This is a BBC Podcast.

You can get all our podcasts and our terms of use at BBCWorldService.com slash podcast.

Now, the International Documentary Series Global Perspective, which this year has the theme at the edge.

This documentary, made by Michelle Ernsting from Radio Netherlands Worldwide,

is called the Lonely Funeral. Two men, a civil servant and a poet,

come together in their shared determination that those who die completely alone

in Amsterdam should have a respectful and personal funeral.

This is the St. Barbara Chapel on the edge of Amsterdam.

It's sober, elegant and almost empty.

There's a coffin at the front of the chapel. Two men sit on either side of the aisle in the first pew.

The man on the left places a bouquet of flowers on the lid of the casket.

He also chose the music.

The man on the right stands up and walks to the front.

He's written a poem for the deceased.

There is a way, along with the bright, light-hearted man,

who sees the international with great steps ahead of him.

He develops from night to night.

Both men have spent a lot of time thinking about the person in the casket.

Neither of them have ever met him.

Every year in the city of Amsterdam, 15 to 20 people die alone.

They have no friends or family to arrange a funeral.

So in their absence, a civil servant and a poet hold a service to say goodbye.

...