Death is a sad fact of life...

How we say farewell to our loved ones is a deeply personal matter, but often played out in public with family, friends and neighbours gathering to pay their respects.

Funeral traditions have, of course, changed over time and these days the removal and reposing overnight in a Church is losing ground and being replaced by the one day removal to the Church and Interment afterwards.

Floral tributes are now almost always fresh flowers and donations in lieu are often requested for the favourite charity or organisation associated with great care given prior to death.

The choice of music requested is ever expanding and more popular tunes, which remind us of certain moments or events and which help to bring out emotions are increasingly requested. Audio tributes and photographs, are also among the changes seen.

One of the old traditions, however, is still unchanged, the support and comfort given by large attendance and the great Irish favourite, story telling at the gathering around the deceased.

Families differ and some will carry out events at different times, it's a personal thing, the job of any funeral director is to guide people at a very difficult time.

What is essential is that the professionals entrusted to carry out your wishes do so in a respectful and dignified manner.