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Want a send-off to the next world Harley-Davidson style?
Well, South Africa's first home-bred, motorbike-driven hearse has been unveiled in Joburg.
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The three-seater bike is standard, but the hearse has been specially designed to enable it to be hitched on.
The idea was the brainchild of Venessa and Mike Basson, who run the private Dusk to Dawn Funeral Parlour in Regents Park.
"We got the idea when we saw some motorcycles driving behind a hearse. We did research, and Mike redesigned the back of the hearse. It was modified and built by a company in Pretoria," said Venessa.
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The hearse has see-through glass which, she said, makes it more personal, in that the coffin can be seen.
She said there had been very positive reaction to the bike and hearse from members of the public, across all cultures. "We believe that this is the first of its kind in the country. We think it would appeal not just to bike enthusiasts, but the general public as well," Venessa said.
The parlour is the first private mortuary in Joburg's southern suburbs. There are small operators in the area, working out of garages, said Venessa, but the conditions were not good and many of them didn't even have fridges for the bodies.
The Bassons started by selling funeral policies a few years ago, and soon decided there was a huge need for a proper mortuary in the area.
"There are no legal mortuaries in the southern suburbs from Alberton to Glenvista and Rosettenville. We found premises and started renovating. The design and equipment is state of the art. It is up to European and American specifications. There is a qualified mortician on the premises. We are coming up with more innovative ideas," said Venessa.
- This article was originally published on page 5 of The Star on November 06, 2009
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A biker bred;
When I die;
I'll be a biker dead.
Awesome idea.