Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

The Ledger

This man's obituary says he died "due to an uppercut from Batman"

Here’s how it all came about.

STEPHEN MERRILL (31) WAS a huge superhero fan, so when he died his family decided he deserved a special send-off.

In an unusual move, they listed the cause of death as “due to [an] uppercut from Batman” in his obituary.

Merrill, who was a dad to a boy aged seven, died unexpectedly at home in Florida in early February.

As the cause of death wasn’t known when the obituary was being drawn up, his sister Kimberly Merrill told ABC News that their father suggested they make up something “exotic”.

Here was the result:

stephen merrill 2 Dignity Memorial Dignity Memorial

You can read the full obituary here.

He also had an unconventional funeral, with a flower arrangement made to look like a Captain America shield.

Merrill had been diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2013, and was about to undergo chemotherapy when he died.

Read: Look out Batman! Fancy-dress brawl erupts at darts contest>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Author
Aoife Barry
View 17 comments
Close
17 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds