Mini hearse 'perfect' project to honour granddad

4 hours ago

Richard PriceWest Midlands

News image — The car was converted in honour of Jack Lonergan's grandfather

BBC A black converted car hearse, viewed from the back at an angle. There is a man wearing a black top and black trousers standing next to the vehicle on the left hand side of the image. — The car was converted in honour of Jack Lonergan's grandfather

A father and son who spent more than two years turning a classic Mini into a hearse, said it was the "perfect" project to bring them together.

Jack Lonergan, from Stoke-on-Trent, whose grandfather George died in March 2023, embarked on the renovation with his dad Neil Lonergan.

The Mini Clubman, which was adapted to have space for a full-length coffin, is a black estate version of a 1980s Mini.

"It's so special, it's sort of everything that my granddad loved through his life and it's dedicated to him," Jack Lonergan said.

The idea to convert the vehicle came about following a discussion with the funeral director at the time about how they wanted to give George Lonergan his final send-off.

Although there was not time to create a Mini hearse in time for his grandfather, Jack Lonergan said he was happy they could now offer the service to other families who loved the iconic British vehicles, giving them one last "Mini adventure".

Their Last Mini Adventure A black converted Mini Clubman hearse, viewed from the front at an angle. There is a church behind the vehicle and a graveyard. — The vehicle is a classic 1980s Mini Clubman and was adapted so it can carry coffins

There is a plaque inside, honouring George, and the adaptation of the car was a way to carry on his grandfather's legacy and passion for Minis, he added.

Jack Lonergan is a final year game design student at the University of Staffordshire, while his dad Neil Lonergan is an electrician.

It was a combination of creative and practical skills which made the project "make sense", Jack Lonergan said.

Their Last Mini Adventure A black converted Mini Clubman hearse, viewed from behind at an angle. There is a sticker in the window which reads My Last Mini Adventure. The car is parked next to a graveyard. — The father and son team said they were already taking bookings to help other families who wanted this specific tribute for a loved one

His grandfather was a big fan of Minis, owning them and working on them all through his adult life.

He passed that love on to his dad, Jack Lonergan said, who added he had similarly worked on them all through his adult life.

Their Last Mini Adventure A black converted Mini Clubman hearse, with rear doors open, viewed directly from behind. There is red detailing around the black driver's seat and metal features for securing a coffin. — The front passenger seat was removed to make space for a full-sized coffin

People were already booking the car for funerals, which Jack said would have pleased his grandfather.

"I think he'd be more proud that the fact that me and my dad have done this together," he added.

"We've become a hell of a lot closer because of it, so I think that's being proud of us bonding over something he loved but then being able to provide that service to other people."

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