Life at Death's Door

In this episode, we look at some of the incredible ways we can commemorate our dead and find out how we can conduct our own unique funeral celebrations, to better reflect the lives our loved ones have lived. Narrated by Jo Brand. What drives us to wear black, have a wooden coffin and to give our loved ones what we consider to be a “dignified” funeral at staggering expense? Before Queen Victoria, we used to bury our own – now it is almost the exclusive domain of the funeral industry and with an average funeral costing £3,500, perhaps it’s time we looked for alternatives? Life At Death’s Door, episode 2, by Ann Theato and Steve Spence. Narrated by Jo Brand, Directed by Jack Bowman Starring: David Beck, Grace Bishop, Jonathan Broke, Chike Chan, James Duckworth, Simon Fielder, Marie Fortune, Shazia Nicholls, Ekow Quartey, Joccoaa Théato and Joseph Théato and Brian Blessed. Editing and sound design by Malcolm Thorp Engineered by Carlos Zicarelli at Unity Studios, London. Original music by Polly Haynes With many thanks to University of the Arts, London ”Narrated with dry wit by Jo Brand, 'Life at Death’s Door' is an entertaining piece, ingeniously combin(ing) interviews with dramatized extracts, (which) contribut(e) greatly to our understanding of death across cultures” Laurence Raw, Radio Drama Reviews

In this episode, we look at some of the incredible ways we can commemorate our dead and find out how we can conduct our own unique funeral celebrations, to better reflect the lives our loved ones have lived. Narrated by Jo Brand. What drives us to wear black, have a wooden coffin and to give our loved ones what we consider to be a “dignified” funeral at staggering expense? Before Queen Victoria, we used to bury our own – now it is almost the exclusive domain of the funeral industry and with an average funeral costing £3,500, perhaps it’s time we looked for alternatives? Life At Death’s Door, episode 2, by Ann Theato and Steve Spence. Narrated by Jo Brand, Directed by Jack Bowman Starring: David Beck, Grace Bishop, Jonathan Broke, Chike Chan, James Duckworth, Simon Fielder, Marie Fortune, Shazia Nicholls, Ekow Quartey, Joccoaa Théato and Joseph Théato and Brian Blessed. Editing and sound design by Malcolm Thorp Engineered by Carlos Zicarelli at Unity Studios, London. Original music by Polly Haynes With many thanks to University of the Arts, London

When it comes to death, we are bad consumers. Because we don’t plan ahead, because we don’t talk about it, we are in a state of shock and exhaustion. We don’t question, we don’t shop around and it makes us very vulnerable potentially. This award winning audio documentary deals with our universal attitudes to death and dying. The first episode, in two parts, is narrated by the magnificent Brian Blessed. The following episode, also in two parts, is narrated by the fabulous Jo Brand. ♦WINNER – BEST LONG FORM DOCUMENTARY, BPR AWARDS♦ Starring: Adam Hall, Jessica Dennis, Kevin Haney, Jenny Runacre, Stephen Hill, Tom Slatter, Greg Page, Ann Theato and narrated by Brian Blessed Written By: Ann Theato and Steve Spence Edited By: Malcolm Thorp Directed By: Jack Bowman Music By: Polly Haynes

Life at Death's Door. Radio documentary. When it comes to death, we are bad consumers. Because we don’t plan ahead, because we don’t talk about it, we are in a state of shock and exhaustion. We don’t question, we don’t shop around and it makes us very vulnerable potentially. This award winning audio documentary deals with our universal attitudes to death and dying. The first episode, in two parts, is narrated by the magnificent Brian Blessed. The following episode, also in two parts, is narrated by the fabulous Jo Brand. ♦WINNER – BEST LONG FORM DOCUMENTARY, BPR AWARDS♦ Starring: Adam Hall, Jessica Dennis, Kevin Haney, Jenny Runacre, Stephen Hill, Tom Slatter, Greg Page, Ann Theato and narrated by Brian Blessed Life at Death's Door Written By: Ann Theato and Steve Spence Edited By: Malcolm Thorp Directed By: Jack Bowman Music By: Polly Haynes