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The family of a popular funeral director say they expect his final farewell will be the biggest service they’ve ever dealt with.
Terry Allen, who ran T Allen Funeral Services in Medway for 24 years, passed away aged 62 after battling sepsis and lymphoma since May.
His widow, son and daughter say they have been overwhelmed by the messages, cards and flowers they have received since his death on Tuesday.
Speaking at the family home in Wainscott while looking through boxes of old photos, his daughter says the service will celebrate his life despite him wanting a no-fuss funeral.
Helen Allen said: “He said he wanted the 8.15am at the crematorium and no service. But we said you’re not having it and he said ‘I know I’m not having it’. He meant the world to us and this is our way of showing the world.”
Terry, who was born in Deptford, London, in January 1957, left school aged 15 saying he wanted an unusual job but was laughed out of the careers office when he told them of his ambitions to be an undertaker.
He joined Francis Chappell’s in south east London working on coffins before going out on funerals and becoming a qualified embalmer.
His work included embalming famous names such as Mr Men and Little Miss author Roger Hargreaves, journalist Jean Rook and Monty Python star Graham Chapman.
But it was his life as a family man which his wife of 41 years, Lynn, says will be most missed, adding: “He always put other people first and would never be afraid of trying anything. He was just a family man and and looked after us and that was his priority.
"He was always laughing and cheery and rosy-cheeked. It’s just knocked us for six. I know it does everyone but I didn’t think we’d lose him yet, we thought we’d have another 20 years. I don’t really know how we’re going to move on from that because he was always there for us.
“He was always an ideas man with things popping in his head, his brain was going 24/7 always thinking of something or someone.
“Nothing ever fazed him. If he was on a funeral he was really focussed and didn’t care if we were half an hour late. He used to say he was cool as a cucumber but going like the clappers underneath. He wouldn’t be hurried or rushed by people.
“He would have a laugh with people and lighten the day and had a bit of banter with people even on the saddest day of their lives he could still have a bit of banter.
“We’ve done big funerals before and Terry would never fret over it. But I don’t think he would realise how many people will be coming to this one.”
Terry was planning to step back from the family-run business after opening in Strood in 1995 then expanding to Rochester, Twydall and most recently in Rainham.
He enjoyed nature, birdwatching, walking dogs in the woods, ran a disco for charity classic cars and volunteered to dress as Father Christmas for children at St Francis Church in Strood.
Terry was a classic car fan and owned three Standard Vanguards taking them to shows around the country with family and friends before selling them to set up his own business in 1995.
