A woman who died is literally going out with a bang – after having her ashes turned into FIREWORKS.
Tragic Annette Maunder, 55, lost her battle with cancer last month but before she passed away came up with the idea with her hubbie Gary.
Former Royal Marine, Gary, 55, has now arranged for her ashes to be blasted across the night sky.
He contacted Essex-based fireworks company, Heavenly Stars Fireworks, who took two-weeks to build the £250 specialist fireworks.
Annette is now set to be exploded across the skyline next month as part of a display in Devonport Park in Plymouth, Devon.
Her ashes are in fireworks containing gold tails, green peonies, crackling dragon eggs and red and blue chrysanthemum bursts.
Gary, from Pennycomequick, Devon, said: “She would have loved it. It’s a good way to send her off.
“Our 13 years of marriage was the best 13 years of my life. We won the battle but lost the war. She was a keeper.”
The unique display will last around two minutes, while friends and family watch from below.
It will also be in celebration of Annette’s best friend Joan’s 60th birthday, who Mr Maunders said “was with her until the end.”
He said: “She is really excited, and I’m doing it for her.”
The Cooperative Funeral Care service sell the fireworks on behalf of Heavenly Stars.
Hayley Pell, the funeral arranger at Cooperative’s Albert Road branch, said: “In many cultures the funeral is an occasion that brings the whole community together in a grand celebration of a person’s life.
“Gary has decided to do just that and, with the help of myself, Annette’s ashes have been interred into a firework. This is a fitting tribute and a great final farewell to Annette.
“This will be attended by Gary, close friends and family member’s and myself, the funeral director Kevin Nicholls, and the minister who officiated the service Reverend Kevin Bridges.”
Lee from Heavenly Stars Fireworks said: “It’s becoming more and more popular, and we have about 10 people per week ordering them.
“They’re for remembering the good times rather than the bad.”
