This article is sponsored by Full Circle Funerals. 

A campaign launched by funeral directors in Yorkshire is aiming to raise awareness of the positive impact leaving a funeral wish can have on those making arrangements after someone has died.

Currently only 50% of people leave funeral wishes despite research suggesting that those arranging a funeral find it ‘consoling’ to be able to fulfil the wishes of the person who has died.

A study by Dr Julie Rugg and Dr Sarah Jones, from Yorkshire-based Full Circle Funerals, found that in the absence of wishes, people described feeling anxious and uncertain about whether the choices they were making were acceptable to the person who had died.

People in the study who were able to fulfil funeral wishes described this as a “gift” to the person who had died and said that this was very helpful when arranging the funeral. It has inspired a campaign by Full Circle Funerals to encourage more people to leave a funeral wish.

The study’s co-author, Sarah Jones, founded Full Circle Funerals to create a service that is strongly focused on the well-being of bereaved individuals. She said:

“We are not talking here about making a full blown full funeral plan, it can be enough to leave a single simple wish such as a preferred poem, prayer, or flower choice.”

“What matters is that those making the funeral arrangement have something to focus on and make happen, which often feels like a gift to the person who has died and may have an enormously positive impact on their grief in the longer term.

“In fact, in some instances simple may even be better because it can sometimes be difficult to deliver a detailed funeral plan, particularly at the moment when things are so restricted.”

The #leaveafuneralwish campaign aims to raise awareness of the value of sharing just one wish and the benefits it can bring when it comes to bereavement.

Sarah said a lack of funeral wishes can also exacerbate differences between decision makers when sorting out arrangements.

She explained: “We know it isn’t an easy conversation to have but we hope this campaign will encourage a few more conversations between family and friends about whether they have a preferred funeral song, a favourite poem or flower or even if they would like a church service or not.

“From the many conversations we have had with people we have supported over the years we know first-hand how much it helps to know just one thing that the person who died would have wanted at their funeral.”

Sharing his own experiences after losing his aunt, Muriel, Jonathan Holmes said: “Knowing Muriel’s wishes was very helpful for me and my family.  It meant we knew exactly what she wanted so it took all the uncertainly away.  It also felt really special to be able to give her the funeral that she wanted and feel confident that she would be happy with what we had created.”

For more information about funeral wishes, bereavement support and other useful advice, visit Full Circle Funerals. 

Full Circle Funerals are modern funeral directors, committed to supporting the wellbeing of every bereaved individual. You can find Full Circle in Harrogate, Halifax, Guiseley and Bramley.

A 150 self-care gift packages will be ready to be delivered to health care workers today to thank them for working through the pandemic.

David Billington began the project as he wanted to say thank you staff in care homes. As an ex-care home manager himself, David said he knows how much pressure the staff have been working under.

During the pandemic he has worked closely with care home workers, in his role as a funeral director, and began reaching out to local businesses to help.  Soon had 23 local companies offering vouchers and products.

Well known businesses and organisations including Harrogate Rotary, Hugh Rice Family Jewellers and Mama Doreen’s worked with David to bring some festive cheer to local front line workers.

A total of 150 packages are now ready to be delivered from today to Harrogate district care homes.

Care homes have nominated staff members that have gone above and beyond to receive this little pick-me-up.

Read more:

• A Harrogate group has raised £2,400 to give disadvantaged children Christmas gifts this year. 
• The Saint Michael’s ‘Light up a Life’ campaign has gone virtual this year. 

David Billington, now a funeral director at Full Circle Funerals, said:

“Some staff were working such long hours and I saw all they were doing and knew I had to do something to help. We needed to say thanks. So many people have been lovely and generous and it has just highlighted to me the community in Harrogate. It has definitely exceeded my expectations.”

The care packs will be delivered by Full Circle Funerals to nominated staff from Henshaws, Granby and Granby Rose Care Homes, Berwick Grange, Harrogate Skills for Living and Vida Grange throughout this week.