At the funeral, Flaming Feathers tried to blend in among the mourners, posing as grieving relatives of the deceased. But when a familiar beat filled the room, four dancers leapt to their feet, shedding their coats and moving to the rhythm.
Claire Phipps, the lead dancer of the flash mob, shared that at first, some attendees seemed unsure how to react to the bold performance. “It took a moment for them to realize this was all part of Wood’s grand plan,” Phipps said. Gradually, the mood shifted, and the crowd began clapping along with the music, swept up in the joyful surprise.
“By the end, they were really appreciative and loved the unexpected moment,” Phipps added.
Reflecting on the unusual task of pretending to mourn before launching into a Queen song, Phipps admitted it was a strange request. Many dance groups had turned it down, feeling it crossed a line. But after coming across Ryalls’ plea on Facebook, Phipps decided to take on the challenge.
Mark, Wood’s husband, had no idea what was coming. When the dancers revealed themselves, he couldn’t help but smile. “That was so her,” he said, beaming. “She kept it a secret because she wanted to surprise me—and she absolutely nailed it.”
In her final act of whimsy, Wood had left a special instruction for her guests: to leave the church in a conga line. The mourners embraced the request with enthusiasm, dancing their way outside. True to her vision, Wood’s funeral became an unforgettable event, one that left everyone talking.