The Parlour Game: Recent Episodes
Scotstream
I'm not a Funeral Director but I've worked at hundreds of funeral services. So I've got questions, lots - probably the same ones you have. In The Parlour Game I get to meet these special people who help us through the departure lounge and on to our final destination. It's a fascinating peek into what the future holds for us all. Come on in, as we lift the lid, on The Parlour Game.
We've come to the end of this series of The Parlour Game podcast, so who should have the last word?
The Stonemason of course. Their inscriptions stand to inform generations to come of who, "lies here". It's our final goodbye and what we say can be a powerful thing. For once - it actually is written in stone.
Want a second series? Email Scotstream with your suggestions of what we should put in it.
"The Parlour Game"
email us: info@scotstream.net
Online: www.scotstream.net
Online: www.gerryburketv.tv
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FuneralLiveStreamScotland
Thanks for listening!
In this penultimate episode in the series, we turn the tables a little and ask what happens when Funeral Directors suffer personal bereavement whilst continuing to help those bereaved themselves.
My guests, both with personal stories to tell on this subject are Gordon Stewart of Stewart Funeral Directors, Kinross and Margot McKay of David Scott Blairgowrie Ltd. My thanks to Gordon and Margot for sharing their stories.
www.stewartfuneralgroup.co.uk
www.dscottfunerals.co.uk
"The Parlour Game"
email us: info@scotstream.net
Online: www.scotstream.net
Online: www.gerryburketv.tv
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FuneralLiveStreamScotland
Thanks for listening!
We love our cars, don't we? So it's no surprise that many of us want a say in what takes us on our final journey. The late Duke of Edinburgh designed the adaptations to a Land Rover Defender for his cortege. Motorbike sidecars are increasingly popular, campervans, vintage vehicles - start looking and there's a huge choice.
This week I speak to speciality hearse operator Darren Abey about his fleet. Darren is probably best known for the iconic three wheeler made famous in a UK TV sitcom, which always raises a smile when it comes into view.
www.onlyfoolsandhearses.co.uk
"The Parlour Game"
email us: info@scotstream.net
Online: www.scotstream.net
Online: www.gerryburketv.tv
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FuneralLiveStreamScotland
Thanks for listening!
This week we hear from a Funeral Director who can give you one of the best views in Scotland - with only the one condition. Fancy an Eco-Cemetery? John Gauld of Gauld's Funeral Services in Crieff, Perthshire tells us more.
www.ecoburial.me
www.gaulds.com
"The Parlour Game"
email us: info@scotstream.net
Online: www.scotstream.net
Online: www.gerryburketv.tv
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FuneralLiveStreamScotland
Thanks for listening!
Ruper Callander, now an established undertaker, set out to become a pioneering example of the profession. He brought a "DIY' ethos to the business of death (and a sky blue Ford Galaxy hearse) which he explains to great effect is his book "What Remains? Life, Death and the Human Art of Undertaking".
This episode is a fascinating listen for those inside the profession and the rest of us, its future clientele.
"What Remains? Life, Death and the Human Art of Undertaking" by Rupert Callender is published by Chelsea Green.
"The Parlour Game"
email us: info@scotstream.net
Online: www.scotstream.net
Online: www.gerryburketv.tv
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FuneralLiveStreamScotland
Thanks for listening!
Funerals are, on the whole, traditional. What other profession goes to work in a top hat and silver topped cane these days? So how does that fit in to where we are now. Cupar Funeral director Steven Stewart joins me this week to look at how things are changing.
www.stevenstewartfunerals.co.uk
"The Parlour Game"
email us: info@scotstream.net
Online: www.scotstream.net
Online: www.gerryburketv.tv
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FuneralLiveStreamScotland
Thanks for listening!
This week, we ask - are we doing the best for our children when it comes to teaching them about death and bereavement? The National Association of Funeral Directors has started a petition to get bereavement counselling into the school curriculum.
Current President, John Adams, himself affected by loss as a child, is my guest and explains how we can overcome the fears and concerns by being more proactive in our approach. You can sign the petition using the link below.
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/624185
www.nafd.org.uk
"The Parlour Game"
email us: info@scotstream.net
Online: www.scotstream.net
Online: www.gerryburketv.tv
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FuneralLiveStreamScotland
Thanks for listening!
Death is not the most feared thing. It's not spiders either.
It's speaking in public.
In this episode Funeral Celebrant Neil Dorward is my guest. He's spoken at thousands of funerals and sat down with as many families to hear fascinating stories of a life lived.
Could you do it? If not, then it's a good job we have people like Neil around.
"The Parlour Game"
email us: info@scotstream.net
Online: www.scotstream.net
Online: www.gerryburketv.tv
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FuneralLiveStreamScotland
Thanks for listening!
What are the natural alternatives to the way we depart? As we heard in Episode 2, there are choices and plenty of options, particularly if you have concerns on how your exit will affect the environment.
The Natural Death Centre is a charity which offers free, impartial advice on all aspects of dying and bereavement. Rosie Inman-Cook joins me to chat about the work of the charity and how it may have the answers to some questions you have.
www.naturaldeath.org.uk
Helpline: 01962 712690
"The Parlour Game"
email us: info@scotstream.net
Online: www.scotstream.net
Online: www.gerryburketv.tv
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FuneralLiveStreamScotland
Thanks for listening!
There was a time when the local Joiner was also the local Undertaker - stuff of Hollywood Westerns you may say. But look hard enough and you'll find they still exist. Fife born Kenny Garland can trace his family Carpentry/Undertaker business back to 1900 - and it remains the same today.
https://garlandelie.co.uk/
Tel 01333 330475
"The Parlour Game"
email us: info@scotstream.net
Online: www.scotstream.net
Online: www.gerryburketv.tv
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FuneralLiveStreamScotland
Thanks for listening!
When it comes to your time, however long that may be off, what do you want for your own funeral? A special coffin, hearse, a favourite place? There are choices, plenty of them but the good news is, you don't have to make them alone. In fact at Coffin Club, you'll probably pick up some good ideas. In this episode I speak to Funeral Celebrant Kate Tym about this vibrant club and how to become a member.
web: https://coffinclub.co.uk/
email: coffinclubuk@gmail.com
facebook: @CoffinClubUK
"The Parlour Game"
email us: info@scotstream.net
Online: www.scotstream.net
Online: www.gerryburketv.tv
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FuneralLiveStreamScotland
Thanks for listening!
Drive down any High Street in The UK and you'll probably spot a Funeral Parlour - maybe two. In cities, there are even more. But what's it like being an island based Funeral Director where you know everyone, everyone knows you and the weather has the final say on when things will happen. For this first episode of The Parlour Game, we speak to Britain's most northerly Funeral Director, Jame Goudie in Shetland.
Welcome to The Parlour Game!
The podcast for and about the funeral industry in the UK.
Listen to the introductory trailer for the series in which we speak to Funeral Directors about their work and why they do it. We'll hear from those who offer a traditional approach, some with alternative views and those who support the industry in various ways. Stories shared from up and down the UK about our attitude to death and also how personal bereavement is handled by those working in the industry.