Fareham funeral director who followed in father's footsteps praises 'rewarding' career

Nick Carter, from Fareham Co-op Funeralcare, is hoping to inspire others to consider a career which he finds highly rewarding and fulfilling.

Nick’s father, Ron, began his working life with Co-op Funeralcare as a coffin maker, going on to become a funeral arranger and then funeral director during his 50-year career with the business.

Although Ron was drafted in to serve with the army in Korea in the 1950s, when he returned he went straight back to the funeral industry.

Nick said: ‘I used to spend weekends helping my dad polishing the fleet of limousines and hearses that were stored on site.

‘At the time, I was serving in the Royal Navy but if I were ever at home on leave and the team was short, I would act as bearer during funeral services.’

Nick left the Royal Navy to join Hampshire Police until his retirement in 2011, before opening a sports shop, Absolute Running in Gosport.

It was a chance encounter at his local gym where he heard about a vacancy as a trainee funeral director for Fareham, Havant and Hayling Island.

At his dad’s advice, he decided to apply and, after interviewing, was successful.

Nick said: ‘I never imagined I’d be following in my dad’s footsteps but seeing him talk about his job and what it meant to him, meant that I decided to give it a try. It was absolutely the right decision.

‘My dad told me that if I wanted to go home at the end of each working day, knowing that I’d made a difference to people, then this was the career for me.

‘He was right. Although it’s not always easy, I’ve never regretted my choice. Helping families when they’re at their most vulnerable is one of the most rewarding things I’ve done in my whole career.’

Co-op Funeralcare delivers apprenticeships in partnership with People Plus, offering funeral team member and funeral director apprenticeships.

For more information on careers with Co-op Funeralcare, visit co-operativefuneralcare.co.uk/about-us/careers

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