Teen joins family firm as junior undertaker (From South Wales Argus)

Teen joins family firm as junior undertaker

10:20am Thursday 1st July 2010 in News

LIKE many teenagers Rachael Ryan is starting to think about what she would like to do in the future, but her preferred job would not be most people’s first choice.

Following in the footsteps of her sister and father before her, the Newport youngster is preparing for a career as a funeral director and at just 15 she could be the world’s youngest independent female family funeral director in training.

The Year 10 St Joseph’s School pupil who will take her GCSE’s next year, is currently on work experience at her father’s Malpas business Michael G Ryan and Son Funeral Directors with the hope of joining the company full time next year.

The keen singer and Irish dancer has been helping out since the age of 13, carrying out clerical duties, but has enjoyed a more hands-on role this week, helping at a funeral, witnessing the embalming process and learning how to line a coffin.

Though it might not seem like the most obvious job choice for a young woman, she will get plenty of tips from her sister Louise, 21, who joined the company in 2008 and is believed to be the world’s youngest independent female family funeral director.

After undergoing training Rachael will join her dad Mike, 59, who started the business on Malpas Road 12 years ago, arranging funerals and leading hearses to churches and crematoriums in traditional top hat and tails.

Rachael said her only worry is that she will fall whilst walking in front of a hearse.

She said: “It will be nice working with my family. I don’t have to worry about getting to know anyone and they will be there to reassure me and show me what to do.”