Oke Links November/December 21

Page 66

TRADE SECRETS

David Albery Albery and Redstone Funeral Directors Where are you based and how long have you been in business? We are based in Okehampton, the business was founded in 1850 in South Zeal, we moved to its current location in East Street in 2014. Can you explain about your name? In 2015 I purchased the family funeral business of Redstone Funeral Services, to run alongside my independent company ‘Okehampton & District Funeral Service’ to which we became ‘Incorporating Redstones’ after such time I decided to re-brand the company so the decision was made to put the names together ‘Albery & Redstone’. We are proud to be the only Independent Family Funeral Service in Okehampton. So it is not a partnership, I am a sole trader. People would assume your job is quite sad dealing with death. Is this a harsh description? This is a very common assumption, indeed we look after the departed, and care for the bereaved at their most desperate hour, but our time is taken up most with caring for those left behind, and each day is a privilege, I am always very humbled when a family entrust their loved one into my care, it is a great duty and an honour, but it isn’t all sadness. Yes there are sad times, and tragic times, you must always have empathy to their needs, but there is

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also so much love, laughter and also celebration for a life lived long and well. Being able to fulfil a family’s request to lay their loved one to rest must be rewarding as well. Is that true? This has to be in my opinion one of the most rewarding professions, to be able to do the last thing I can do for someone is a unique privilege. It is always so wonderful to receive a thank you card from a family in the midst of what they are going through. They will remember what I have done for them forever, we play a very special part in their lives for a short space of time, and I will do whatever I can to make it as easy as possible for them.

held ceremonies in barns, farm buildings and in ‘Woodland burial grounds’.

How long do you have to train to Have there been any examples of become a funeral director? requests that have been unique? No amount of theoretical training will Funerals can take many forms these totally prepare you to be a funeral days from the very traditional to the director, it comes down to years of most alternative. Providing it is legal dedicated practical service to the and dignified, we are only limited by our profession, also life experiences imagination. Just the other day we took moulds and shapes you along the way. a gentleman to church in an immaculate I have had the privilege of being in the vintage 1965 Moggy Traveller Hearse, funeral profession for 25 years and I we hired this in at the request of the am still learning, as the years go on, family. I have also conducted services the profession changes and you need to where the coffin has been conveyed adapt to meet the expectations of our to church by tractor and trailer, horse clients today. This is a vocation, it is a Funeral and carriage, VW Campervan Hearse Directors way of life, it certainly would not suit Established 1850 to name but a few. I have conducted everybody, being on call 24/7, getting funeral services in families gardens, called out of bed to attend a loved one followed by burial on their own land, a 3am, but I wouldn’t change a thing. I

ALBERY & REDSTONE

ALBERY & REDSTONE Funeral Directors

love what I do.

Established 1850

ALBERY & REDSTONE Funeral Directors Established 1850

Independent Funeral Directors Established for Five Generations

Okehampton’s only independent funeral service

Traditional and alternative arrangements tailored to your individual requirements 24 Hour personal care of David Albery, Funeral Director • Pre-payment funeral plans available 15 East Street . Okehampton . Devon . EX20 1AS 01837 55299 or 840205 www.okehamptonfunerals.co.uk 66

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