My fantasy funeral would be a rum punch pub crawl

Forget the traditional coffin and hearse; Simone has no time for those formalities.

Simone, our Specialised Physiotherapist, is a unique character at St Christopher’s.

She has a way of blending her pragmatic outlook on life with a wicked sense of humour, making her the perfect person to talk to about, well, anything—including her fantasy funeral.

Since joining St Christopher’s, Simone has become more comfortable discussing the often-taboo subject of death.

“I’ve never been afraid of death or worried about it, but it just means now I’m allowed to say people have died instead of passing away,” she says. “People are afraid of using the ‘D’ word, so now I am much more open and vocal about it, and I’ve even spoken to my friends about what they want.”

So, what does Simone want for her own send-off? Forget the traditional coffin and hearse; Simone has no
time for those formalities. Instead, she would like her ashes placed in tiny, biodegradable paper bags, ready for her loved ones to either take her home or scatter her in a uniquely Simone fashion.

And what could be more Simone than a lap of the Crystal Palace triangle, scattering her ashes during a pub crawl? Her family and friends would start at The White Hart, then make their way to The Alma, The Sparrowhawk, Westow Tap, and Westow House, all the while toasting her memory with a rum punch.

“I’m not a big drinker, so they can drink a rum punch in my honour,” she suggests. And because Simone is
nothing if not practical, she insists on lots of pastries along the way to soak up the booze.
Simone’s one important request? “Only say nice things because I’m a delight,” she laughs.

When she’s not being quizzed on her final farewell, Simone is deeply invested in her work at St Christopher’s. “It’s really great. The team is lovely, the environment is lovely, and the patients are lovely. Way happier than any hospital I’ve worked in. The hospice is a celebration of life,” she says.

In fact, Simone is so content at St Christopher’s that she doesn’t think she’s ever had a happier job. “Definitely my happiest working location, and I’m not just saying that because I still work here!”

In the end, Simone’s fantasy funeral is a reflection of her – joyful, unconventional, and full of life. Just like her work at St Christopher’s, it’s all about celebrating the moments, big and small, that make life worth living. And if you happen to see a group of merry mourners with pastries in hand and a hint of ash in the air, raise a rum punch to Simone.

:: This story was from our Autumn/Winter issue of Connect magazine. To read the full magazine, or to sign up to receive future editions, please click here.