NURSE IS 'AT PEACE' AFTER ATTENDING HER OWN FUNERAL

A MIDLAND woman has held a funeral to celebrate her life - while she was alive to see it.

- LILY SHANAGHERE

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 took place in Hawkesyard Hall, Stafford, and involved 40 guests, a celebrant, comedian and living statue.

Rona wanted to celebrate her life with her loved ones and her stepdaughter Terri Underhill, 41, and step-grandchildren Hallie, 22, and Archie, three, came to the ceremony, where donations for a local hospice were collected.

But Rona’s idea was controversial, with some friends refusing to attend.

While Rona is in now remission, her husband, Robert Underhill, 69, a retired NHS biomedical scientist, was diagnosed with palliative thyroid cancer in October 2024, and although he did not have his own funeral, supported Rona.