I firmly believe we’re getting death wrong in the western world…. Though you seem to be getting it right. When my auntie died in her early sixties of cancer, she was very insistent being sad was awful. I was tasked with writing and performing a comedy eulogy including as many accents as possible. Talk about a tough gig. But actually, there’s a great healing power in shared laughter and it was an excellent send off. It sounds like your dad had the same.

Death and loss are always sad but this story is an excellent testament to your father and the vitality of humour as a coping mechanism. I’m always pleased when stories about laughter intersect with stories about death – it brings everything into perspective.

The funeral of comedy legend Spike Milligan is my favourite. https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/uk/2002/jun/24/simonjeffery