UK Town Holds First Public Death Convention
From the 12th-14th of August, Bournemouth Triangle will transform into a deathly scene of hearses, as the first ever ‘Six Feet Under’ convention makes its controversial debut.
The event, described as ‘quirky’ by organiser Brian Jenner, will host unusual death-related activities including a coffin exhibition in The Triangle, where you can ‘pose’ for a coffin photo.
“It would be great to put on Facebook a picture of you lying in a coffin, waving!” Brian told BHbeat.
“I had this weird idea and I pursued it. I was approached by the progressive funeral community and they thought of the exhibition.
“The council’s very supportive, though they do have their conditions.”
These conditions have already led to the banning of a coffin made out of a decorated skip.
“I’m prepared for opposition; the more black the humour the more problems we have with it” Ö “The funeral industry isn’t really keen to get involved at all. Nobody wants to touch it, so it’s very sensitive.”
The Six Feet Under convention is based on the US drama series and will allow fans to attend lectures about the show as well as meet like-minded individuals.
Those ‘intrigued’ by funeral merchandise will also be able to see a pink hearse, doves, balloons and a hearse for pets. They will also get the chance to participate in an unlikely activity, and paint their own coffin!
But Brian knows the event won’t be everyone’s cup of tea.
He said: “I think people will be drawn to it because people are drawn to unusual things. I imagine that we’ll get some negative reactions and some extremely positive reactions.
“If you’re going to organise a death conference in Bournemouth you’re not going to get people immediately understanding what you’re doing or who’ll be hugely supportive.”
One of his reasons for organising the event was to mock the town’s reputation as ‘God’s waiting room’.
“I think that’s totally unfair but I might as well make a satirical dig at our reputation.”
Speakers including Andrew McKie, former Obituaries Editor of The Daily Telegraph and Charles Cowling, author of The Good Funeral Guide, who will be holding lectures over the weekend.
A guided tour through St Peter’s Cemetery – home to the body of Frankenstein author, Mary Shelley – will also take place on the Sunday.
