Land Rover Defender hearse unveiled for a farming farewell

Fans of the iconic Land Rover Defender can now choose the classic vehicle for their final farewell, after Scottish funeral director William Purves unveiled its new Land Rover hearse.

Purported to be the first of its kind to park up in Scotland, the Defender is expected to be a favourite among rural and farming families, as well as the hoards of lifelong Land Rover fans.

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The family-owned funeral firm, which is headquartered in Edinburgh, believes that funerals should reflect the life lived, and added the Defender 130 to its fleet following a complete refurbishment by independent Land Rover specialists Engine 710.

The refurbishment saw the classic vehicle undergo significant works, including creating a custom-made deck low enough to allow coffins, floral tributes and other decoration for display.

The rear door has also been engineered to open beyond the 90 degrees to facilitate the easy loading and removal of coffins.

Andrew Purves, director of William Purves, said of the Defender: “Creating this specialised hearse has taken time and attention.

“It has been a labour of love, and we are now very pleased to offer our customers this classic vehicle for their final journey.

“For five generations, William Purves has helped countless bereaved families say goodbye in a way that is personal and significant to them.

“Funerals reflect a life lived, so whether that’s asking guests to wear a particular colour, share a dram of whisky at a graveside, or travel in the Defender Hearse, we support families to create bespoke celebrations for their final farewells.”

The Land Rover Defender hearse is available to hire by members of the public and funeral directors from William Purves.