Grim Reaper arrives at woman’s funeral as part of final wishes

Those who saw Sharon Tufts’ funeral, which featured a grim reaper and a group of people dressed in white, might have thought the ceremony was akin to a Halloween party rather than a memorial service, which is It’s excusable.

But not everyone knew the 68-year-old, who retained her sense of humor until the end of her life.

The eccentric mother-of-four decided she would plan her departure down to every detail, including a funeral at Broad Street Green Church in Maldon, Essex.

Mrs. Tufts, who died in 2022 after being diagnosed with breast cancer that had spread to her lungs, had hoped that the “Grim Reaper” would attend her funeral before her death, and her 49-year-old daughter Louise Miller made it happen. One wish.

Six months before Ms Tufts died on December 7, Ms Tufts’ daughter’s best friend, Kenny Rossington, 59, raised the issue when she was discussing her funeral arrangements. idea.

Rossington joked that he would attend funerals dressed as “The Grim Reaper” and announce to guests, “You’re next.”

Ms Miller from Essex told us independent: “Mom thinks this is a really good idea.

“He played the role perfectly, standing at the back of the church without saying a word – he did make some people jump, but the guests were forewarned.”

The masked, robed figure stood out boldly against the backdrop of guests, who were asked to wear white rather than black.

Before her illness, Sharon worked as a machine installer in a factory that produced tables and chairs for schools. In her free time, she has several creative hobbies including sewing, painting, knitting, and crocheting.

She later turned to Christianity, joined a church that held funerals, and took her death in stride, convinced that she would meet Jesus when her life was over.

Mrs. Tufts even chose to have her cremated before the ceremony so that her ashes could be displayed in the front of the church.

Ms Miller said: “She was an amazing person and when you think of funerals you think of sadness and people crying. A lot of people said they really enjoyed it, people stamping their feet to the lively music – it was Best funeral I’ve ever been to.”

As lively religious songs played throughout the funeral, Ms. Tufts made another unusual request—that the italian donkey dominique, An Italian Christmas song in memory of her Italian friend Maria.

The church is filled with mementos from Mrs. Taff’s life, including a sewing machine, a dart board, photographs, birthday cards and old school reports.

The guests then headed to the local Heybridge Inn, where Ms Tufts played cards.

Ms Miller said: “It helped my grieving process because when I look back at her funeral I don’t remember it being a sad moment and it makes me smile.”

Mrs Tufts’ last request before her death was that her ashes be spread on Ben Nevis by her grandson and husband Tony Tufts, 59.