The Fantastic Funerals Company

Thursday 01 May

In this country, we seem to have quite a reluctance to talk about anything connected with death and funerals, and yet this is the one certainty in life - that at some point, we will all pass away.

We meet two local ladies that are helping people talk about this sensitive subject with a unique new business idea.

After the unexpected death of her father, Caroline Peach from Harrogate (above left) realized that no one in the family had a clue what his wishes were regarding the funeral, and this started her thinking about the topic in general. "I realized that many other families were probably in the same boat when a loved one dies," says Caroline, "and so there is a need to help people address this fact of life and make sure that the person's wishes are known and carried out."

So Caroline and her colleague Liz Lee (above right) and established The Fantastic Funeral Company with a specific theme in mind celebrating life. Both had attended funerals which were clinical, anonymous and impersonal. A feeling of "there's got to be more to it than this" helped to create the company," says Liz.

During the extensive research that Liz and Caroline undertook, people told them that when loved ones die, remaining family and friends often feel that planning the funeral is overwhelming and too great a task to deal with. The Fantastic Funeral Company's bespoke arrangements allow their customers peace of mind, knowing that the funeral celebration will be designed exactly as required. From flowers, music and the eulogy to coffins and venues, they can help you plan every stage and advise you along the way.

With this in mind, Liz and Caroline have produced a 'Wish List'. "This is a comprehensive end of life planning document which enables you to say how you would like to be treated at the end of your life," explains Liz, "where you would like to be cared for and who you would like to involve in your care." The document covers other specifics such as all aspects of the funeral arrangements and, if cremated, what you would like to happen to your ashes afterwards. Most importantly, the Wish List puts the client in control and ensures that everyone else concerned knows their wishes in detail.

In terms of arranging a fantastic funeral, Liz and Caroline work closely with the proprietors of many lovely venues in interesting locations, all of which have agreed to hold funeral celebrations complete with the coffin in situ. They can help you choose from a beautiful range of handmade ecological coffins or urns for ashes, or suggest ideas to help remember someone special, such as having a memorial tree planted or a diamond made from a sample of their ashes or a lock of hair.

Their themed venues for funeral services include Ripon race course where a horse drawn hearse carries the coffin along the six furlong, straight to the winning post, then at a later date ashes may be scattered on the course. Ripley Castle provides the setting for a regal send off, and if it's an early evening funeral, perhaps completed with a stunning firework display. Rudding Park is the perfect venue for all golfing enthusiasts whilst the beauty of the Devonshire Arms is a spectacular setting for a gastronomic feast!

The Fantastic Funeral Company would like to remind us all that if a life is worth living...it's worth celebrating, and why not do it in your own unique style?

For further information call 0113 269 7892 or visit www.fantasticfunerals.co.uk

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