NO to a state funeral for Captain Sir Tom Moore AIBU?

[Muncher75]

Just that really. I’ve just been sent an email from change.org asking me to sign a petition to push for a state funeral for him.
Now don’t get me wrong he was a remarkable man and an inspiration... but a state funeral? That will cost us, the taxpayer money we definitely cannot afford in the currant climate. Also I’m sure he’d rather the money go where it’s needed.

In fact, I think they used the existing plans for the QM’s funeral to pull Diana’s funeral together at short notice.

Putting on a state funeral for Sir Tom would be classic Performance Grieving - remember some of the more distasteful aspects of the media chatter about Diana's funeral anyone? I do think a statue or an annual award in his name would be good memorials for him.

Surely it’s entirely up to the family what sort of funeral he has.
Change.org should concentrate on things that actually matter.

Oh I see several people have said that Thatcher didn't have one.

They're doing a great job of ruining the memory of a good man and the things he stood for with this nonsense.

His family should get to decide what is done and they have said they don't want fuss.

After the pandemic restrictions have significantly eased, a memorial service in a large location eg Hyde park where all bereaved families could be invited, seems far more appropriate. Over 100,000 have died, most have loved ones who are missing them and quite frankly, some were much younger and their death far less expected.

A separate thanksgiving for all those who have worked tirelessly throughout this pandemic especially the forgotten ones eg the food manufacturers, the refuse collectors, the technicians in hospitals that manage the oxygen supply, the vicars and funeral directors ...

As for the drs and nurses, an extra weeks leave to be taken before the end of 2022 seems a fitting gift from us taxpayers, it's small but should be appreciated more than clapping!

Perhaps when we are on the other side we can have a mass commemorative event honouring all those who died.

I don't think this is fair on the people who were unable to even attend the funerals of their children in the first wave. It's grotesque. And surely it will negate a bunch of the money he raised?
Oh wait I forgot, people think big funerals pay for themselves.

They should set up an annual award in his name where the government increases the budget for the NHS.

@Chicchicchicchiclana @SerialThreadHider
Don’t click on it then! Not rocket science!

I agree with you.
I received the same email.

I actually think a statue wouldn't be a bad thing we clearly need to get rid of the slave traders statues anyway

I've been disappointed with some of the more contrarian posts on his passing but talk of a state funeral is ridiculous.

He seemed pleasant and had a successful fundraiser. It's a little odd in some ways that he turned into the national mascot he did, but his was a nice, soft-news story at a very difficult time so if that resonated with people, great.

I'm sure many will remember him fondly but this is all getting a little silly now.

@pukkatea - YES

Of course not.

Aside from the ridiculousness of a state funeral for an “ordinary” person, the pomp and crowds of a state funeral are entirely inappropriate in the current circumstances, it would likely end up a super spreader event

Normal funeral for a normal man. He achieved a lot in his life but so did lots of other people. He was just in the right place at the right time to capture attention at the start of this pandemic.

He is absolutely amazing, don't get me wrong.

But no special treatment.

The man already got a knighthood for doing what many people do. I wouldn't begrudge him that, but it doesn't need to go any further.

He was a nice man, whose story came along at just the right time. A national treasure, but not a 'hero', IMHO

What the hell is going on with the hysteria in this country?!

His grandson has already said that Captain Sir Tom would want a small funeral. I think the family will have just that - a small, private, funeral.

It doesn't matter what anyone else wants. What he and his family want are all that matters. It is lovely to pay tribute to him but I think the family now need to be allowed to grieve privately and all the people slagging them off need to fuck off.

No, it's ridiculous. Nor a statue, it's bonkers. He was a perfectly nice guy who did a good thing, which thanks to his family's use of SM made it go viral and raised a lot of money. He was profusely thanked and honoured for it while he was still around to appreciate it.

No state funeral.
Such funerals are not possible at the moment anyway and I don't think Captain Tom would have wanted a massive funeral with TV cameras and all the rest when everyone else has to make do with a simple funeral with very restricted numbers.

Sorry I think it's a ridiculous idea.

Wouldn’t be surprised if his daughter was behind it, she seems to have been the driving force of the whole thing and courts the publicity.

@Daydreamsinglorioustechnicolor

I think people need to leave it to his family. At the end of the day he was a normal family man. Yes, inspirational and someone to be admired and missed. But let's not invade the family's privacy and make it all about us.

I agree. He did an amazing thing, but the public don’t own him. His family are the ones who knew and loved him and only they should be making these decisions. Time to leave them in peace I say.

Just no. This is ridiculous. The whole Captain Tom thing has become a vulgar PR construct - and I doubt this was his intention personally.