by Uberto Pasolini
A Greek Orthodox funeral in South London with proper music, a moving speech and a single mourner: John May. Employed by the burial office, it is his job to find the relatives of the recently and solitary deceased. Although rarely successful, May loves his job, which over the years has become his sole purpose in life. Trapped in a daily routine, the lonesome perfectionist goes about his work with meticulous care, forever striving to provide the best farewell for his “clients”. One day May loses his job after the office is restructured and has one last chance to prove his professional skills. Following the trail of the alcoholic Billy Stoke, May sets about finding the dead man’s old friends and bringing them together for his funeral in London; a journey that takes him the length and breadth of England – and back into life.