‘Dad would be so proud' - Nottinghamshire woman inspired to become funeral director after death of her father

Jodie Wardle joined the team at Gillotts Funeral Directors’ branch on Main Street, Kimberley, in 2021, a year after the death of her dad, John.

And, as the UK marks National Grief Awareness Week, she has said how getting the job at Gillotts is “so rewarding” and she believes her dad would be proud of her achievements.

She has also shared advice on how to cope following the loss of a loved one.

Jodie, who has previously worked in administration for the NHS and the British Army military police, said: “You think that you know and understand grief, until you lose a close member of your family or a close friend.

“It’s important to realise everyone is different and everyone grieves in a different way.

“There are also many stages of grief, and that process never ends; it gets easier over time, but it never ends.

“For me, I felt a lot of anger at first. I would be in the supermarket and there would be people in there, going about their business and smiling. I was angry they were so happy, while I was grieving for my dad.

“The best advice I can give is to keep talking about your loved one following their death. Keep their memory alive and maybe make a memory box.

“I have a box that has keepsakes in it that remind me of my dad, such as his socks and a piece of paper with his handwriting on it.”

John’s funeral was organised by the team at Gillotts in Kimberley.

And, pleased with the care and compassion given to her family during a difficult time, when a job came up at Gillotts, Jodie applied.

“I wanted a career change and so applied for the job with Gillotts,” she said.

“It’s a sad, but rewarding job. I grew up in Kimberley and I’m often dealing with families of people I know. That local connection in a close-knit community like Kimberley is so important.”

Her career choice was questioned by her son, who wondered how she would cope with the nature of the work.

She said: “I have a phobia of tomato ketchup. It’s so bad I can’t even have it in the house, so he did wonder if I would be able to handle working at Gillotts, but it’s the best job I have ever had, and I find it both rewarding and interesting.”