Northern Ireland

North Belfast woman held her own wake after being diagnosed with terminal cancer

North Belfast woman Sharon Jackson organised her own wake. Picture from BBC
North Belfast woman Sharon Jackson organised her own wake. Picture from BBC North Belfast woman Sharon Jackson organised her own wake. Picture from BBC

A NORTH Belfast woman who held her own wake after being diagnosed with terminal cancer said the event was a "celebration of life".

Sharon Jackson said she decided to hold an "awake wake" after speaking with a friend.

"Why would I miss something like that? Getting all my friends together in one place," she said.

Ms Jackson was given her prognosis in 2016, aged 53.

She told the BBC her party on Saturday night was a way to have a final "epic" celebration with her loved ones.

She said she had asked friends to read "funny, dark, and sarcastic" obituaries for her.

And she wanted her loved ones to leave "on a note of laughter".

"It was filled with joy, humour, love, and everything I expected," she said.

"We played music until 02:00."

Since her prognosis, she has organised her funeral arrangements and decorated her coffin with photographs of family and friends.

Ms Jackson urged anyone who has a terminal illness not to fall into despair.

"Celebrate life. Don't let cancer dictate to you that it's the end," she said.

"The worst thing that you can possibly do is to go down that dark hole of depression, thinking your life is over.

"It's not. You can have that party - celebrate with family and friends and embrace your life that you've had with them."

If you have been affected by cancer contact Cancer Focus Northern Ireland at www.cancerfocusni.org