I live on a small estate made up of bungalows. Single story houses only. Consequently there is a preponderance of old people who live hereabouts. The houses suit us you see; no stairs.
It should come as no surprise when people here die as most of us are around the three score year and ten mark.
However, just the other day there were 2 funerals on the same day. Two near neighbours, just across the road from us in fact, had died. One I didn’t know well. He seemed a robust chap who was slightly younger than me. The other a lady in her 80’s. She had recently been widowed.
I attended the funeral for Joan (not her name), the lady. It was a very strange affair; slightly surreal in fact.
The hearse stopped a short walk from the entrance to the crematorium. A passenger got out of the hearse and moved to the front of the car. He proceeded to walk in front of the hearse for the last 100m or so. A not unusual sign of respect.
There was an attempt at ‘undertaker smartness’ but he didn’t quite pull it off. His black top had the appearance of once being sat on. His black, slightly faded, coat was too tight, all ‘pulled buttons and awkward gaps’. My mother would have said it “looked like a readymade shirt on a milestone” and she would have been right. He had a dull, black walking cane and his shoes looked as though they had not been cleaned for months.
The whole ensemble looked shabby. Around this part of Lincolnshire they describe such a look as “Grebby” and grebby he was.
The coffin was carried into the crematorium and placed on a Bier under a canopy in front of the small group of mourners, just Joan’s children, a couple of friends and three of us neighbours.
The scene set, the service started. Clearly the relatives had chosen a non religious service. A celebrant was called to deliver the oration.
The speech delivered, meaningful music played and the undertakers having marched woodenly about and bowed like Trumpton figures, the proceeding just sort of fizzled to a stop. There was no ending. The coffin didn’t go back behind curtains. Nothing. People glanced around in a sort of “what do we do now” kind of way. There was a distinct whiff of a Spike Milligan sketch about it.
What can we say? Goodbye Joan perhaps. At least the cars were clean.
It doesn’t seem much for 80 years of life does it.
peterdbarton.com 
I was initially hoping for a photo, but then I reconsidered as maybe hauling out your camera would have seemed crass.
Your description of the undertaker sounds like something from a Terry Pratchett novel!
I’ll be 63 next birthday and while scenes like this don’t occupy one’s thoughts, they do pop up now and then.
And being stopped by traffic cops at a routine roadblock and addressed: ”Ah, Senior citizen. Good morning , sir!” doesn’t bloody well help either! 🙂
And it’s at moments like this that I’m always reminded of the movie Grumpy old Men. If you’ve seen it you’ll know the part I am describing, where the 94 year old father says to his 68 year old son.
”Experiences! That’s all there is. You mount the woman, son!”
If you haven’t seen the movies, 1 and 2,then you should. They are hilarious. And of course they become even more relevant as the years pass!
And he’s right. In the end experiences are all we have.
My folks are 84 and 86 respectively. I am a long way from Chester and with this blasted Covid crap if anything were to happen …. or when … it’s doubtful I’ll be able to get back.
That the gods for Skype! At least we can chat.
Still a couple of weeks before Christmas, but in case you aren’t inclined to post before then …
All the best to you and yours’, Pete.
Doug.
LikeLike
As you can tell I haven’t been reply to comments. My apologies. I shall correct that error in future. Glad you liked the piece.
Cheers for now. P
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cheers Doug. To you and yours too.
p.s. I’m 75 in 6 weeks. Where the bloody hell did that come from.
LikeLike
Very sad . Thanks for the post , a reminder to make the most of life as’tempus fugit .’
LikeLike
Always love your photos.
Happy Christmas and New Year to you and Sue from myself and Abe
LikeLike
Ah , yes , the brevity of life . How can such an expanse of time be concertinaed into such a single compressed moment. Your observations both photographically and intellectually are always revealing . m moyers
LikeLike
Thanks Martin. Sadly, I don’t get around to reading the replies. Something I must change.
Best
P
LikeLike
ah ha so there you are ! I remember you had a scary diagnosis fairly recently and I hope there has been an outcome for you that has brought some peace of mind . As always kindest regards
LikeLike
As ever I’m quick to reply. The fairly recent diagnosis has not proved fatal, and doesn’t seem to be going to be anytime soon. Press on and Fuck the Tories.
LikeLike