'My kids like to say that Daddy sends people to heaven which is better than Daddy is going to prison'

David Lee stepped away from his post as operations manager at a prison to work in the funeral industry, having been given an insight into the job by his father.

He said: "Over the years I had seen the passion my dad had for what he did, and how rewarding he found the work.”

David, 35, has two young children, which prompted his move from HMP Lowdham Grange, where he had worked for 12 years. He said: “My kids aren’t really old enough to understand what I do for a living, but they like to say that Daddy sends people to heaven. Which is better than what they used to say: Daddy is going to prison!

“I learned so much in the prison service that has helped me in the funeral sector. I had to talk myself out of difficult and dangerous situations back then, so I learned to be able to talk to anyone about anything. That’s important in my role now; to be able to talk to people going through a difficult time about whatever they need to get off their chests, to truly listen to them and understand their worries."

"I also learned never to judge a book by its cover, and that everyone has their own individual story.

"The best thing about the job is being able to lift a weight from people at a time they really need it.”

David, who lives in Nottingham, has worked for Co-op Funeralcare for almost four years, first as a funeral services operative and more recently, a funeral director following a promotion. His father has worked for the company for 20 years.

Covid is the biggest challenge that David has faced. He said: “We haven’t been able to spend as much time with families as usual and restricted funeral services have meant that people have had some difficult decisions to make.

“We have adapted to make sure we are still giving everyone the send-off they deserve – so we might drive through a street where loved ones are waiting to watch the hearse pass by, or we can arrange to drive past a place that was very special to the person and family.

“Although it’s been really tough, I appreciate how the team has dealt with the challenges to ensure we’re here for the community in their greatest time of need.”