Funeral & Memorial
Arranging a Baptist funeral
If you or a family member wants a Baptist funeral, make this a funeral wish which you have agreed with your loved ones and executor. More
Paul Hensby
Paul trained as a copywriter and journalist at the Reader’s Digest before working for a number of publications, including The Director Magazine, the monthly publication of the IoD which he edited for two years.
He then moved into PR and media management, working for Westminster City Council, the Local Government Training Board and then appointed as Director of Communications at the National Lottery Charities Board (now the Big Lottery Fund). Following a period of freelance consultancy work, he launched the website My Last Song in 2006. As well as advising on secular and religious music and readings for funerals, wakes and celebrations, it covered age related illness, probate and financial issues for the older demographic.
Now semi-retired on the North Norfolk coast, Paul is a contributing editor to Final Choices, using his wealth of experience as a copywriter and expert on the increasingly complex lifestyle issues concerning those entering the autumn of their years.
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End of Life Planning
How to tell family and friends about terminal illness
The shock of a terminal diagnosis can have a huge emotional impact on your loved ones. Paul Hensby looks at how best you can help them come to terms with your prognosis. More
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End of Life Planning
Who decides whether assisted dying is right or wrong?
Assisted dying. Paul Hensby argues that people living with terminal illness must have a choice over their end of life care and also the legal right, if required, to an assisted death. More
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End of Life Planning
The more we know about death, the less we will fear it
Fear of dying is reduced if we know the facts, plan for the inevitable, involve our loved ones and try to have a ‘good death’. This piece acknowledges the importance of knowing how cancer kills...More
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Funeral & Memorial
What to do with the ashes of a loved one after a cremation
After a cremation, what do you do with the ashes? Families are finding ever-more creative ways to celebrate end of life from birdbaths to fireworks. More
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Family & relationships
Loss of a pet can help children understand that death is part of life
The death of a pet can be used in a positive way which will help young children understand the issues around death and involve them in suitable memorials. More
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Funeral & Memorial
Cost of Dying report reveals soaring cost of funerals
The cost of dying has risen by more than eight percent in a single year. Paul Hensby questions can you really afford not to plan your funeral in advance? More
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Funeral & Memorial
Faith remains important factor in funeral rites of ethnic communities
The country was deeply saddened at the drowning of five young Tamils at Camber Sands last month. The tragedy highlighted the continued importance of faith-based funerals in the UK. More
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Funeral & Memorial
Direct cremation - a cost-effective solution to rising funeral costs?
A direct cremation is considered the cheapest form of funeral but cost is not its only advantage. As Paul Hensby explains simplifying your funeral can give you and your family the time and money to...More
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Family & relationships
What to do when a loved one dies abroad
After the death of a relative or friend abroad you will have many questions to find answers to. What should I do now? How can I communicate with people in a foreign language? Who can I turn to for...More
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Funeral & Memorial
Gene Wilder exits stage left, aged 83, after complications caused by his Alzheimer's
Gene Wilder, who has died aged 83, was a complex and admirable man, who like many gifted comedians, had his own well-hidden demons. More
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Health & Care
Government must plan for increase in dementia cases over next 20 years
New 'dementia atlas' highlights areas with low quality services and patient care but fails to suggest solutions. More
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Funeral & Memorial
What are the benefits of a prepaid funeral plan?
A prepaid funeral plan can help protect your family from the unexpected cost and distress of arranging an 'at need' funeral. We take a look at why it is a product we should all...More
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Health & Care
Keeping fit means keeping younger
Delay the ageing process, and feel better, by doing more exercise. More
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Family & relationships
Bereavement support - useful resources for family and friends
The shock and grief of the sudden, unexpected death of a loved one can leave you and your family bewildered, confused and in need of emotional support. Here is a list of useful bereavement...More
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Health & Care
Angina and heart disease
Angina and heart disease become more common as we age. This advice can help you spot 'heart trouble' early. More
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Financial & Legal
How Brexit affects expats
Older expats living in warmer European countries will eventually be affected by the vote to leave the EU... More
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Financial & Legal
Will writing: when it's too late, it really is too late!
A majority of adults still haven't made a Will! Here are the stats... More
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End of Life Planning
Creating a death plan - why is it necessary?
A death plan allows you to relieve the burden of decision making from the shoulders of those you love and creates the opportunity for a peaceful end of life. More
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End of Life Planning
Allowing natural death - whose decision counts?
Should we have the right to make the decision on assisted dying when the time comes? More
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End of Life Planning
Your Will: Having the last laugh
Paul Hensby takes a lighthearted look at the contents of a Will ... and how you can have the last laugh on circling relatives. More
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Family & relationships
Choosing the right care home for a loved one
Choosing a care home is huge step and you need to be sure your parent or partner will be comfortable, happy and well looked after. But where do you start? This check list of questions will help...More
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Health & Care
Diabetes and older people
Older people who develop diabetes may go untreated due to other age-related ailments. Read this guide if you think a relative has developed the condition. More
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Health & Care
Deciding when hospice care is needed
Hospice care can be an end of life service allowing terminally ill patients to die without pain or suffering, but deciding when it is needed can be a painful decision for families More
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End of Life Planning
Planning pet care and wellbeing after we are gone
Who will care for your pets once you are gone or too infirm? Make sure the wellbeing of your beloved pooch or cat is secured before it becomes an issue More
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Health & Care
Hot weather health risks for older people
A look at the causes and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, and how to treat and prevent it. Older people are particularly susceptible during hot weather, so this is useful advice for...More
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Health & Care
How the young can help limit isolation and mental health issues in older relatives
Mental health issues among our rapidly growing older population are reaching crisis proportions, but as is the case with many problems affecting the elderly, they are not being properly addressed. More
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Family & relationships
Cut the notice period for families of deceased sheltered housing residents
Bereaved families can face a bill for thousands of pounds as a result of this hurtful and unfair 28-day notice period. More
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Funeral & Memorial
How to arrange a Congregationalist funeral
Congregationalists believe in a spiritual life after death so, although funerals are a sad occasion for family and friends, there is thanksgiving for a person’s life and hope for their continued...More
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End of Life Planning
Letter of wishes as a complement to a Will
The Letter of wishes complements your Will and enables you to list who gets those items of limited financial worth but of great sentimental value. More
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Financial & Legal
What to consider when writing your own Will
You will save time and money by preparing a useful list of information to discuss with your solicitor or will writer when you decide to make your will. More
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Financial & Legal
Reasons to leave a legacy to charity
Approximately 67 per cent of people in this country gave money to charitable causes in 2015*, only seven per cent leave money to charity as a legacy in their Will. So here are reasons to leave...More
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Family & relationships
Sex and older people - only the media believe it's taboo
As we grow older many of us want to continue an active, satisfying sex life. But age can sometimes complicate things. More
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Family & relationships
What to do when someone dies?
Reactions of sorrow, confusion and feeling helpless are common when faced with the death of a loved one. More
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Family & relationships
When a pet dies - coming to terms with the loss of your trusty old friend
It is possible to arrange a funeral for a pet with as much dignity and sensitivity as we give to our human loved ones. More
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End of Life Planning
Write your own obituary
Why should only the famous or infamous have obituaries? More
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Funeral & Memorial
Are religious hymns still relevant in 21st century Britain?
Do religious hymns remain relevant to people in grief or are they just an accepted feature of church-based funerals? The Reverend Canon Peter Moger, Precentor, York Minster answers. More
