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A.W. Lymn has seen a rise in requests for football-themed services as families seek to reflect the lifelong passions of the deceased.
The independent funeral provider stated that tributes now range from football club-coloured ties for pallbearers to bespoke hand-painted coffins and themed hearses.
The firm, which operates 25 branches across the East Midlands, has recently managed several high-profile sporting funerals. These included services for former Notts County chief executive Jason Turner and former owner Derek Pavis. The company also provided hearses to assist in the repatriation of former Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in 2018.
Common requests include arranging for the funeral cortege to pass by a home stadium. Local clubs, including Notts County, have previously facilitated these journeys by opening stadium gates or providing staff to form guards of honour.
A.W. Lymn also noted the occasional use of a Nottingham Forest-themed red hearse for supporters of the club.
Matthew Lymn Rose, managing director of A.W. Lymn, said: “Football is woven into the identity of so many people across our region. For some families, it feels only right that their loved one’s final journey reflects the team they followed – sometimes for decades or a lifetime. It can be a simple touch such as a scarf or something much more personal and all-encompassing like a themed coffin and hearse, or passing the home stadium on the way to the service.
“Notts County in particular has always been extremely accommodating. They have opened the gates for corteges and sometimes arranged for staff to come outside and form a guard of honour. Those gestures can mean a great deal to families.”
He added: “Whether it’s a well-known name long associated with the club or a season ticket holder, every tribute matters equally to the family. Sometimes the most touching moment is simply seeing everybody wear an item of clothing – socks, tie, hat – in that team’s colours or hearing the family talk about the matches they attended together.”
