Vikki Orvice’s funeral: Tuesday February 26th, 2pm, St Leonard’s Church, Flamstead, Herts.
From her husband, Ian Ridley
It was Vikki’s wish that her funeral be conducted in the parish church where we were married and which she loved dearly, St Leonard’s, in Flamstead, Herts, then buried in the village.
This has produced some logistical challenges as neither of us was expecting the outpouring of love and respect for her, and the number of people wanting to attend. The church holds about 150 people seated and another 125 standing.
As a result, seating is being allocated in the nave of the church in the first instance to family, close friends both in the village and beyond, and to representatives of the organisations and charities that she worked with and for. Other non-allocated seating, and standing in the church, will be on a first-come, first-served basis on the day.
This is not to keep anyone away. All who want to pay their respects are welcome and I want to accommodate everyone. To that end, there will be a large overspill marquee in the church grounds and the funeral will be live-streamed in to it on big screens.
After the funeral, there will be a procession the few hundred yards to the cemetery for those who wish to join the short burial service, then refreshment in that marquee and the village hall where we can all meet and reminisce and share our memories of Vikki.
Please note that there is parking in the village dotted here and there, and there will be marshals to help ease traffic flow, but spaces are limited and people are asked to park considerately, following the instructions of the marshals. Car sharing would be an idea, if possible.
A better alternative may be a train from King’s Cross to the nearest railway station at Harpenden, which is about a 15-minute, £15/£20 taxi ride away. People might like to share cabs.
It will be marvellous to see all those people who knew, loved and admired Vikki, and I’m sure we will somehow manage to cope with the numbers on what I hope will be both funeral and celebration of her life.
She asked that there be no flowers, but if people do want to make a contribution, donations instead to the Royal Marsden Hospital.
Vikki also requested that people wear black or bright at the service. I will be wearing some of both.
Ian