One of Central England Co-op’s youngest funeral directors is motivated to help families in need across Cambridgeshire
Posted by rob smyth | Published: 30/03/2018
One of Central England Co-op’s youngest funeral directors has revealed how the pursuit of a meaningful career saw him choose to help families at their time of need.
At just 27, Daniel Cheeseman currently oversees services out of not only the Central England Co-op Funeralcare branch, in Peterborough Road, Stanground, but also MJ Claypole, in Yaxley.
After studying English at university, Daniel decided to pursue a career in the funeral industry after his job search left him wanting to find something that would leave him able to ‘feel fulfilled’.
Four years later he has risen through the ranks and is encouraging other young people to consider a job helping people say a perfect goodbye to their loved one.
He said: “I was looking at several different career options but I wanted a meaningful job, a job where I could go home and feel fulfilled. This was how I came to the funeral industry.
“I started off working part-time administrator in Stanground and jumped at the chance when a full-time position came about at our home in Fitzwilliam Street.
“I quickly progressed into the role of senior administrator and then became a funeral director.
“I always wanted to make a real difference for all the families we serve.
“From the very first funeral I arranged, to the one that I plan to do next, I approach all of them with the same level of care and respect.
“Helping families give their loved ones the send-off they deserve gives me a real sense of purpose and is the reason I have such a passion for this job.”
Daniel also highlighted that one of the additional benefits to his role is the fact that he works for a co-operative.
He added: “There is a real strength to working for a co-operative. The ethos, the ethics and the values all work perfectly with what we do in the funeral industry.
“It also allows us to easily go out into our communities and make a difference, all while trying to break down the barriers and taboos surrounding death and funerals.”
Daniel believes that more young people would benefit from a career like his and urged them to consider it as an option.
He said: “I think I am uniquely privileged to be part of an essential service to families and to be part of helping them say the perfect goodbye to a member of family they have lost.
“I would encourage others who want to make a difference to think about the funeral industry for a career – I feel lucky to do what I do and I think others would as well.”
Central England Co-operative Funeralcare Stanground offers a 24-hour service, seven days a week. The team can be contacted on 01733 426860 or visit www.centralengland.coop/funeralcare for more details.
Notes to editors
Picture caption: Daniel Cheeseman is one of Central England Co-op’s youngster funeral directors.
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