Details
CHANDLER, Ray. Typed letter signed ("Ray") to Michael Gilbert, Palm Springs, 18 January 1957. 1½ pages, 4to, on blue paper, a few manuscript corrections, hole-punched not affecting text.
Raymond Chandler discusses his will and funeral with his London solicitor, who was also his friend and fellow mystery-writer: "...as to the funeral service, that I will not, if I have anything to say about it, have it anywhere but in a church, and there is to be nothing but the formal service for the dead--no poems read, no speeches, no goddam tame parson in a funeral parlor or chapel. I don't know where I was baptized, although I know from my mother that I was baptized, but I was confirmed in the Church of England by the Bishop of Worcester, and as a young man was very devout." Chandler's wish to have his Episcopalian friend officiate was honored ("I think one is entitled to it"), though tragically his instructions for cremation were ignored and his will would be changed and eventually contested between Helga Greene and Anne Jameson.
Raymond Chandler discusses his will and funeral with his London solicitor, who was also his friend and fellow mystery-writer: "...as to the funeral service, that I will not, if I have anything to say about it, have it anywhere but in a church, and there is to be nothing but the formal service for the dead--no poems read, no speeches, no goddam tame parson in a funeral parlor or chapel. I don't know where I was baptized, although I know from my mother that I was baptized, but I was confirmed in the Church of England by the Bishop of Worcester, and as a young man was very devout." Chandler's wish to have his Episcopalian friend officiate was honored ("I think one is entitled to it"), though tragically his instructions for cremation were ignored and his will would be changed and eventually contested between Helga Greene and Anne Jameson.