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Heartbroken widower slept next to dead wife for six days

A heartbroken widower slept next to his dead wife's body for six days after she passed away.

Russell Davison, 50, was devastated when his wife Wendy, died three years after being given six months to live by doctors.

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Wendy was determined to die at home, with Russell explaining he didn't want her body to be taken into a hospital mortuary.

"Wendy died very peacefully, fully sedated, in no pain in mine and Dylan’s arms with our ever faithful dog Elvis smuggled up right next to her too,” he said.

Russell was determined to keep his beloved wife Wendy at home after she passed away. Photo: Caters
Russell was determined to keep his beloved wife Wendy at home after she passed away. Photo: Caters

“Death seems to be such a taboo subject in our society, no one seems to want to talk about it.”

After sleeping next to his wife in their bedroom at their Derby home, Russell wants to convince others that staying close to a loved one’s dead body is nothing to be afraid of.

“For a long time I have been determined to have Wendy at home when she died,” said Russell.

“I did not want her in the mortuary or handed over to a funeral director, I wanted us to take care of her ourselves at our family home, have her in our bedroom so I could sleep in the same room.


Russell wants to break the taboo about death and encourage people to say the goodbyes they want to. Photo: Caters
Russell wants to break the taboo about death and encourage people to say the goodbyes they want to. Photo: Caters

“Having Wendy’s body here and being able to sit with her all day, have her friends and family come to sit with her, chat with her, chat about her and light candles and incense on her alter proved to be such a beautiful and comforting experience for me, the boys and all that are taking part.

"We have all been fooled by TV and films into thinking there is something to be scared about with dead bodies – there is not, I can assure you.”

The family held a service to celebrate Wendy’s life, and Russell went on to write a heart-breaking letter shortly after his wife’s passing.

“My heart is broken, I don’t know if it will ever heal and I don’t know if I even want it to,” the letter read.

“I am crying a lot less now though and am sure I will be ok in time.

Wendy stayed at home for six days after her passing. Photo: Caters
Wendy stayed at home for six days after her passing. Photo: Caters

“Travel well to your next life my darling Wendy, you will never be forgotten and you will always be loved so very much by me, your boys and so many other people.

“You have shown us exactly how to live and exactly how to die with grace, honour, love and beauty and I am so incredibly grateful to you for everything that you are and have been to me.

“I adore you.”

- Reporting by Caters News

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