". . .not with a whimper, but with a bang. . ." (revised 26 FEB 2004)

Or, indeed, 275 bangs. I don't have a web citation for this. So you'll have to trust me, unless you can find a print copy of The Spectator for 21 February 2004.

From "Portrait of the Week":

The ashes of an expert on antique firearms were added to 275 cartridges, and friends of the dead man bagged 70 partridges, 23 pheasants, seven ducks and a fox with them.

I've played for some unusual funerals, but nothing to compare with this. Words fail.