Hundreds gather for funeral of Dame Patricia Routledge
The service was held at Chichester Cathedral to celebrate Dame Patricia’s long life and numerous achievements, following her death last month at the age of 96.
Last updated 5th Nov 2025
Hundreds of people attended the funeral of Dame Patricia Routledge, known for her iconic role in Keeping Up Appearances, at Chichester Cathedral in West Sussex.
Tributes were led by the Very Reverend Nicholas Frayling, who described Dame Patricia as having an “instinctive ability, not merely to observe people, but to absorb their characteristics, especially solitary people with hidden vulnerabilities.”
He shared how Dame Patricia had quietly supported numerous causes, donating over £1 million to assist young people starting careers in music and theatre. He mentioned that her generosity continues through the Patricia Routledge Foundation.
Highlighting her extensive career, Reverend Frayling noted Dame Patricia’s appreciation for her role in BBC's Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, saying the series, despite being discontinued, dealt with critical issues such as unemployment, homelessness, drug addiction, and loneliness.
Dame Patricia was best known for her portrayal of Hyacinth Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances, an immensely popular sitcom in the early 1990s written by Roy Clarke. The show ran from 1990 to 1995 and gained significant popularity in the US as well.
In addition to her work on screen, Dame Patricia enjoyed a prolific career in theatre, cementing her place as one of the UK's most celebrated actresses.