Ms Widdecombe was found dead in her home in Haytor, Devon, eight miles from the church site, which includes a working Benedictine monastery, on July 9. Police believe she died 24 hours earlier
Ann Widdecombe’s family are making arrangements to hold her funeral service at her beloved Buckfast Abbey, church bosses have revealed.
The former Cabinet Minister and Reform UK spokesperson had attended the place of worship just three days before she died on July 8 and was a regular parishioner there. A spokesperson for Buckfast Abbey said: “We are working closely with the family regarding funeral arrangements and will provide further information in due course, when appropriate.
“We respectfully ask that the family’s privacy is honoured as they make these arrangements.” The statement added: “Fr Abbot and the Monastic Community of Buckfast continue to hold Ann Widdecombe, her family and loved ones in our prayers during this difficult time. Fr Abbot and the Monastic Community are grateful for the many messages of sympathy and support that have been received.”
On Thursday, Ms Widdecombe’s family issued a statement announcing that a private funeral service will be held “in the coming weeks”, “limited to those closest to Ann”. They added: “A more public memorial will follow later in the year, the details of which will be released in due course.” A Buckfast Abbey spokesperson today confirmed to the Mirror their statement relates to the private funeral service. They did not comment on when it is likely to take place.
Ms Widdecombe was found dead in her home in Haytor, Devon, eight miles from the church site, which includes a working Benedictine monastery, on July 9 – around 24 hours after police believe she died.
Police charged Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, South Yorks, with the murder of the former MP on Monday. He appeared in court where it was alleged Ms Widdecombe died after being hit with a hammer 21 times as she ate lunch. A provisional trial date has been set for June 2027.
The hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court heard Ms Widdecombe was also tipped out of her chair and had her wallet taken during the attack before she was found the next day with head injuries at her remote bungalow on the edge of Dartmoor National Park.
Prosecutor Kashif Malik said the alarm was raised when Ms Widdecombe failed to appear for a video interview on Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show that lunchtime.
Producers tried to contact her over the next 24 hours before a gardener was asked to check on her, the court heard.
At an inquest in Exeter on Tuesday, Coroner Philip Spinney read a statement, which said: “Ms Widdecombe was located within her property. She was found to be unresponsive and with visible injuries. The precise cause of death is yet to be established.”
