Rev Ray Biddiss is promoting a bespoke motorcycle hearse which he hopes will appeal to those wanting an alternative to a conventional stretched estate car.

With its gleaming black body, chrome-plated exterior and matching alloy wheels it is certain to appeal to bikers who crave a dramatic final goodbye.

Today, the 54-year-old preacher was due to unveil his hearse outfit to funeral directors and bikers at Nabwood Crematorium, Shipley, Bradford.

The three-wheeler, which cost more than £18,000, was converted by Wackey's Trikes in Devon from a Suzuki Boulevard 1400cc Intruder.

There is a "sissy bar" so the next-of-kin to travel pillion and it pulls a glass, black and chrome coffin carrier which boasts a polished stainless steel deck with black rollers inside, all designed by Ray.

The father-of-two said: "Alongside God, my passion is biking, I've been one for 35 years, and I wouldn't be seen dead in a car for my final journey.

"Launching a motorcycle hearse outfit is a dream I've had for years.

"I wanted a vehicle that maintains all the integrity of a motorcycle, appeals to the most passionate of bikers and brings the general public an unusual alternative to the traditional car hearse."

"I'm very passionate about introducing choice into funerals whether it is the music, the prayers – or lack of them – or the outfits people wear. I do bend the usual funeral rules because I believe a funeral is about what you and your family want.

"The motorcycle hearse is a real step forward for me in my bid to update and evolve the long established, traditional funeral market."

An example of his unabashed style came recently at a service in Rawdon, Leeds when he asked anyone who would be easily shocked to leave before punk legend Sid Vicious bawled out his expletive-rich version of the Frank Sinatra classic My Way.

He added: "The hearse certainly seems to have captured people's imagination so far but we will see what response I get from today's event.

"I have sent out invitations to 250 funeral directors and biker groups such as the Calderdale-based Bridge Rats.

"And I've sent word to popular biker meets at Devil's Bridge in the Dales and Squires Cafe in Kirkby Lonsdale but I don't have any idea what response I will get though I have had to turn three people away already as the hearse was not ready.

"There is often talk about having a 'good death' but rarely does anyone consider having a 'good funeral'.

"There will always be people who want a traditional religious funeral with the car and the hymns and the prayers – and I truly embrace that.

"But choice shouldn't end simply because life ends and the motorcycle hearse is another way I can facilitate a very personal final journey and help people in death have a true celebration of their life."

Rev Biddiss, a widower, joined the church as a fully ordained Baptist minister in 1996 after a chequered past left him a reformed gambler – on one memorable occasion his house was repossessed to settle a bill.

He served four years in Monmouth in Wales before moving to Low Moor, Bradford, and then to Pellon Baptist Church in Halifax – which he left under a cloud in 2003 when he lost a vote of confidence and was forced out.

Since then he has become a civic celebrant, organising civil funerals as an alternative to traditional religious events.