So heartwarming ! For a long time I wanted to (still want to) work as a funeral advisor so the theme of the book was up my alley, it didn't disappoint. reading the book from the POV of an elderly character is something we need to do more !
Some stories were more difficult to read than others, but they all seem so realistic and that's what makes the book so powerful.
Love the narration, it brings the characters alive !!

thank you netgalley for the copy

This starts when George is leaving flowers on his wife’s grave and sees a
Public health funeral, one run by the council when there is no one close to the deceased to arrange one. He then gets the idea to do something to make those events a bit less cold and give them a bit of tlc.

You see the stories of the local group who come together to create the light a candle society as well as some of those who are remembered and it’s all very sweet

I especially loved the focus on how people can create their own communities to enrich their own lives as well as those around them. As well as the titular society a lot of the events take place in libraries, local newspapers, volunteer lifeguard groups and pubs.

What a wonderful and beautiful story.
What happens when someone sadly dies but with no friends or family around to organise a funeral? The council will arrange a “public health funeral” which can be just the crematorium staff and a representative from the council.
Librarian George discovers this while placing flowers on his wife’s grave. He is so sad with the idea that nobody is there to send the deceased off or to remember their lives at a funeral.
What starts is a journey of friendship and community when George, his colleague Roxy, Elena the florist, Edwin the undertaker and others decide to find a way to make the forgotten people remembered by creating The Light a Candle Society.

I absolutely loved it and the narration of the audiobook was outstanding. Ruth Hogan has never written a book I didn’t love and if I could give this one six stars I would.

With huge thanks to NetGalley and W. F. Howes for the audio arc in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

The Light a Candle Society casts a light on public health funerals, which I knew nothing about. Funerals organised for the people who have no one to organise a final farewell for them.

When widower George becomes aware of these funerals he organises a society to put together a better send off for people who would otherwise get the bare minimum.

A story of humanity at its best and worst.
An uplifting book and well worth reading, upsetting in parts, but the characters are written and endearingly human.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy to review.

The Light a Candle Society by Ruth Hogan is a beautifully uplifting story that has restored my faith in human nature. It was expertly narrated by Mark Elstob, who did an amazing job bringing the book to life and providing a range of voices for the wide-ranging characters.

It centres on George McGlory, a widow and part-time librarian, who stumbles across a Public Health Funeral which has a profound effect on him. The funeral was stark and bleak with no mourners and no flowers - it was a lonely functional cremation.

George meets Edwin, an undertaker, and together they agree to assist Public Health Funerals by ensuring that no-one has to have such bleak and lonely funeral, or send off. The initiative gains momentum and more people get involved in helping George and The Light a Candle Society is borne.

What I loved about the book is that George and the The Light a Candle Society do provide a great service and provide a good send off to people who have died alone and away from their family for whatever reason. It would be lovely if there were more people across the country doing this.

I also loved how acquaintances in The Light a Candle Society became friends and it really brought likeminded people together. We do live in a society where high numbers of people are alone and/or lonely, so the book as well as being a beautifully moving story was hopeful.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, W.F. Howes Ltd, for making this audio-ARC.

A heartwarming and engaging story. I enjoyed how the community came together and we were introduced to new people along the way.

Allegra was definitely my favourite character. I also really enjoyed the audio narration.

I felt this could have been a bit shorter to keep my attention but overall very sweet read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

3.5 stars.

Actual rating 4.5.

Another gloriously heartwarming and uplifting novel from one of my favourite (and criminally underrated!) authors, perfect for fans of Clare Pooley or Freya Sampson. Whilst some people may find this story a little sentimental, I adored this group of big hearted characters as they helped celebrate the lives of people who died with nobody to arrange their funeral. It was heartbreaking at times, but also hopeful and a joy to read.

I must admit the audio narrators did get a little ‘panto’ with some of the voices during moments of dialogue though.

If you're looking for a heart-warming read, Ruth Hogan's books are a great place to start and her latest offering certainly doesn't disappoint.
George, a widower and part-time librarian witnesses a public funeral whilst laying flowers on his wife's grave. Concerned that the lives of certain people weren't being mourned he set about trying to do something about it. With a supporting cast of the local undertaker, a fellow librarian, a florist and other members of the local community the 'Light a Candle society' was founded. Through being part of the group, learning about the various life experiences of the deceased and demonstrating kindness to strangers their own lives were enhanced in many different ways.
A well narrated book that was a pleasure to listen to.
I am grateful to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced listener copy of this lovely book.

3.75 🌟

What a beautiful story. The Light A Candle society are born when George sees a public health funeral taking place while he’s laying flowers at his wife’s Grace. Moved and distressed at the idea of anyone having nobody to mourn them, George quickly sets about finding out how he can make a difference, the difference that comes about is remarkable.

Along the way we gather a fabulous host of memorable characters from members of the society to the deceased themselves, everyone gets their turn. Captain succeeded in finally bringing me to tears. Overall the story is poignant, moving and upsetting but above all it’s hopeful and human.

The audio narration was lovely.

Huge thanks to WF Howes LTD via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧