Neil Johnson lost his mother from lung cancer and decided to organise a themed funeral because of her love for Halloween and fancy dress parties.
Halloween & funeral
Relatives of Lorna Johnson, a young 56 years old grandma who died from lung cancer, found themselves in fancy dresses at Luton crematorium to celebrate her life with funeral Halloween inspired. Around a hundred people, including witches, Beetlejuice and Taz (Tasmanian Devil), paid their respects with a procession led by funeral director dressed up as Darth Vader, on Wednesday.
Neil Johnson (Lorna’s son) aged of 34 explained the ceremony showshis mother’s passion for Halloween and parties. He said “My mum’s favourite time of year was Halloween. We always had parties, dressed up, decorated the house. The kids loved it, we loved it. It was something we always did. She classed herself as a white witch and was into the tarot readings and that sort of thing.”
Neil was dressed as Taz Boy, his sister wore a witch hat and one of their friends was Beetlejuice.
Photo credits: @Steve Parsons/PA
Dancing funeral
This is the sort of ceremony is what would normally shock some people however Neil simply answered: “We’ve added an extra little personal touch to the funeral, it’s helped a lot.” During the funeral, music such as country (I’m Gonna Miss You de Dolly Parton) or trance was broadcasted, to conclude the ceremony.”
“The trance song is almost like rave music, far-out dance-type music,” he said. “I suppose for a 56-year-old lady to be into that is a little strange.”
Later, people partied. “My mum’s always said you need to celebrate, you need to have a party. So we’re not going to sit around feeling sorry for ourselves. My mum wouldn’t want that.” She’d love this idea.