As promised Funeral Director here (waves)

[oohnarna]

I am ready for your questions!

I will do my best to answer, I have a few bits I am doing at home but will answer regularly throughout the evening as much as I can.

When I retire from being a crem tech I'd like to be a celebrant

No headstone? I would think it's the families choice and respect that. Some families are waiting for the next person to pass away, some people just don't feel the need. You are visiting the person in the grave - some people like a stone others don't feel the need. Both options are absolutely fine in my view.

Talk us through decomposition and timing of.

Do you ever feel spooked?

What's a celebrant?

Thanks for the threat OP - the crew one was fascinating.

Another question - how much work do you with the body? Is it largely up to embalmers for example to clean/dress/reconstructing?

Yes, do you feel spooked, have you seen anything to make you think there's life after death?

Crem not crew....

Very many thanks for starting the thread, oohnarna ... I'm sure it will be just as much appreciated as the cremation one

Can I ask what impact you believe the increasing popularity of "direct cremation" will have on the industry?

I like to think there is an afterlife. I have encounters some 'spooky' things in some of the funeral homes.

It makes me appreciate life. So so much.

I became more effected when I became a mother. You never become use to things emotionally really, you just deal with it and because you are there to do a job - that is what you focus on. I hope that makes sense. Families want us to be in control not crying etc. It is their grief not ours. There is always the odd one that will really get to you though.

I am not a fan of 'direct to crematorium' I think for some families they choose this because of cost and then they don't have a personal service which can effect their grieving process. Okay for some families though I am sure.

Industry wise I am positive that it won't impact too much. Most people choose an FD out of recommendation or previous use.

It makes perfect sense

ohh interesting
I had to go to 3 funerals last year and each was very different.

my friend when terminally ill was very dissapointed that her 'eco friendly' whish wasn't possible due to regulations apparently.

is there a lot of red tape?

A celebrant is a self employed person who takes funeral services. They generally do a celebration of life service and do whatever the family wish.

C of E for example will now also do this too though.

Please share some spooky stories?!

Decomposition depends on many factors. All people are different.

My grandmother died and went straight to the crematorium. We had a token family get-together afterwards to celebrate her life but it was basically a family lunch. I thought this was so disrespectful towards my grandmother. I would never endorse it.

Hi!

I have recently trained as a celebrant. Still shadowing for now. I popped into my local FD to introduce myself and ask how I would go about getting myself on their books & she basically told me she has a couple she uses all the time & my age is a off putting as i’m Early 30s and look young for my age so families wouldn’t feel comfortable dealing with me. It’s made me anxious now about approaching other FDs. Any advice? How do Celebrant’s approach you to be considered for work? Thanks in advance

Red tape at crems more due to health a safety.

What kind of thing were they not allowed for eco funeral?

If it is a natural burial there are lots of restrictions to make it 'eco' no embalming for example.

I am just nipping for a shower ! I will be back !!!

Are bodies cremated separately??

I've constantly been told that a group of bodies are cremated so when people get the ashes, they actually aren't sure who else is inside!!

Second the request for spooky stories, please - what have you experienced? Fascinating to read this thread.

Does anyone have a link for the previous thread?

I have seen things that were not there.
Locked doors that have opened.
A constant feeling of some one behind me.
Shoulder being tapped.

friend wanted just a linon cloth, but had to have a casket, apparently the crematorium (no burials where she was) doesn't allow that.

What happens when you collect the body from the hospital etc? Is there usually a ‘back door’ to collect the body from and how is the body wrapped, is the person in a bag? Or just a sheet over them?

I have much respect for your profession and thank you for taking the time to answer questions.