Funeral director John Walker spent more than 25 years helping other people to have the send-off they wanted.

And, following his death from cancer at the age of 68, he yesterday made his own final journey – exactly as he wanted it, with a New Orleans style jazz band providing a musical celebration of his life.

John was renowned for his straight talking and never shied away from discussing his own funeral preferences while running the Wigton Road funeral directors with business partner Dawn Evans.

So when he passed away, Dawn and John’s daughter Katie, 25, who also works in the business and will succeed her dad, knew exactly what he wanted.

But it wasn’t all plain sailing, as finding the jazz band John wanted did not prove to be as easy as expected.

Following an appeal in our sister newspaper the News & Star , four came forward to offer their services.

But the day before John’s funeral, they were pipped at the post by the city’s Ragtime Rascals.

“Lots of people got in touch to offer messages of support – and four jazz bands offered to help us out,” said Katie.

Speaking about her dad, she said: “He was a great dad; somebody who believed in doing the right thing.

“I’ve kept on working because I know that’s what he would have wanted.

“His last piece of advice to me was to just get on with things and be a success.”

A former mechanic, John went into the funeral business after the death of his parents when he was a young man .

He and Dawn transformed their business into one of the best known in north Cumbria.

Dawn said John was the ultimate professional and always understanding – but he had a wicked sense of humour too.

“Over the years, we talked about funerals and what we would want,” she continued. “He loved the fact that in New Orleans when people have a funeral they are taken down the road to the sound of a jazz band , with everybody having a great time . He liked the idea of celebrating somebody’s life.”

John, who also leaves his wife Fiona, was a keen sportsman, playing football into his early 50s for teams including Harraby Catholic Club, Gretna, Northbank, and Aspatria. In later life, he become a referee.

He was also a talented driver, and was county road rally champion in 1978.

Dawn added: “His death will leave a big hole in our lives. We’re all devastated.”

John went to great lengths to ensure clients got the funerals they wanted.

He once arranged the funeral of a talented digger driver, whose dying wish was to be carried to his final resting place by a JCB. John made sure he got his wish.

John’s funeral was held at Carlisle Crematorium.