Comedian Janey Godley’s Funeral Plans Include Scotland-Wide ‘Final Tour’

The memorial services for comedian Janey Godley are scheduled to span two days and two cities, forming what has been described as a “final tour” across Scotland. On November 29, a hearse will proceed through Edinburgh, honoring her “beloved festival home,” prior to its return to Glasgow on November 30 for the main service. The funeral service for the comedian, who passed away on November 2 at the age of 63 following palliative care for terminal cancer, is set to be held at St Mary’s Cathedral, located in the west end of the city. Ashley Storrie, her daughter, confirmed these arrangements via social media. Godley, who achieved widespread recognition for her dubbed parodies of then-Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon’s coronavirus news briefings during the pandemic, disclosed her ovarian cancer diagnosis in November 2021. She had planned to begin a tour titled “Not Dead Yet,” but was compelled to cancel it when her health deteriorated. Godley received an all-clear in 2022; however, she announced later that year that a subsequent scan had detected indications of the illness in her abdomen. In the social media update, her daughter stated: “Here’s the details of Janey’s final tour, thank you for all the love and kindness in this past week.” “For the past few years of Ma’s life, it was important to her that she shared her journey with everyone, to offer support for others on the same path and to highlight the symptoms of Ovarian Cancer – all of course in her very singular Janey style, with laughter and candour.” “So many of you who have travelled with us on this journey wish to bid her a final farewell, so here’s the details of my mum’s final tour, in the two cities she loved with all her heart.” The hearse is scheduled to proceed along Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and Lawnmarket, including a “pause for reflection” at St Giles’ Cathedral, before continuing along Cockburn Street, Market Street, and then to Glasgow. Following the funeral on Saturday, a private service will be held at a crematorium. Ms Storrie mentioned that her mother requested attendees, if they wished, to wear bright colors to commemorate her life, rather than traditional funeral attire. She further requested that no flowers be sent, but suggested that individuals could make contributions to the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice or a charity of their preference. Godley was awarded the first-ever Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival. Her management company reported last weekend that she passed away peacefully at the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow, in the company of her loved ones. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.