Case study

Bereavement Services - Colin

Colin's interview

Video Transcript
My name's Colin Burgess and I'm the Operations Supervisor for London Borough of Lewisham bereavement services. I'm responsible for all the operations within Lewisham cemeteries; we have Grove Park Cemetery and Ladywell & Brockley Cemetery. I'm in charge for meeting the families before they bury their loved ones, and also making sure the funeral directors and the digging teams know exactly where the grave is and find out the sizes as well.

If you like getting up in the morning and going to work, with a positive attitude that you know you're going to make a difference that day, then you really thrive and really drive to actually make a difference and exert yourself the best way you possibly can. I feel this is the right industry to be in because you can change so many people's lives. When somebody buries a loved one they only do it once; you can leave a good impression with that person, that you've helped them kind of release a loved one in the best possible way you can.

The advice I'd give my child as they're growing up through the years would be to give it your all really, to try your hardest in whatever it is you decide you want to do and encouraging them to do that and then when they do find that area they want to excel at, it's harnessing that and encouraging them to do that and helping them along the way.

If I could do anything now, I probably would use the strengths and knowledge that I have gained, and actually work onto designing a new cemetery, but whether or not I have the confidence or the knowledge just yet to actually embark on such an adventure is another thing, but I can only continue to give 100% in what I'm doing now.

<< Explore job profile