Imagine a peaceful place, birds singing, bees and butterflies in abundance, wild-flowers moving in the breeze, and fresh countryside air.
Now imagine, that this is the venue for your funeral, or celebration of life.
Whilst the options for another of life’s great events, our wedding, has evolved to offer almost any conceivable scenario from a pop star impersonator celebrant, to tying the knot under the sea, it seems funerals, memorials, or celebrations of life remain steeped in tradition, and held in churches, crematoriums, village halls or pubs.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. We believe your funeral should reflect your life. Why stand in church if you’re not religious? Why have men dressed in formal black clothes if the lost life loved colour? Why be in a building in a town if you lived your life in the spiritual tranquility of our beautiful countryside?
‘More to Life’ magazine spoke with Sarah, owner and manager of Mid-England Barrow, and the Safari Tent Venue, to learn more about the alternatives available to us.
Sarah’s idea of a perfect funeral is to have family and friends sitting in the meadow, on a beautiful sunny day, each group with a picnic hamper. There would be no formalities, but as and when each person felt comfortable and able, they would share their memories of her with the gathering. The young children might be doing summersaults in the grass, and some may take a casual wander for quiet reflection, a guitar strumming, another group singing favourite songs, and staying for as long as everyone wishes.
And then, the icing on the cake (or cakes!), a trip down the winding path, imitating the twists and turns of her life, to place her ashes into a Modern Round Barrow. Entering the Barrow is a very special experience, a tingle goes down your spine, and everyone automatically lowers their tone. It’s not spooky or scary, sad or gloomy, the Barrow is invigorating, utterly amazing, and inspiring.
Niches nestled into the stone walls, handcrafted by skilled masons provide places for the safe keeping of ashes. And what’s more, pets’ ashes can be stored alongside the humans, remaining exactly where our beloved pets are in life, right by our sides.
Article by Sarah Smart, Mid-England Barrow
