Anthony Collins when Sir David catches a cold.
A law firm has honoured Patricia Routledge, the star of Keeping Up Appearances and A Woman of No Importance, by using her death to promote its Will-making services.
Anthony Collins’ blog post, “Dame Patricia Routledge: a legacy of laughter and the wisdom of planning ahead”, cements her reputation as a national treasure by combining a moving eulogy with estate planning advice.
“The recent passing of Dame Patricia Routledge has prompted reflection not only on her extraordinary career but also on the importance of preparing for the inevitable”, explains the firm.
Segueing into the “key areas where legal planning is essential”, Anthony Collins details where its expertise would be helpful, before bringing the stunned congregation back to Routledge in a concluding section titled, “A thoughtful legacy”.
“As Routledge’s life is celebrated, take her wisdom to heart and plan for the chapters yet to come”, suggested the firm.
Its piece concluded with a quote casting Routledge as a spokesperson from beyond the grave.
It’s what she would have wanted.
Ozzy Osbourne has also been deemed worthy. In a tribute more twisted than anything the Black Sabbath frontman inflicted on bats, groupies or Christian sensibilities, he’s been reduced to SEO content in a post headed, “What can Ozzy Osbourne teach us about making a will?”
A lot, it transpires. “When we think of Ozzy Osbourne, we picture the Prince of Darkness, a rock legend with a wild past and a career that spans decades. But behind the theatrics and heavy metal anthems lies a man who, like all of us, had to face the realities of life… and death”, stated the firm, striking a more morbid tone than its tribute to Routledge.
“Ozzy Osbourne’s recent passing has sparked conversations not just about his music but also about how he prepared for the inevitable”, it suggested.
In one of the odder adverts RollOnFriday has encountered, Anthony Collins draws “Lessons from Ozzy’s final wishes” which includes making “a plan for a personal farewell”.
“It’s said that Ozzy didn’t want a sombre send-off, he envisioned a celebration, perhaps even with a few light-hearted pranks”, stated the firm.
But having your corpse sit up in the coffin to sing Children of the Grave at a funny moment doesn’t just happen – it relies on instructing solicitors. “Honouring such unique and heartfelt wishes is only possible when they’re shared in advance”, the firm reminded readers.
Happily, the heavy metal legend was on the same page as Anthony Collins: “Ozzy appears to have acknowledged the importance of making arrangements for when he was no longer around, as he is reported to have said ‘yes, a bit of planning is the right thing to do for the family you leave behind’”. ROF understands he then turned to the camera and said, ‘So instruct Anthony Collins today!’
As bizarre advertising campaigns go, though, Kearns is surely still law’s best.
