Thank you both. As I've said before, you lot on TP have been such a help. I can't quite believe it's only been a few weeks since I registered here.
I suppose there are always dilemmas after someone's death. My daughter wants so much to see Dad in the funeral home, as does my Mum. I am happy with the fact I saw him just after he died. I have no unhappy memories of that. My daughter wants to see him without the oxygen etc. Mum thinks she's too young but I think my little girl (hardly little! she towers over me) has shown such maturity that I am happy for her to go. Mum wants to go as she was so upset at the hospital and she wants to see him clean-shaven and in a suit.
I think any of you who have read my posts have probably worked out that I was close to my Dad. Very much like him, warts and all! I know that he'd just want us all to do whatever we wanted.
Been going through some stuff of Dad's today. I can't believe the photos, cards, newspapers that he's kept. So many photos of him in Singapore during the war. A certificate for winning a prize at school in 1936. Photos of his football team winning various cups. Retirement photos. And so many birth, marriage and death certificates from my Mum's family. I think he must have filed them away when Mum's Mum died. Weirdly, tonight we have discovered so many things we didn't know.
Fred, if you read this, Queen's truly is a joke, although we were fortunate that for the last few hours Dad was moved to a private room to die with some dignity and privacy. I share your thoughts about the car parking. What a bloody disgrace! I have not had the energy so far to write to complain but I am in the process of composing a letter to my MP, who I believe is very critical of the hospital. I don't want anyone else to go through the same ordeal. I am so sorry your Anna suffered so.
Love to you all, Philippa xx