Hush your North and South, this Cockney funeral is no porkie pie
MOURNERS couldn't Adam and Eve it when a quirky priest delivered a funeral eulogy in cockney rhyming slang.
Father John Taylor offered solace to friends and family of 60-year-old Mary Stephenson, of Birchington, with the story of Genesis in the style of Del Boy.
About 50 friends and family laughed as Reverend Taylor held the service at Margate Crematorium on Friday morning.
Mrs Stephenson's daughter Karen, 36, of Dean Rise, Margate, said: "I just couldn't stop laughing. It was so funny. Mum meant so much to me. She was such a fun person."
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Mourners waved their arms as if they were footy fans on the terraces when West Ham Football Club anthem I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles was played during the service.
The life-long happy hammer's coffin was draped in a West Ham flag.
Son-in-law Martin Embury said: "Mary didn't like a fuss. This was more fitting for her life, she was always fun. She was hard working, and always spoke her mind. It would have been what she wanted."
Later during the service, some of Mr Stephenson's immediate family broke down as they were invited to say their last goodbyes.
Mary Stephenson died last week from natural causes. She leaves three children and eight grandchildren.
The former laundry factory worker made a large group of friends while scanning her CB radio, and later through Facebook.
Reverend Taylor said it was important services spoke to people in their own language.
He said: "I like to do things a little bit differently.
"I think for lots of people it's hard when they go to church – they want it to be less religious. We have to talk on their level.
"If it's too serious I don't think people release anything.
"People should have what makes them feel better on the day. What the church thinks is good is not relevant at all."
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