A.W. Lymn reveals increasing specialism in Traveller funerals

A.W. Lymn, which claims to be the “premium provider” for Travellers’ funerals, has revealed the range of options it provides for funerals in the community. The funeral director said Traveller funerals are “extremely unique” and that the accommodation of traditions, personal requests and preferences were important, from large floral displays, to gold-plated caskets and VIP red carpets leading to the graveside, to compiling the eulogy from a selection of texts, WhatsApp messages and voice notes from the family. It said it provides the cars, floral tributes, doves, plane flyovers, gazebos and screens with videos of memories of their loved ones playing. It also keeps a range of high value caskets in stock, and has the largest collection of Rolls Royce Phantom VII cars in the world, which are a “firm favourite” of the Traveller community. The group said it also supports other funeral directors across the country with Traveller funerals. Matthew Lymn Rose, managing director at A.W. Lymn, said: “We pride ourselves on the speed of being in touch with families that need our support. We pick up the phone as soon as we can, at any time, day, or night. This is hugely important to the Traveller community. “We carry out as many requests for funerals as possible, no matter how niche they may be and will only say no if we cannot fulfil what’s being asked of us. For example, more and more I have been asked to deliver the eulogy myself at Traveller funerals, from a compilation of written pieces across various media, which is not only a huge honour but a testament to how much this community trusts our family business.” He added: “A survey carried out by Traveller Movement, a national Gypsy, Roma and Traveller charity, found that, in 2017, 91% of the 199 respondents had experienced discrimination and 77% had experienced hate speech or a hate crime. This is truly shocking. We have worked closely with this community for decades and we have only positive, warm things to say about all the families we have looked after. “We understand the gravity of the stigma and discrimination that people from Traveller communities receive. A.W. Lymn is a funeral provider for all communities, backgrounds, and people, we never discriminate, and work hard to understand every culture, religion, and request.”