Raunchy author Dame Jilly Cooper planned out her funeral before her death as she had some very specific requests when it came to her final outfit, songs and headstone
Author Dame Jilly Cooper laid out her funeral wishes in great detail before her death aged 88, as her family certainly know how she wants to be celebrated. The raunchy novelist died on Sunday following a fall as her children shared the sad news yesterday.
Just last month, she made what would be her final public appearance as she met with friend Queen Camilla at a literary event. Jilly’s death was announced by her family as her children Felix and Emily said: “Mum, was the shining light in all of our lives.
“Her love for all of her family and friends knew no bounds. Her unexpected death has come as a complete shock.” They confirmed they are planning a private funeral in line with her wishes and said there will also be a public service of thanksgiving will be held in Southwark Cathedral sometime in the future.
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Before her death, Jilly shared her detailed funeral plans as she admitted her will didn’t mention what she wanted. Jilly revealed that she wanted her death to be announced in the papers “because it would stop people ringing up and asking if I could open a fete the following week.”
The beloved author said she knew she “should be an organ donor” and went off the idea of wanting to have a burial. She admitted a “cremation might be easier” but wanted to go out in style on the day.
Jilly shared: “For my own funeral, I think I’d want to look quite tidy, wearing a bra and a trouser suit, because of my legs. And I’d like a photograph of Leo and the children in the coffin.”
She added she would also want champagne, chocolates, and a copy of Pope John Paul II’s record. Jilly wrote in the Daily Mail that she wanted two priests to conduct her service, Mr Farrow and her friend Father Damian of Prinknash Abbey.
The Rivals author wanted to hear Mahler’s Symphony of a Thousand, played by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Opera House orchestra and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra at the funeral.
She also wanted Lacrimosa from Verdi’s Requiem, Good Friday music from Wagner’s Parsifal and the Brideshead Revisited music to be played. For her readings, Jilly requested a poem by WE Henley, Lord Byron’s So We’ll Go No More a-Roving and a poem by Christina Rossetti.
Jilly requested her family celebrate with a party in their Gloucestershire garden with all her friends. She had also planned out her headstone, which she wanted to be made by Roger Venables.
The best-selling author wanted her dates as well as an engraving of her “best dog” Barbara on the stone. “‘Jilly wasn’t quite so silly’ would be a lovely epitaph, but is too trite,” she said.
“There is a wonderful one for the explorer Alexander Laing: ‘Something strong and genial and immensely kind has gone out of this world.’ It would not work for me, because I’m not strong.”
She added: “Schubert’s gravestone shows him arriving in Heaven, looking very surprised, and an angel putting a laurel wreath on his head. In my dreams, I’d like to have an angel putting a wreath on me. But I think it is rather unlikely.”
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