UK fisherman who died got stunning send-off after undertakers surprised family with incredible angling themed graveside
- 2 years ago
A keen fisherman who died from cancer got a stunning send-off after local undertakers surprised his family with an incredible angling themed graveside tribute.
Les Gibbins, 69, often joked with John and Mark Punton - third generation owners of J Punton & Son Funeral Directors - that they should one day take a fishing trip together.
So, when he sadly passed away in January this year, the pair decided to honour him with a burial display featuring two rods, chairs, and a pond.
Les's widow, Denise Gibbins, 67, said she was completely “knocked back” when she came to the funeral site to find the mocked-up angling scene.
But the housewife, from Snaith, East Riding, was full of praise for the local firm, who she said had allowed mourners to have a “giggle” and remember her husband fondly.
She said: “They were absolutely fantastic, they’re a lovely family. They did this fishing theme for the grave without me knowing!
“All the relatives and friends of Les, everyone who came up to the graveside, they were just knocked back by what they saw when they got there.”
“It was just unbelievable, and we were all having a giggle and a laugh, knowing that Les would be there, looking and thinking: “‘Crikey is that all for me?’"
Filmed in February 2022.
Les Gibbins, 69, often joked with John and Mark Punton - third generation owners of J Punton & Son Funeral Directors - that they should one day take a fishing trip together.
So, when he sadly passed away in January this year, the pair decided to honour him with a burial display featuring two rods, chairs, and a pond.
Les's widow, Denise Gibbins, 67, said she was completely “knocked back” when she came to the funeral site to find the mocked-up angling scene.
But the housewife, from Snaith, East Riding, was full of praise for the local firm, who she said had allowed mourners to have a “giggle” and remember her husband fondly.
She said: “They were absolutely fantastic, they’re a lovely family. They did this fishing theme for the grave without me knowing!
“All the relatives and friends of Les, everyone who came up to the graveside, they were just knocked back by what they saw when they got there.”
“It was just unbelievable, and we were all having a giggle and a laugh, knowing that Les would be there, looking and thinking: “‘Crikey is that all for me?’"
Filmed in February 2022.