the funeral
By Emma, We Love Panda’s blog
Mum’s funeral took place last Monday at Tarn Moor near Skipton, West Yorkshire. Tarn Moor is a green burial site with 10 acres of land that is being turned into woodland. They have active conservation principles and ask all coffins to be biodegradable. Tarn Moor is set in a stunning location, one view looks towards Embsay Crag. When we visited, albeit in terrible weather, there were a few wildflowers coming through and a lapwing flying overhead. This is what appealed to us, the fact that it’s more countryside than cemetery. In fact it barely resembles a cemetery at all as there are no headstones.
We had a service at the funeral director’s chapel (we used Eaton & Sons in Ilkley whom I recommend) which was more of a nice room really because we asked for all religious paraphenalia to be removed. Wendy Pratt, who runs Tarn Moor, gave the service. She is lovely lady who was very helpful and gave us guidance when we weren’t sure quite what we wanted. My dad chose the music for the service which was special to him and mum -
If I was a Carpenter - the Four Tops (it was in the charts when they were dating)
Sweet Baby James - James Taylor
My brother got up to speak and I am so proud he was able to do so because I couldn’t due to nerves and crying. He spoke about how mum was kind and there isn’t a bad word you could say about our mum as she was so loving.
Wendy read a poem by Joyce Grenfell which was fitting because mum loved her and we thought the poem was poignant
Life Goes On
If I should go before the rest of you
Break not a flower
Nor inscribe a stone
Nor when I am gone
Speak in a Sunday voice
But be the usual selves
That I have known
Weep if you must
Parting is hell
But life goes on
So …. sing as well
Then we travelled to Tarn Moor where mum was interred. She was burried in a bamboo coffin with our family flowers which were purple and lilac - her favourite colours. We asked for donations to the Royal Society of the Protection of Birds instead of flowers. Dad, Ian and I sprinkled some earth on her and threw some daffodils from their garden onto the coffin. Then as a parting point Yeh Yeh - Georgie Fame was played.
It was such a hard day to go through but everything was so fitting as mum was an greenie and an ardent recycler. She loved her garden and wildlife and birds in particular so Tarn Moor was just right.