Customer Reviews
excellent book at a sensitive time - By: Mrs. C. J. Cubbon, 12 Aug 2008 
Obviously....buying this book is an emotional thing to do. I bought it shortly after my mums husband died....and mum herself is very illin hospital with cancer. As a family we hav'nt had to face death much so far & so we knew very little about funerals etc. This book, written by people involvedin an independant funeral service offers ideas for making funerals more personal & meaningful. There are some lovely photographs & I find the wicker coffin that everyone can weave a flower into a truly inspiring thought....and that's what I would like...the book has taken away my 'fear' of funerals as something black & sombre & cold....to something altogether more sensitive. Yes, as another reviewer says....get it BEFORE someone dies....as the advice & personal stories will help everyone....those near death & their friends & families that will be left behind. Thnak you to other reviewers who guided me to choose this book.
A must for everyone - By: Ms. N. J. Davies, 08 Aug 2008 
We Need to Talk About the Funeral: 101 Practical Ways to Commemorate & Celebrate Life: 2
I purchased this book as my mother-in-law was diagnosed with terminal cancer & I knew that I would have to make many of the decisions. I thought the book would be hard going but it wasn't. It was full of extremely useful information & ideas that I hadn't even considered & has made me think about my own funeral (hopefully many years away!)and how much easier it is for those left behind to know your exact wishes. Thanks to this book we were prepared for every eventuality & when the time came we were well prepared. It also made me think about my 7 year old who we weren't going to take to the funeral, but on reading the book made me realise that he had been through the last few months with us every step of the way & to shut him out of the funeral wasn't right. He came with us all & even stood on the altar & read the bidding prayers. I cannot recommend this book more highly.
Every home should have one - By: Bizzy, 22 Jun 2007 This is a beautiful book that makes a very difficult subject simple. It explains all the options available for creating a really memorable celebration of a life. I have left it out & it had prompted some really good discussionsin our house. I'd reccomend it wholeheartedly.
Every home should have one! - By: Greta Jensen, 06 Nov 2006 As someone with a 97 yr old mother, I know that I will have to deal with her passing sooner rather than later. I have wanted to find an appropriate way to honour & celebrate such a long life, but have been dreading even thinking about it. To people like me this book is a treasure of ideas for funerals. AND it's more than just a book on funerals - it's about feeling empowered & prepared to engage positively with loss & grief so that the necessary process of `letting go' can have purpose & meaning for those left behind.
A beautiful and inspiring book - at a time when it is most needed - By: Georgina Weaver, 04 Nov 2006 This is a subject that most have to deal with, & yet which most avoid thinking about until they can avoid no longer. Consequently it is all too easy to hand over as many practicalities as possible & to find an off-the-peg, mass-produced solution. This book shows us that taking more control of the process, & honouring our loved onesin a more individual & thoughtful way, can be both empowering & healing.
Jane Morrell & Simon Smith have created an inspiring & beautiful book. It is a book that is both thought-provoking & gentle, both universal & personal. Above all it is a book that supports & encourages the bereaved to do what they really want to do, & not just what they feel that convention dictates they should do. It enables those who read it to create ceremonies & lasting memories that are totally appropriate & meaningful.
