Billingshurst woman urges people to think about their legacy
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Poppy Mardell said: “Talking about sex doesn’t mean that we’ll have a baby – likewise, to talk about death doesn’t mean we are going to drop down dead.”
Like the Grim Reaper Covid-19 rampages relentlessly through the world showing no mercy, families are left grief stricken in its wake.
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Hide AdThe pandemic has forced people to contemplate their own mortality and highlighted the wisdom of thinking and planning ahead; lessening the burden for those left behind.
I aim to inspire, educate and empower people to talk to their families and make end-of-life choices whilst they are well and healthy. Not to do so means loved ones have to make difficult decisions while in a state of shock and bewilderment.
Because death and dying is such a taboo subject, when faced with arranging a funeral people don’t know what to say ‘yes’ to and when to say ‘no.’ Lack of knowledge can lead to impersonal conveyor belt funerals with huge price tags.
I have authored several books described as ‘packed with inspiration’ by Rosie Innman-Cook from the Natural Death Centre, and won a major national award; ‘The Most Significant Contribution to the Understanding of Death’ for my work on pre-need funeral planning, awarded at the Good Funeral Awards ceremony in Bournemouth in 2013.
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Hide AdI worked for many years as a wedding/party planner/caterer and more recently a funeral arranger.
I was inspired many years ago having attended two funerals, both of elderly gentlemen who had arranged their own departures prior to need. I emerged on both occasions feeling euphoric, realising how healing a funeral could be; I was off on a mission! The lightbulb’ moment came when I recognised that the experience gained while planning celebratory events could be applied to arranging funerals that truly celebrate life while honouring grief and loss.
l Through this column I will be aiming to answer some of the questions you might have about this process, and how to start those conversations with your loved ones.
If you have a question you’d like me to help with, email it to [email protected]. I apprecicate this could cover some sensitive subjects so your name will be kept confidential.