The hallmark of a good funeral is that it leaves you in no doubt as to whose funeral it is. You might even find yourself saying afterwards, “He would have enjoyed that.”

It comes down to appropriateness and individuality, like the milkman whose coffin was carried on his milk float, or the keen gardener whose ‘wake’ was held in the Allotment Society’s building whilst other allotment holders carried on gardening outside.

A funeral allows for the expression of grief and loss; it celebrates the life of the loved one; and it begins to move those of us who remain behind towards a new future. Within this simple framework, those preparing the funeral can use many expressions of the life and values of the person who has died: for example, music, readings and poems, photographs and tributes. Or the whole theme of the ceremony may simply declare, “This is Sally’s funeral!”