Festival 2022

The Lonely Funeral

Organised by Lapidus Scotland

This event will take place on Thursday, November 10th from 5.30-6.30 in the University of Dundee’s Chaplaincy Centre.

It will focus on the idea of The Lonely Funeral, a concept developed in the Netherlands and Belgium whose aim is to celebrate the lives of deceased individuals who die unidentified, unknown or unmourned.

The event is being organised by Andy Jackson, a writer and editor, and Michael Hannah, an independent celebrant and writer. In addition, there will be contributions from several poets who have expressed an interest in the aims and objectives of the project.

The event will focus on several aspects of the project:

• An overview of the history and development of The Lonely Funeral in the Low Countries
• How the project began and how it operates as a social and cultural service
• How it is hoped The Lonely Funeral will develop in Scotland, and details of progress
• Presenters will discuss the connections they have made with interested parties and consider potential benefits which the project will offer, and any problems or obstacles to be overcome
• Two/Three ‘Lonely Funeral´ eulogies delivered by celebrants and poets forming part of the project
• Eulogies will draw on real people whose funerals were attended by either a few people or no-one
• Eulogies will be delivered in the form of a poem using what information can be gleaned about the deceased or the circumstances of their death
• This will give a sense of how a ‘Lonely Funeral’ might operate if the project proceeds
• Conclusion – next steps and questions from attendees

Attendance will be open to anyone, and it is hoped that it will be recorded as made available after the event.

Photo credit: Lapidus Scotland