Watch Viking funeral tribute to former Hartlepool fisherman

A model of a Viking boat filled with flowers and pictures of Frederick Pearson, who passed away aged 80 on Wednesday, February 12, was set on fire and by the sea at the Headland.

The moving ceremony was held on the beach near Spion Kop following Fred’s funeral on Wednesday, March 4.

In Norse history, Viking funerals consisted of the burying of the individual within a ship containing the departed and their goods which was then set on fire and sent out to sea on their journey to the afterlife.

Fred’s daughter Janice Pearson said: “The Viking funeral came about as he loved being at sea and used to say it was because of his roots.

“The Viking boat was made by John at Judith's flower shop on Northgate, and they have done an amazing job.”

Fred, a father of five, worked out of Hartlepool fish quay, often staying out at sea for weeks on end during the summer.

At one point he ran two boats though his main one was called Prospection.

"It's all he wanted to do," said Janice.

Fred appeared in the pages of the Mail several times including helping the navy to bring a mine safely into shore in the late 1970s.

It was later blown up near the Kirkham pub on the Headland. The explosion was so big it shook the window panels.

Fred also found part of an old German war plane while out at sea.

Married to Margaret, who he wed when he was 18, he retired early and along with Margaret emigrated to Tenerife, Spain, where he lived for 30 years.

Janice said: "They loved it."

They were part of a small community of Brits who lived in an apartment block that Fred helped to maintain.

Margaret passed away in Tenerife at the age of 70.

Fred returned home to Hartlepool in October last year to be closer to his family.