Tradition & Modernity

A Bespoke Traditional Funeral for Bernie: A Unique Farewell

Honouring a Noble Character: Bernie was a remarkable character whose complexity and diversity were beautifully reflected in his final journey. In collaboration with the Priest and Minister at Southwark Cathedral, we seamlessly blended tradition and modernity to create a bespoke traditional funeral that honoured his inspiring life. As a long-standing and highly respected member of both the Southwark community and the Royal Navy, Bernie’s achievements were celebrated with due recognition and numerous medals.

A Traditional and Elegant Service: The traditional, elegant horse-drawn carriage, accompanied by his family and Naval Officers, marked a proud arrival. The heart-warming strains of ‘Amazing Grace’ sung acapella filled the Cathedral, pairing Christian ceremony and psalms with heartfelt family tributes and professional recognition. The ceremony balanced solemnity with the characterful honesty of a life well-lived. A bugler sounded ‘The Last Post,’ followed by a minute’s silence, and ‘The Sound of the Reveille’ signalled the time for Prayers of Commendation.

A Navy Burial and Celebration: Following the traditional service, a notable procession of funeral cars led the way to a less formal but equally meaningful ceremony at the crematorium. With the music of Glenn Miller and Frank Sinatra setting a lighter tone, guests enjoyed poems, tales of adventurous escapades, and shared laughter and love before bidding farewell. The naval bell resonated in the chapel, marking a proud and complete tribute to Bernie’s unique and accomplished life.

Traditional, elegant horse drawn carriage accompanied by his family and Naval Officers provide the proud arrival. The heart-warming, rounded sound of acapella song, ‘Amazing Grace’ filled the Cathedral. Christian ceremony & psalms were paired with family tributes and professional recognition providing a perfect balance of solemnity and characterful honesty of the life very well lived. Elegantly sombre, a bugler sounded ‘The Last Post’ followed by a minute’s silence. ‘The Sound of the Reveille’ announced the time for Prayers of Commendation.

A notable procession of funeral cars followed the horse drawn carriage to the crematorium for a less formal but equally weighted ceremony. Glenn Millar, Frank Sinatra lightened the mood, poems, tales of rascally adventures engaged the guests as they shared in love and laughter before they said goodbye. The navel bell sounded in the chapel. Proud and complete, Bertie really had ‘done it his way’.