A passing-on party for a man who was facing death and didn't want a funeral became exactly that when he died hours before the event. But at 2pm that same day he was due to host what he termed his "passing-on party" where 80 of his nearest and dearest would gather alongside him to celebrate his life. Wife Elizabeth Bridgeman said Noel had talked about his end of life and said he didn't want a funeral. "I simply just said 'I'm very sorry, Noel's just died so it's no longer a party for him it's a funeral. Elizabeth and Noel, who married in 2000, designed an event programme, similar to a funeral programme, and filled it with photos of Noel and positive quotes he had lived by.

Source: Stuff July 20, 2019 06:45 UTC