Hearses exhibition attracts 500 to crematorium (From This Is Wiltshire)

Hearses exhibition attracts 500 to crematorium

7:30am Tuesday 4th August 2009

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More than 500 people attended an exhibition of funeral vehicles past and present at West Wiltshire Crematorium in Semington on Sunday raising hundreds of pounds for Dorothy House Hospice.

The event saw hearses of all shapes and sizes on show, including horse-drawn hearses, a Rolls Royce fleet, an American cadillac, as well as bright white and pink limousines.

There was also a motorcycle hearse for the Harley fans, while lorry fans were able to view the famous Wiltshire funeral lorry.

As well as these, there were Victorian hand biers, local funeral directors on hand to speak to families, as well as florists from across the county and even Heavens Above fireworks company, which specialises in placing ashes in fireworks.

Crematorium manager Nick Pearce said: “It was an absolutely fantastic day, we were expecting around 100 people here but around 500 turned up in the end, with 300 taking an interest in what goes on behind the scenes at the crematorium. All of the vehicles were a huge hit.

“We planted a tree especially for the event and the bereaved were able to place a label bearing the person’s name to be planted with a tree of life that will be positioned in the grounds with a commemorative plaque.”

Visitors were treated to strawberries and cream on the lawns, courtesy of the Lamb on the Strand pub and were invited, along with the exhibitors, to make a contribution to the Dorothy House Hospice.

The final amount raised for the hospice has not yet been worked out.

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