Pride Month – why is it important?

We understand that being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community can bring additional challenges. These can be made harder during a bereavement where you may not be sure whether you can be open and honest at an emotional time for fear of judgement or being treated differently.

The staff at Rosedale are professionally trained to the highest of standards to ensure the bereaved can be confident that those who have died are in safe, respectful hands. The vast majority of staff have also undertaken specialist training provided by Norfolk LGBT+ Project. Whether trained or not, we are all dedicated to carrying out our duties with integrity, respect and care.

Some members of our team bring personal experience and understanding to the support we offer the LGBTQIA+ community. We also recommend the thoughtful guide by Ash Hayhurst, available on @thegoodgrieftrust website, which offers valuable information and support.

Do LGBTQIA+ funerals have to be ‘loud and proud’?

Of course not, funerals are a spectrum, and what is right for one person is not right for another. We have arranged many funerals with member of the LGBTQIA+ community where gender or sexual identity has no bearing on the type of funeral that is arranged.

People don’t know I/the person who has died is part of the LGBTQIA+ community and I want to keep that private, is that possible?

If you are our client, then we will honour your wishes. It is always better to be open and transparent with us because that enables us to better support you. You can be assured you will be treated equally and without judgement, and if you wish to keep aspects private, we will.

What if I would like a funeral that celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community?

This is no problems at all, and we have arranged funerals where this is the case, please see below an example of such a funeral.

A Proud LGBTQIA+ funeral

In 2018 we were entrusted with the care of Lizzie Vaughan, a proud transgender lady.

It was important to the family to spend as much time as possible with Lizzie leading up to the funeral, something we were able to achieve, with daily visits right up until the funeral.

The family wanted Lizzie’s funeral to reflect her larger than life character, so we worked with the family to ensure this was the case. ‘Sing With Pride’, a Norwich based choir that Lizzie was part of, attended and sung ‘Dancing Queen’. Bright colours were encouraged, and we were able to wear our alternative uniform with colourful, rainbow ties, to ensure that everyone reflected the colourful theme. Vibrant flowers. 

Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ Vaughan – words by her sister, Katie
‘Nearly four years ago my sister passed and it was Rosedale Funeral Home we entrusted her care to. My sister was male to female transgender, and from the very start they couldn’t have been more accommodating. My sister was big, bold, bright and loud, therefore we wanted a big bright LGBTQ+ send off for her –  and Rosedale did her proud, even wearing rainbow ties and big smiles (no sadness).’
‘Sing With Pride’:
‘Lizzie’s family  gave her the most wonderful funeral and we were proud to perform to say goodbye to our beloved friend. It was such a delight when everyone joined in with the recording of “Dancing Queen” which was always one of Lizzie’s favourite songs to sing at choir.’