On Thursday 2 September 2010 QSA launched its latest poverty relief project at St. Ethelburga's Centre in London. Down to Earth aims to support recently bereaved people on low incomes to cope with the costs of funerals, as well as campaigning for a culture of fairer funerals and pre-planning for death at times of less immediate need.
The event emphasised the value of using creative, simple and poignant ceremonies to celebrate a life, rather than the costly, off-the-peg Victoriana still peddled by many in today's funeral industry. The venue was decorated with an art installation by our very own Gerry Smith. We were delighted to also host a selection of cremation urns designed by celebrities to mark the start of the Dying Matters Awareness week, organised by the Dying Matters Coalition.
Click on thumbnails to enlarge. | Down to Earth Launch Gallery | September 2nd 2010 | ||
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Working initially in Tower Hamlets and Hackney in partnership with St. Joseph's Hospice, Down to Earth recruited and trained a network of volunteer funeral mentors. From November 2010, these community-based mentors began supporting bereaved people in financial difficulties to plan meaningful funerals, without getting into serious debt.
