Experts in Grief: Edinburgh funeral directors first to undertake inaugural grief training

It goes without saying that the job of a funeral director can be mentally taxing and stressful and while some may say it is part of the job, over time it can take its toll.

That’s why the independent Edinburgh funeral directors, William Purves, is acknowledging that their profession poses risks to colleagues’ mental health and has therefore working with leading bereavement charity, Cruse’s inaugural Grief First Aid training.

With over 125 years of experience in the business, the family-owned funeral firm is no stranger to carefully navigating the complexities of grief.

Nonetheless, in the aftermath of the pandemic, which saw countless lives affected by grief – including members of the funeral team – William Purves stepped up to become one of the first businesses to trial this new initiative to better support anyone who may be suffering as a result of loss, grief or bereavement. 

Hazel Strachan, a William Purves Administrator and one of the course attendees said: “Our job takes us to the heart of families who are coping with one of life’s most challenging experiences – never more so than during the pandemic. During this time, we prioritised the care of others over processing the impact on our own lives – which has led to a storing up of emotions.

“Funeral Directors are also not immune to bereavement in our own lives – events from many years ago can be triggered by aspects of the job, which creates an unexpected emotional response.”

Cruse’s Grief First Aid course comprises three online modules, each four hours in length. 20 representatives from William Purves undertook the course, covering topics including ‘understanding grief’ and ‘the importance of bereavement policy’.

The participants also developed practical skills focused on facilitating conversations around grief and how best to support a colleague returning to work following a bereavement. Upon finishing the training, each representative received a certification of completion.

Gemma Halley, HR Manager who enlisted William Purves’ onto the course, said: “As a team we are now equipped with a much deeper understanding of how grief impacts everyday life. Crucially, we now have the knowledge to recognise signs of need within the workplace which we may have otherwise overlooked and the skills to respond to that need.

“While hard to select one key takeaway from the training, the importance of recognising that everyone’s experience of grief is individual to them and that the power of listening cannot be underestimated will be invaluable.

“Treating our colleagues with compassion throughout their grief journey and ensuring they feel heard, respected and supported early on can potentially stave off far more serious consequences as well as strengthen and build internal bonds of support.”  

Rachel Argyle, a representative of Cruse said: “We were very excited that William Purves agreed to undertake our inaugural Grief First Aid Training.

“Given that they care for grieving families every day, their understanding of bereavement was already very high, and they were well equipped with key skills to support those suffering.

“Where the training resonated most was in giving staff the tools to recognise when fellow colleagues might be triggered by a funeral or life event, and to be more confident in initiating conversations around grief in the workplace.”

From Football Fields to Funeral Homes: A young Scot’s unexpected career journey

Bruce encourages young people to embrace unexpected career paths

Bruce Lamb (19) has joined the funeral industry and is encouraging other young people to keep an open mind when considering their career choices.

Broxburn-based Bruce works alongside his father at Scotmid Funerals in Forrester Park, where his role includes preparing coffins, ceremonial driving and speaking with recently bereaved family members. No two days are the same for Bruce, something he has described as “one of the best parts of the job”.

After finishing school, Bruce pursued a football scholarship in Virginia, USA but, when that did not work out, he returned home to reconsider his options and choose another path.

As a young boy, Bruce was fascinated by his father’s job. He learned a lot about grief and the whole funeral experience from him, including how to approach the first conversation, managing the service arrangements and aftercare, and how this process helps the bereaved.

When the opportunity to join Scotmid Funerals at Forrester Park came, he jumped at the chance and is so pleased he did.

When asked what people’s reaction is to his job, Bruce answered: “Most people are taken aback to start with and quickly fire a lot of questions at me about the job. When I explain how much I enjoy my work, I receive a positive reaction.”

“I agree that it is unusual for someone my age, but Scotmid has broken the mould. I don’t mind being the youngest because l can learn so much from experienced operatives. Everyone at Scotmid has been great in helping me to be the best I can be in my post.”

Since starting his new role, Bruce has grown a strong satisfaction from his work. He said: “The best part of the job is receiving compliments or a thank you card from a bereaved persons’ relative or loved one.

“This is by far the most welcome reward in doing the job and I’m honoured to play a small role in helping others during their time of need. It’s a long way from what I originally planned to do with my life, but I can’t imagine being anywhere else now.

“I think the biggest misconception is that all funeral workers must be sad (or a little strange?!) to do the job, which is so far from the truth. There is compassion and humour within the industry, with each having their time and place.”

Bruce is now aiming to tackle this common misconception about the funeral industry and is encouraging other young people to keep an open mind when it comes to their career choices.

He continued: “I think the industry is often overlooked because schools do not promote it as a potential career. I would and have recommended the job to a few of my friends and would heartily encourage any younger person to go for it.

“I wanted to be a footballer, but I have joined the funeral industry instead. I may be going against ‘the norm’, which I think is great as it changes the definition of the role.”

Outside of work, Bruce enjoys an active lifestyle – playing for his local football team, Pumpherston u20s, and playing golf when he has free time. Sports, as well as his Xbox, gives him time to unwind after work and spend time with friends.

James Blackburn, Head of Scotmid Funerals, said: “It’s great to see the younger generations coming into the funeral care industry and taking such pride in their work for people in their time of grief.

“Bruce is a great example of embracing the fact that there is no wrong career path and I hope other young people consider funeral care as a personally and professionally rewarding career choice.”

Kiltwalk: Local undertakers step out for Held In Our Hearts

This weekend is the Edinburgh Kiltwalk and we are delighted to say that Held In Our Hearts have 55 Kilt Walkers oner the weekend over all three events.

One local team of funeral directors are walking for bereavement charity Held In Our Hearts in the Wee Wander and we can’t thank them enough.

Funeral directors Barclays are going all out to make sure that Held In Our Hearts can continue to make sure that not family go through the trauma of being alone after the death of their precious baby. The charity offer support to bereaved families and have worked closely with Barclays over the years.

This year, Valerie, Andrew, Georgia, Elaine, and Marion will undertake 4 miles and walk from Silverknowes to Murrayfield .

As Valerie shared: “ We are so delighted to have the fantastic opportunity to be able to support  in this way”

You can donate to their page here :

https://www.justgiving.com/charities/search/fundraiserdetails/52126948

Thank you Barclays Heroes!

Views sought on water cremations

The public is being asked for views on alkaline hydrolysis (water cremations), burials, funeral director licensing and funeral sector inspections in four separate public consultations.

The regulations proposed in the consultations aim to protect the dignity of the deceased and increase confidence in the funeral sector by ensuring minimum standards of good care and services are maintained.

Responses to the consultation on the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Bill showed there was public support for the introduction of new, environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional burial or cremation in Scotland.

Alkaline hydrolysis is already in use in other countries, such as Ireland, Canada and USA. This consultation sets out the safeguards which would be put in place to ensure alkaline hydrolysis would be subject to the same high standards as burial and cremation.

Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “Bereavement can be emotionally overwhelming and being able to engage with the practical issues and funeral arrangements can be very difficult.

“However, it is something everyone is likely to experience at some stage in their life, whether it’s the death of a family member, a loved one, or a friend.

“Having confidence in the care and dignity given to our loved ones, along with the compassionate and professional treatment of those bereaved, can go some way to alleviating that distress. The rare instances where this does not happen satisfactorily can have long-standing impacts on people.

“This is why we need to ensure we get the right policy and legal frameworks in place and I urge anyone with views on the issues in these consultations to take the time to respond.”

National Association of Funeral Directors Scotland President Mark Shaw said: “The National Association of Funeral Directors is delighted to welcome and support the public consultations into key areas that will help shape the funeral sector in a new, regulated landscape. 

“These new regulations designed to support the oversight of standards in the funeral sector will provide reassurance and security to bereaved people and funeral directors, while the proposed introduction of alkaline hydrolysis, or water cremation, is a step froward in offering future alternatives to burial and cremation. 

“These are incredibly important next steps to support bereaved people, and we urge everyone to have their say.” 

National Society of Allied Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) Scotland President James Morris said: “SAIF Scotland are encouraged to see the process of regulation reach the public consultation stage.

“Regulation of the Scottish funeral sector will maintain and ensure the high standards of funeral service, care of the deceased and delivery to the tens of thousands of families in need of a funeral director each year. 

“SAIF Scotland looks forward to continuing to work with the Scottish Government on what has been an open and consultative process and has thoughtfully addressed concerns shared by both the Government and the funeral sector.“

Burial and cremation consultation collection