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In nine years I have sat and listened to peoples grief, helped with their loss, collected the dead like a black suited courier from the place where they closed their eyes for the last time.
As an undertaker I take pride in my work,career,life, I know how precious it all is.
I always felt that when myself and my colleague were greeted at the front door of a quiet house in a quiet street, the look of relief on the faces of the tearful occupants meant that I was doing my job properly.

I always talk the family through the process of my work at their home, as caring and dignified as you try and be the process of placing a loved one on our stretcher is never a nice sight, and the fact that when you leave the house they have to see the distressing sight of a maroon nylon cover cocooning their mum or dad, or even child!.
After losing my father, my career changed, I always thought that I did everything to lessen a family`s pain and loss.I always cared, no doubt about that, I always listened, I liked to listen to families talk about their lives, what brought them together, how long they spent in each other`s lives, but there was always something I know I did`t really get time to do.
I know now that there was still a lot to learn after it happened to me. Though I took the time to care and listen, I realise now that i never really took the extra time to sit and talk, I do now!.

Learn more about this author, Theron Hemsell.
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