At the time of writing this (3rd April 2020) funerals in Scotland are still going ahead in crematoriums. Numbers are restricted to just ten people but some places, like Dundee, have the option to stream or record the ceremony. This
Last of the Urquharts
Recently I wrote about my experience of dealing with the funeral of my father’s cousin down south. Betty lived for many years in Farnborough, latterly in a care home. Her funeral took place in Aldershot Crematorium. But she was a
To Absent Friends 1-7 November 2019
The 2019 To Absent Friends festival was launched on 31 October at the University of Dundee. As part of the festival (organized by good life, good death, good grief) I highlighted a poem and a story in memory of my
Meeting Neil Dorward, Pioneer Civil Celebrant
It’s about a year since I trained as a celebrant. So I thought it would be good to catch up with Neil and Annie who ran the course. I’ve been working professionally as a celebrant for eight months. Meanwhile, Neil
Creating a place of reverence
Just a golf club and a table tennis racket placed at the foot of a coffin. Let’s be honest, crematoriums are not attractive places. Sometimes corporate, sometimes municipal – and usually, in a clumsy way, trying to be a “chapel”.