Derbyshire Funeral Director reflects on 12 months of helping families who have lost a loved one

Posted by rob smyth | Published: 06/06/2018


A Funeral Director has reflected on her first 12 months helping families who have lost a loved one in East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire.

Kerry Marcer was given her dream role in 2017 after being promoted to run both JH Grice, in Hatton, and Dove Funeral Service, in Uttoxeter, following seven years with Central England Co-operative Funeralcare.

The 45-year-old has spoken about the changes she has undergone after taking on the role and the reasons why she thinks it is the ‘best job in the world’.

She said: “During the past 12 months I have learned a lot about myself and also a lot about how a co-operative works. I now know more about the processes and policies that are in place and why we work towards them.

“The biggest change from being a Funeral Administrator to a Funeral Director is taking on the managerial side of the role. At first it was a strange feeling having to go from being managed to managing others and making decisions, but you soon get used to it.

“One of the other big changes that I have enjoyed is getting out in the community, meeting different people and organising events.

“I have not really changed anything about the way I work. My work ethic is still the same and I am still the same person I was when I was an administrator.

“I still feel the same about the job. I love working in funeral and cannot ever envisage doing anything else. I love caring and looking after people and helping through the toughest times of their lives.

“My plans going forward are to really develop in my role and be the best that I can be.

“The best part of being a Funeral Director is everything. Everything from the closeness you have with families and looking after them to the great colleagues that work to bring everything together for families.

“It is an amazing job and the team that I work with are absolutely brilliant and make the job a lot easier. It is a tough job but a great job.

 “I am so proud to be a Funeral Director and proud to be able to honour the lives of those who have passed away.”

Both JH Grice and Dove Funeral Service offer a 24-hour service, seven days a week.  In addition to arranging funerals, Kerry and both of her teams are also able to offer advice on floral tributes, monumental masonry, funeral stationery, pre-paid funeral plans and probate advice.  The teams can be contacted on 01283 812192 or 01889 564431 respectively.

 

Notes to editors

Picture caption: Kerry Marcer has now been Funeral Director at JH Grice, in Hatton, and Dove Funeral Service, in Uttoxeter, for over a year.

About Central England Co-operative

 

Central England Co-operative is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK. 

 

It is a modern, forward-looking organisation employing over 8,000 staff, with the Society’s principal areas of activity being food, funeral services, and property.

 

The company’s funeral business consists of over 120 funeral homes across 16 counties, 10 florists, masonry production and administration, Bretby Crematorium and Terry Smiths coffin factory.

 

Central England Co-operative has more than 430 trading outlets across 16 counties including; West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. 

 

The Society has an ambitious food store and funeral home development programme for 2018.

 

Central England Co-operative is proud of its reputation for ethical business practices and corporate responsibility.  It is a member of Business in the Community, the membership organisation that stands for responsible business, and has also won many business awards for excellence.  The Society supports a number of charities including Dementia UK and invests a percentage of its trading profit into local communities.

 

Becoming a member of Central England Co-operative offers a whole host of benefits ranging from collecting points every time you spend in store to earn a share of the profits, access to members activities and community initiatives including the Community Dividend Fund, which hands out grants of up to £5,000 to charities and good causes across the Society’s trading estate.

Find out how to become a Central England Co-operative member by calling 0800 0501 601, emailing members@centralengland.coop or visiting https://www.members.coop

 

For more information visit www.centralengland.coop, follow Central England Co-operative on Twitter: @mycoopfood, @mycooplife and on Facebook: facebook.com/centralenglandcooperative

 

Rob Smyth at Central England Co-operative on 01543 414140

 

Email – publicrelations@centralengland.coop