Nicolas Wheatley is a retired solicitor who has undertaken some academic studies based on death, cemeteries and funeral transport by train. He has written a book called 'Final Journey, the Untold Story of Funeral Trains' published by The History Press in October 2020. He gives a talk based on this book and other material since discovered.

The talk describes why and how trains- and sometimes trams- have been used to transport the dead, enabling their burial in a place of significance to the deceased or their loved ones. Profusely illustrated using a Powerpoint presentation, the talk details how mainline railways carried out this important yet often hidden work from Victorian times until the 1980s, and how it continues to this day on heritage railways.

The talk generally lasts for about one hour with an opportunity for questions afterwards. It can focus on a variety of aspects, eg royalty, aristocracy, military, airships, ladies or specific geographic areas.

A fee of £50.00 would be expected, plus travel expenses from Cheltenham.