Down to business

After a weekend in limbo and conversations with Australia (thanks, guys - you were great) I got down to business today. I knew it was going to be a tough day and although it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be it was still hard.

First thing, I drove over to collect Mum and take her to the hospital again. Driving in through the gates brought a lump to MY throat - goodness knows what was going through Mum's mind.

We parked up and walked through to the reception area where we were met by Dawn who took us through to the "Bereavement Office".

What this is is a windowless room with zero character and zero warmth. Essentially this a place where the paperwork starts. Here we got the Medical Death Certificate - which stated what Dad died of, the place and date of death and some doctors signatures. But it enables you to start the process off. We got some extra forms for the funeral directors (to let them collect the body) and for the registrar. All in all it was a pretty horrid experience but it could have been worse. Credit to Dawn for making it softer and easier to go through. Thanks Dawn.

From the Hospital we drove the short distance to Woolwich Town Hall. Dawn had made us an appointment for 11h30 (thanks - we would not have thought of it!) so we got there ages early. We parked in a squallid car park on top of Sainsbury's and walked round to the Town Hall. We had hoped that they would be able to fit us in earlier but it was not to be. "Sorry love, we're fully booked" - sounds like a hotel but never mind.

As we had around 90 minutes to kill I took mum to a Caffe Nero for a coffee. She's never been to a Starbucks or suchlike before so I thought it would be a novelty for her. Quick as a flash she saw the "hot chocolate with marshmallows and double cream" and there was no persuading her away from it! We made short shrift of our respective drinks (mine was an iced coffee concoction which tasted a bit like a vanilla shake) and wandered back towards the Town Hall.

Once we'd whiled away the time, we eventually went in. Repeat admin from hospital and hang around while the Registrar fills in the forms. If you need to do this bear in mind you need the dead persons passport (it was what we were asked for) and some basic information. The real thing needed is the Medical Death Certificate. More hanging around while the things print out (we wanted five proper copies of the Death Certificate) and get signed and we're on our way.

We call in at my house on the way through for a coffee and a rest and recuperate. It's hard work this. It's not so much physically hard work but mentally and emotionally it's knackering.

Off we go again - this time to Sidcup High Street to talk to the Funeral Directors. Mother and Father In Law have recommended W. Uden and Sons and after just a few minutes it's easy to see why they get recommendations. Personal, friendly, but sombre and serious service from a member of the Uden family, Jason. Young lad but very good.

We've set the funeral for the 29th June.

Dad has asked to be cremated and for his ashes to be scattered at the Royal Hospital School Holbrook's Garden of Rememberance - so that's what we're going to do. Dad went there when it was a children of navy personnel school and spent many years there from a young age. He joined the Navy straight out of the Navy School.

The Royal Hospital School is a Public (private, fee paying) school these days but friends of Dads are still in touch with the School so going there should not be an issue.

After that intense 45 minutes we went back to Mum's and she got changed and we went to the Citroen garage - Dad had made investments some years ago which paid out while he was in Hospital and were earmarked for a new car. Mum is keen on another Citroen - maybe a C2 or a second hand C3. Talk about sublime to ridiculous.

A strange day then. Not as bad as I had anticipated but still hard work. Texts from friends have helped and messages received will continue to do so as we move forward toward the Funeral and beyond

Sorry for such a long post but today was an important day. I wanted to get a lot down so I could remember it. If others read it then that's cool too.