Given Covid, likely effect if HRH PP croaks.

[Alisoncc]

Thinking about big ceremonial state funerals and the like, in the light of HRH PP in hospital. There isn't a shadow of doubt in my mind that he is deserving of the best the UK can lay on, but in the light of Covid, thoughts turn to How. A month or so's delay whilst ramping up vaccines for all those likely to be involved may be acceptable.

Alison

[Opsboi]

I doubt there'll be much appetite for big ceremonial

More people would rather turn out and show appreciation for Captain Tom, I'd guess

Philip hasn't really been that popular for quite a while over here and a big send-off would create huge resentment among those who've lost aged relatives over the last year without being able to even see them pre-mortem, let alone mourn them at a proper funeral

Low-key is my bet

[TheGreenGoblin]

I doubt there'll be much appetite for big ceremonial

More people would rather turn out and show appreciation for Captain Tom, I'd guess

Philip hasn't really been that popular for quite a while over here and a big send-off would create huge resentment among those who've lost aged relatives over the last year without being able to even see them pre-mortem, let alone mourn them at a proper funeral

Low-key is my bet

+1

[llondel]

If he doesn't hang on until June he won't get his telegram.

[Groundgripper]

I don't think Stavros would want any great show anyway, considering his response to the suggestion of a big bash for his 100th.

GG

[Undried Plum]

There'd be a lying in state in St George's Chapel or Westminster Hall or somesuch locale for a week. Military guards at each corner of the catafalque with heads bowed and rifles inverted. No walk-past by the general public, probably.

A week of gobshite on the telly about what a brilliant war hero he was. The immigrant community will rejoice that a penniless immigrant, without a pot to piss in or a place to put it, can become a king without a crown in this sainted land.

Then a solemn high-speed trip to Frogmore, hopefully not on the roofrack of a Range Rover.

[Dushan]

Watching the funeral procession for Captain Tom, I found it a bit in bad taste that the hearse carrying his coffin was a Mercedes Benz. They couldn’t find a vintage Austin or RR?

[Opsboi]

Watching the funeral procession for Captain Tom, I found it a bit in bad taste that the hearse carrying his coffin was a Mercedes Benz. They couldn’t find a vintage Austin or RR?

That's a bit picky

Hearses are rather specialist vehicles

Certainly not bad taste

[Dushan]

Oh well, maybe not. I sure as hell wouldn’t want to take my last trip in A Zil, or a Volga, or a Lada.

[Alisoncc]

The last time I spoke with my daughter she was working for a funeral directors. Often driving a Mercedes van to collect bodies. Said Mercs were used for their reliability. Don't want the hearse breaking down half way through a "service", could be a bit embarrassing. "Pull to side of road to tinker with the engine, with an occupied coffin in the back".

[TheGreenGoblin]

Oh well, maybe not. I sure as hell wouldn’t want to take my last trip in A Zil, or a Volga, or a Lada.

Come, come, Comrade, you would look very good in a Zil...

Their trucks were also very good, very rugged, like a Russian woman, they would certainly get you to the funeral on time. A classic name, now only a warm memory in the hearts of true Soviet patriots, known today as "MSTs6 AMO ZIL" and a pale shadow of the mighty tribute to the Soviet automobile manufacturing industry that the socialist Zil name was.



and better a Lada (a very good car these days) than a Volga!

[Rwy in Sight]

The last time I spoke with my daughter she was working for a funeral directors. Often driving a Mercedes van to collect bodies. Said Mercs were used for their reliability. Don't want the hearse breaking down half way through a "service", could be a bit embarrassing. "Pull to side of road to tinker with the engine, with an occupied coffin in the back".

When I was in the automotive business, I was told a story by a reliable person who owned a dealership about a van, from a company headquartered in the Pacific, who went for some quick repairs while carrying such a box.

[OFSO]

Had a chat with our favourite funeral directors two years ago while creating MIL. I asked whether the engines in the Mercedes suffered from being driven so slowly. Not really, was the answer. Had a leaky door seal in my side, letting damp in. Otherwise a fine car (British bodywork, I remember).

[Hydromet]

Had a chat with our favourite funeral directors two years ago while creating MIL.

Why would you want to create one?

[Opsboi]

Had a chat with our favourite funeral directors two years ago while creating MIL.

Why would you want to create one?

Snigger

[TheGreenGoblin]

Had a chat with our favourite funeral directors two years ago while creating MIL.

Why would you want to create one?

The "m", as in MIL makes such a big difference in this case...

[ian16th]

Hearse of whatever make, wont be used. It will be a gun carriage, pulled by seamen.

[Undried Plum]

[Magnus]

If he makes it until June (and I hope so), Brenda can wake him up with tea, toast and "the" telegram.

[Rwy in Sight]

Apologies for not having a full understanding of the UK state system but who is Brenda?