Funeral service to reflect personality of gays and lesbians

September 05, 2011

 After dissatisfaction with her sister’s funeral because it didn’t reflect who her she was, a lesbian from Coventry has set up a service focusing on ceremonies for gays and lesbians.

Angela Sanderson, 47, a student at Coventry University, set up her service Rainbow End after taking a four-day course to qualify as a civil funeral celebrant last year.

Sanderson said she hopes her service will reflect the deceased person’s personality and beliefs and not that of a religion or church.

She also plans on getting into the business of child naming, civil partnerships and vow renewals for gay couples.
 

“I am a gay woman and hope to specialise in funerals and civil celebrations for gay couples, but not exclusively,” Sanderson told the Coventry Telegraph.

“The rainbow is the flag for gays and it seemed an appropriate name.”
 

She added: “I would prefer my funeral service to be held by someone who understands my lifestyle. I am an atheist, but I believe each to his or her own.

“I want gay people to know there is someone out there.”

The Co-op set up a funeral service in 2005 directed at lesbians and gays called Pink Partings.
 

Image in public domain