most bizarre funerals
By
Sarah_Herald | Posted: May 21, 2017
Video: 1m.
A three-hour rock concert, writing a final love letter and blowing a stationmaster's whistle as the coffin disappeared are just three of the weird but wonderful funeral requests made in Plymouth recently.
Wendy Coulton became Plymouth's first funeral celebrant four years ago and since then has planned a myriad of services, guiding families through the most agonising time before saying goodbye to their loved ones in the best way possible.
The 48-year-old former journalist passionately
believes no one funeral should be the same, which is why she always goes above and beyond to realise people's wishes.
And if that involves wearing tight jeans and staging a rock concert, so be it.
"This was for a young man who was a musician," explained Wendy, who lives in Devonport. "All of his friends performed different pieces for a three-hour open-mic event.
"I very much dressed down and at their request the theme was rock and roll. Everyone, including me, entered into the genuine spirit of the event."
From tributes and eulogies, to school bands and solo singers, the funeral was a world away from a traditional service with a procession in black.
Wendy continued: "His mum wanted him to arrive in a rock and roll-style, so the coffin was escorted by bikes, and the route of the hearse passed by all of the places he used to play gigs at in Plymouth.
"A lot of thought went into the detail, which was very much created by his mum."
Wendy believes every person is "truly unique", which is why their funeral should be too.
But because we are living longer and longer, she also believes
people should be planning their own send-off before they die.
"You don't have to have a terminal illness to get your affairs in order," she said. "I am a healthy, family lady, but I have written down where I want to be cremated or buried, what special touches I want, what music I would like, if I have any other express wishes – and my family know where the box is in the house where that piece of paper is kept.
"I think, for me, it is the last act of love for my family."
She added: "I see a lot of families where there weren't these discussions and when they are not feeling at their best and when they are quite distressed and feeling vulnerable, you can have these situations where family members can't even agree between themselves what the person's wishes would have been.
"It is just unnecessarily distress and tension when you really could do without it.
"In my household you would expect we talk about death very openly, but if you are not comfortable then at least write it down, and most importantly, tell somebody where it is. It could save an awful lot of heartache and tension when the time comes."
etc... (Long article)
http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/ply...ful-funerals/story-30342952-detail/story.html