A woman who made a video to show at her mother’s funeral has started a business that captures memories of people’s lives in three- and-a-half minutes.

iDie Life Films was set up by Hove filmmaker and visual designer Rehana Rose after her 80-year-old mum Rosie died last year.

As her main carer after Rosie had a stroke and aware of the inevitable circumstances, Rehana tentatively asked her mum if she could make a short film with her photographs.

That afternoon they chose 35 photographs and Rosie shared her memories as they looked back over her life.

It was emotional, reflective and, surprisingly for Rehana, an education.


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She said: “I learnt so much more about mum as she recounted hardship as well as funny stories that had long been forgotten.

“It was astonishing how good mum’s long-term memory was.”

Rehana asked her mum to think about a music track to go with the photographs.

It was Christmas 2011 when Rehana showed Rosie her short film.

Rehana recalled: “At the end mum turned to me, smiled and raised her glass of sherry before saying “to life”.

“A few tears were shed through all of our smiles.”

Rosie died last September and Rehana was the last person to speak at the funeral.

At the end of her speech, the film played.

She said: “Many people commented how beautiful the film was.

“I liked that – I liked that many of those at mum’s funeral who had only known her in her last years had a chance to see her as a whole person through her life.

“That would have been important for mum.

“She was a very proud woman.”

Building on the idea, Rehana launched iDie in May this year.

Rehana added: “Many think those planning for their end of life or those arranging a funeral for a loved one will appreciate a simple, sensitive three-minute film played at a memorial service.

“To celebrate a life is a powerful and beautiful tribute, especially when many of us find it so hard to speak at such an emotionally difficult time.”

iDie offers customers anything from video editing to a camera crew to film special moments with the aim of producing a video of memories that families can treasure.

To see Rosie’s iDie film or for more information, visit iDie.co.uk.