Lots of people ask me what it is that my role as a chauffeur / bearer entails. So, without further ado, here are the details! My role starts with updating my availability every Thursday for the following week. There are 8 of us in total, although only 5 who drive, and there are 6 positions to fill each day. Certain members of the team only work on certain days so, it really is pot luck as to whether you get chosen. Some weeks I may get every day offered to me, other weeks, it might only be a few. Take this week: I have been chosen to work every day except for tomorrow, so I get a lie in! Yay! Whilst some may find that not to their liking, it also means that, I can choose when I wish to work. Next week, for instance, I have chosen to have the Tuesday off. If I wanted to, I could take a month off, it really is up to me. So, once I have my work days sorted, I will then check the list to see if I am driving one of our hearses or limousines. I’m often not selected for driving because there are others who love doing it, whereas I can take it or leave it. I will drive if required but it’s not really my thing. Regardless of whether you drive or not, everyone washes the cars that are required for that days funerals. The cars will also be washed in between funerals too, so things can get a little busy, especially if we are on a quick turnaround. Once the cars are washed, we then have a cup of tea and await our briefing. This will be given by the Funeral Director and they will use the briefing to tell us everything that needs doing to make the funeral a success based on what the client has requested. Things like, how many seats are to be reserved. Is there a webcast of the service. Are there any orders of service to be put out. Any special instructions as to where to take the flowers after the service. Basically, anything that is happening from the minute the coffin is placed into the hearse, we need to know about! Once the coffin is placed into the hearse, the bearers then make their way to the church or crematorium and set everything up ready for when the deceased arrives. Once they do, the bearers will stand at the side of the road and bow to the coffin as it passes and will then open the doors for anyone travelling in a limousine if we have one. The coffin is checked by the crematorium staff to make sure that the name matches the paperwork and then it is carried into the church or crematorium by the bearers. After a church service, the coffin is carried to the graveside where it is lowered, if the service is at a crematorium, once everyone leaves, the bearers will go back into the chapel and collect up all the orders of service and any flowers and take them outside. Once outside, the flowers are put on the patio for all to see and the orders of service are handed back to the Funeral Director to give back to the family. Once the family have left, the flowers will be taken to a family designated care home or hospice, after which, we all go home and then repeat the whole thing the following day!!

So, now you know!

Love & Light

RG