Richard Branson has revealed how he and his household celebrated the lifetime of his late spouse Joan Templeman. The Virgin Group founder introduced the passing of his spouse and associate of fifty years in November, writing that she was his “finest buddy” and “guiding mild”.

Writing in a publish on his firm’s web site, the 75-year-old revealed that he had “all the time believed in celebrating folks’s lives, whereas they’re nonetheless with us and after they’re gone,” as he detailed the celebration of her life on Necker Island. The island, owned by Branson, has turn out to be his household dwelling and synonymous with the Virgin and Branson model. The billionaire revealed that he discovered conventional funerals and cremations “fairly impersonal, and sometimes tough locations for kids, preferring as a substitute to search out “a spot that the particular person really liked can really feel much more significant.

He wrote: “We’re extremely fortunate to have Necker Island. When my dad and mom died, we celebrated their lives there and planted timber on the far aspect of the island, the place we scattered their ashes.

“Through the years, these timber have grown robust and exquisite, dwelling reminders that life continues on.”

The Virgin magnate added: “To have fun Joan’s life, we held a good looking procession across the island, all wearing white, alongside our fantastic British Virgin Islands crew, previous and current.

“Sam and Isabella sang some lovely songs, Holly spoke so movingly, and our 5 grandchildren learn a touching poem for his or her beloved Granny Amma.

“We closed the service with everybody singing Lean on Me. It was easy, heartfelt, and really lovely.”

To shut the ceremony, Branson mentioned: “I shared a couple of tales from our fifty yr love story, together with how I as soon as took Joan to Necker all these years in the past in an effort to impress her. With out that journey, none of us would have been standing there that day.

Afterwards, all of us went again all the way down to the seashore to toast Joan and share extra magical tales of her life.”

Necker Island is located within the North Sound of the British Virgin Islands, within the jap Caribbean Sea, to the east of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands and was purchased by Branson in 1978 for $180,000.

Describing his first go to to the island with Joan, Branson recalled: “I fell in love twice that weekend – as soon as as our helicopter (provided by the realtor after all!) swooped over the turquoise water and white sandy seashores of Necker Island, and once more after I noticed the smile on the face of the gorgeous woman who sat beside me on the journey.

“Collectively we strolled across the Island and dreamed up plans for turning it right into a haven for musicians.”