Beyond’s Controversial Cremation Advertisements – Distasteful and Offensive, or a Way to Get Us Talking?
The recent and controversial advertisements by cremation service provider Beyond have caused much debate, particularly since their ban by Transport for London on the grounds they were likely to cause “serious and widespread offence”.
The promotion of “Once in a lifetime! *One Way” and “870° trips”, showing holiday revellers in beachwear, brandishing coffin-lids like surfboards is arguably more apt as a dark satire of the advertising industry than for public display on advertising hoardings. You can perhaps see why some tube commuters found them to be in poor taste.
Ian Strang, co-founder of Beyond told the i newspaper on 1st August 2018 that: “Our reluctance to talk about death is the reason funeral costs continue to spiral and why you pay far too much for writing a will.”
Whereas the point about the widespread reluctance to discuss death is well made, the implied justification for the advert itself was joined by an assumption that writing a will is expensive. There are daily examples of legal disputes stemming from death estates and home-made wills to demonstrate that the problems caused by failing to have a professionally drawn will are actually significantly more expensive. Several-and often many- thousands of pounds of unintentional legal fees can be spent on an inheritance dispute. It is a safe bet that those bearing such legal costs agree, at least now, that a properly-drawn will provides significant value for money.
“To the well-organised mind, death is but the next great adventure.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
GA’s wills, trusts and probate department can provide a professional will writing service on a fixed-fee basis, ensuring value for money and clarity when it is needed. You can call the team on 01752 203500 or fill in the contact form.
If you have a will dispute, then please email me directly on matthew.ellis@GAsolicitors.com or call 01752 203500.