There's a bit more to it than I mentioned. The local suburb of poole ( Broadstone) is fortunate in having a Parade of shops with quite a community feel. There's a local Am Dram group, Horticultural society, Brownies, Cubs, Marching band etc etc.
East year there is a Christmas Parade, they close the Road for half an hour or so while the various groups / floats / bands march past. It's quite well attended and the local shops support it really well. One of the Butchers sets up a BBQ outside the shop with all the money taken going to a local charity. The Funeral Directors I mentioned has an " Open House " which is very popular indeed. The local M+S foot hall sends over boxes and boxes of Mince Pies and other goodies. The viewing Room is decorated with tinsel and they set up a Table with three bowls of Punch. My mate is in charge of the refreshments so there's one bowl of fruit punch for the people who don't want alcohol, there's a one bowl filled with Mulled wine, and best of all there's the "Special bowl" which is filled with mulled wine and then they tip a bottle of Rum into it to "Spice it up a bit ".
The staff dress up as Elves and hand round the food and drink, everyone is welcome and once people get over the initial nervousness of stepping over the threshold into a Funeral Directors they soon get into the spirit of things. There's all age groups popping in during the day, and it helps to "normalise" the Funeral business. While there's a fair bit of levity and banter, there's also a kind and sensitive tone. Some who have lost their loved ones over the preceding years will often pop back in for a chat.
My mates usual parting shot when I'm headed out the door and I say "See you Steve" is " Might be sooner than you think, Kev"
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