What does a funeral arranger do?

What does a funeral arranger do?

A funeral arranger will help you with everything needed to organise a funeral.

They will:

• meet with you to discuss your plans and ideas for the funeral or memorial
• support you with paperwork and documentation
• arrange the funeral the venue and help you find the right person to lead the service
• support you and your family throughout the arrangement process and after the funeral, helping you find bereavement support charities and services if needed

What made you become a funeral arranger?

Tracey Harriman from F A Holland Co-op Funeralcare, saw the role advertised seven and a half years ago and ‘it just felt right’, whilst Tash Mackay from Windsor Co-op Funeralcare became a funeral arranger after graduating university. ‘There wasn’t one specific thing that pushed me towards it. I had just finished university and I was feeling directionless, and the job listing showed up. My sister encouraged me to apply, reasoning that I would be able to help people, and that’s what I really wanted to do. I’m glad I applied – it has changed my life completely,’ says Tash.

What is your favourite part of the job?

From meeting new and interesting people, like the celebrants, florists and clients, to helping families talk about their loved ones, there are many great things about being a funeral arranger.

Tara Renee Petar from Potters Bar Co-op Funeralcare loves making the process easier for the families by taking some weight and worry off of their shoulders: ‘I've had a family recently who'd seen on TV about a funeral company who did not take proper care of the deceased and they were worried the same would happen to their sister. When they came to visit her, they were quite pleased with how she looked and how the keepsakes were placed in the coffin with her. That meant so much to me that I alleviated their worries and showed them that their sister was in good hands.’

What’s the most memorable service you’ve helped arrange?

Our funeral arrangers have organised all types of funerals – on a canal where the coffin was carried on a narrow boat or when the EastEnders theme tune was used as the exit music.

Amy Orfali from Filey Co-op Funeralcare says her most memorable service was for a young man who died of cancer: ‘He loved superheroes and all things Marvel and DC so he had a Superman flag draped over his coffin and he wore a suit with a Superman t-shirt underneath just like Clark Kent. All of the guests at his funeral dressed up – some were in stormtrooper outfits or wearing superhero t-shirts. His coffin came into the chapel to the Superman theme tune and everyone smiled.’

Every day you meet people going through a difficult time. How does that affect you?

Although there are challenges, the funeral arrangers we talked to find it incredibly rewarding to listen to their clients’ stories.

Having already lost her parents and some close friends, Tara Renee Petar finds she can really empathise with her clients: ‘I enjoy helping people during one of the hardest times they'll face. In my arrangement room, I tell families that it is a safe place so they can cry, laugh, swear and rant – whatever their emotion is, they are welcome and safe to share it with me. They seem to appreciate that and have said that they felt more relaxed during the process and that ‘it wasn't as bad’ as they'd imagined it would be.’

Tash Mackay feels it’s a privilege to help people during a difficult time: ’When people grieve, those around them might begin to feel a bit lost – what can they possibly do for them? I’m one of the few people who can actually help take some of the weight off their shoulders. The funeral is such an important part of the grieving process, and it is incredibly special to help these families along on that journey and support them.’

What characteristics do you have that makes you suited to being a funeral arranger?

Tracey Harriman says you need ‘empathy, the ability to listen and to embrace differences,’ whilst Tara Renee Petar believes that her clients see her more like a friend. ‘I am a people person and an open person. Although I do my job in a professional manner, I like to believe people see me as a friend rather than just a funeral arranger. That they can put their trust in me. My focus is them and their loved one. I don't call them my 'clients', I call them my 'families' because I do my best to take care of them and their needs as if they were my own family.’

What’s your fondest memory as a funeral arranger?

For our funeral arrangers, it’s often the thanks they get from their clients and knowing that they helped them say goodbye to their loved one that makes being a funeral arranger so worthwhile.

For Paul Evans from Stone Co-op Funeralcare, it was preparing the funeral for his colleague: ‘I had arranged the funeral for her uncle a few weeks before. She rang to thank me for looking after her family, and jokingly said if I die I want you to arrange my funeral. Sadly, a month later, I did because she lost her life to Covid. It was a total privilege to look after her. We had Covid restrictions, but I was still able to do a lot of little things to try and make it special. To be requested and in a position to help at that time was unbelievable.’

From planning unique funerals to meeting new people and helping others, working as a funeral arranger can be a very rewarding job.

If you are interested in becoming a funeral arranger see the latest jobs with Co-op Funeralcare.