Grim Reaper arrives at woman’s funeral as part of dying wish

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With a Grim Reaper and a congregation of individuals wearing white, those that noticed Sharon Taffs’ funeral could be forgiven for considering the ceremony resembled a Halloween social gathering, not a memorial service.

But then not each knew the 68-year-old, who retained her sense of humour to the top of her life.

The eccentric mother-of-four determined she was going to plan her departure down to each final element – together with her funeral at Broad Street Green Chapel in Maldon in Essex.

Mrs Taffs, who died after breast most cancers recognized in 2022 unfold to her lungs, had a dying wish for the “Grim Reaper” to be at her funeral, and her daughter Louise Miller, 49, made it a actuality.

Six months earlier than her loss of life on 7 December, the concept got here up when Ms Taffs’ daughter’s greatest buddy Kenny Rossington, 59, was discussing her funeral preparations.

Mr Rossington joked he would attend the service dressed as the “Grim Reaper” and announce to friends “you’re next”.

Ms Miller, from  Witham, Essex instructed the Independent: “Mum thought it was a really good idea.

“He played the part perfectly, he did not speak a single word and stood at the back of the church- he did make a few people jump but guests were forewarned.”

The masked robed determine boldly stood out towards the backdrop of friends who have been instructed to decorate in white relatively than black.

Before her sickness, Sharon labored as a machine setter in a manufacturing facility which made chairs and tables for faculties. In a free time she had artistic hobbies together with stitching, portray, knitting and crochet.

She turned to Christianity later in life becoming a member of the church the place her funeral was hosted, and took her loss of life in a stride as she was certain she was going to satisfy Jesus when her time got here to an finish.

Mrs Taffs even opted to have her cremation earlier than the service so her ashes may very well be on show at the entrance of the church.

Ms Miller stated: “She was just an amazing person, when you think of funerals you think of sadness and people weeping. So many people said they really enjoyed it, people were footstomping to the lively music – it was the best funeral I’ve ever been to.”

Lively non secular songs performed all through the funeral and Ms Taffs made one other uncommon request- to play Dominick the Italian Donkey, an Italian Christmas track, in honour of her shut Italian buddy Maria.

The chapel was crammed souvenirs from Mrs Taff’s existence together with stitching machines, dart boards, images, birthday playing cards and old fashioned stories.

Guests then went to the native pub, the Heybridge Inn, the place Ms Taffs performed playing cards.

Ms Miller stated: “It’s helped my grieving process because when I look back at her funeral I don’t remember it as a sad occasion, it makes me smile.”

Next in Mrs Taffs’ dying request is that her grandson’s and husband, Tony Taffs, 59, scatter her ashes off Ben Nevis.