Vicar of Dibley Gives Eulogy at ‘Living Funeral’
Since writing recently (8 June 2024) about Gavin’s ‘living funeral’ and hearing Andrea Driessen’s TED Talk in which she tells of sharing her eulogy for her father, there have been many such stories in the news.
Dawn French revived her Vicar of Dibley role to give the eulogy for Kris Hallenga who is living with stage four breast cancer. Kris decided that she wanted a FUNeral so that she could be “drunk on love and gratitude.”
She added, “I want to celebrate a life that I have truly loved surrounded by people I loved.”
How did it go? Kris reported:
“The eulogy ‘blew my heart into smithereens’ as did the ‘loving/funny/embarrassing speeches’.”
“I’ve never felt love like it. I’ve never felt joy like it. I’ve never felt such kinship with mortality. I’ve never felt so alive.”
How did others find this ‘living funeral’? Feedback from others attending:
“10/10 would recommend.”
“Exploring your impermanence.”
“A gateway to appreciation of life.”
“Crying and laughing at the same time?”
“Do it.”
Story Source: Rebecca Lawrence, “Dawn French Revives Vicar of Dibley to Perform a Moving ‘Eulogy’ at a ‘Living Funeral’ for a friend,” Daily Mail, 14 June 2024.
Explore More: ‘Eulogies for the Living,’ Blog, Eulogies for You, 8 June 2024.
Image: Kris Hallenga and Dawn French. Credit: Dawn French/Instagram.