Gavin and Stacey star Joanna Page has a rather unconventional plan for her final farewell – and it involves her beloved dog’s remains. The actress revealed a deeply personal wish to be buried with a cherished piece of her past, a desire that led to a rather unusual request of her husband.
The story unfolded during a conversation on the “Shged Married Annoyed” podcast, where Page discussed the sentimental value she places on objects and memories. But her own example took hosts Chris and Rosie Ramsey, and listeners, completely by surprise.
Page envisions a coffin filled not just with herself, but also with a lifetime of her children’s artwork – every drawing, painting, and creation that has adorned her family’s walls. It’s a testament to the importance of those small, everyday moments.
However, the plan didn’t stop there. She extended this heartfelt wish to include Daisy, her Jack Russell terrier, whom she considers her “first child.” Daisy held a special place in her heart, having been her companion from the age of 21 through sixteen years of life’s adventures.
When Daisy passed away from old age, Page couldn’t bear the thought of cremation. Instead, she arranged a touching burial, laying her beloved pet to rest in her basket, surrounded by flowers and a comforting blanket – a scene she described as utterly heartbreaking.
But a house move presented a dilemma. Leaving Daisy behind was unthinkable. So, she asked her husband, James Thornton, to undertake a rather unique task: to exhume Daisy’s remains.
Armed with a head torch, Thornton carefully dug up Daisy, placing her in a large, clear box. The box now resides in the garage, awaiting a permanent resting place in the garden of their future forever home.
Page’s ultimate vision is clear: if she passes before they settle, the entire box – Daisy included – will join her in the coffin. “Pour all of that on me as well,” she instructed, a poignant expression of enduring love and a desire to be surrounded by everything she holds dear.
