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RONA BORLAND SAYS SHE DOES NOT SEE THE POINT IN CELEBRATING SOMEONE'S LIFE ONCE THEY HAVE PASSED 10:16, 30 May 2025 A woman who suffered a near-death experience held a funeral to

celebrate her life - while still alive. Rona Borland, 64, planned the event after recovering from breast cancer and almost being hit by a car while walking her dog. The ceremony and wake

cost around £1,500, took place in Hawkesyard Hall, Stafford, and involved 40 guests, a celebrant, comedian and living statue. Her stepdaughter, Terri Underhill, 41, and her

step-grandchildren - Hallie, 22, and Archie, three - were all in attendance. Rona wanted to celebrate her life with her loved ones but her idea was controversial - with some friends refusing

to attend. While Rona is in remission, her husband, Robert Underhill, 69, a retired NHS biomedical scientist, was diagnosed with palliative thyroid cancer in October 2024. He did not have

his own funeral but was supportive. Rona, a nurse, from Stafford, said: "Why celebrate afterwards? “It goes with both of our values about living in the now and celebrating. We’ve always

felt like the funeral business is a rip off. You spend all this money because you want the best for your loved ones. But really, what’s the point of having a top-end coffin when it’s going

to go up in smoke - literally?" Rona was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2014 after a routine mammogram and it made her think about mortality and want to appreciate life. She was

lucky to recover after radiotherapy and medication and lumpectomy and has been in remission for years. But after being told she was in remission in 2017, she was dealt another blow when her

husband, Robert, was diagnosed with palliative thyroid cancer. He does not know how long he has left. “It was devastating, really," Rona said. “But because we both work in the health

service, we know of people who are a lot worse than us - they get diagnosed with pancreatic cancer or whatever and they're gone in a few months. “So we try not to dwell on it, and get

on and live life and go on lots of holidays. But for us both to have it so near each to other was a real kick in the teeth. It's scary. On the other hand, it helps us to appreciate life

and to do things that we wouldn't normally do while we’re still well.” Living funerals have been gaining popularity across Japan since the 1990s, where they’re known as seizenso -

"funeral while living" - with the aim of alleviating pressure from family members or friends organising a funeral after someone had died. Rona did not want her living funeral to be

“sad and miserable and black” so arranged an “upbeat” ceremony - and attendees wore rainbow colours. She created a video in which she wore wings and a halo. The comedian made “upbeat but

appropriate” jokes as Rona did not want to be disrespectful to religious people. The living statue was dressed like an angel and stood in reception. Rona said: “It was very fitting of the

venue because it was full of old things. People would come in and he would touch their shoulders, and they'd go through the roof. I thought: ‘They better have a defib here, the age of

the people that attended.’ It was fun.” The couple collected donations for their local hospice. Rona enjoyed the event and said people didn’t know what to expect but many thought it was a

good idea. The celebrant spoke about her and Robert’s love story and Robert gave a speech about her, which she said was “sad but lovely”. Some people did not attend - Rona’s brother, Martin

Borland, 69, who was unwell, and some colleagues and friends. Rona said she expected there to be a mixed response. She said: “One of our good friends said: ‘I don't approve of that.

I'm not coming.’ "They were more into the traditional funeral, and felt that funerals are for the grieving, not for the living. Nobody came from my current work except the admin

lady. I was aware that it was going to be unusual and it was out of the norm. “I respect everybody's individual beliefs and opinions. People were really up for it and said it was a

great idea. Another lady had already had one herself because she had cancer. “The people who were against it thought it was a bit egocentric. They said things like: ‘That would be awful. I

wouldn't want to hear people saying nice things about me,’ and that they didn't want to be the centre of attention. But I think it’s because it's so new and you know what

people are like with new things. “I wanted to spread the word and to give people in similar situations to us with cancer and perhaps with a more life-limiting illness like dementia the

opportunity to celebrate with their families. It just makes sense to me. I feel more at peace that I've said what I wanted to say to people, I've said my thank yous and whatnot.”

BREAKDOWN OF COST OF THE DAY: £1,500 total £600 on celebrant £300 on comedian. £100 on catering Article continues below £200 living statue £300 on venue