Your Trusted Funeral Director in Dil’s Funeral Services
- Personal Journey
David, can you share a defining moment in your life that inspired you to pursue a career in funeral service?
There was no single moment that led me to become a Funeral Director, but it had always been a profession I had thought about, as I enjoy helping people.
How has your upbringing or personal values shaped the way you approach your role as a Funeral Director?
My upbringing from an early age has shaped my life and had a lot to do with how I approach the role of a Funeral Director. Brought up in a Christian household and as a member of my church from a young age, has helped shape my compassionate approach to others, in all areas of my life.
- Experiencing Personal Grief
Can you tell us about a time when you experienced a personal loss? How did that experience influence the way you support grieving families today?
I can remember attending my grandma’s service and looking at how the Funeral Director was able to bring the aspects of the Funeral together and make the occasion a lasting memory of her and support the family. This is how I approach each Funeral I have the privilege of assisting on, with a focus on the loved one’s memory and the grieving family.
What lessons did you learn from your own grief that you apply in your work with families going through similar experiences?
I learned how important it is to work with families and hear the stories and memories of their loved that has passed away. Working with each family to help them through this time of grief.
- Professional Insights
What does it mean to you to be a Funeral Director in a community like Albany?
I approach being a Funeral Director as a privilege to be able to assist members of the local community and work with them in a time of need.
Can you describe a moment in your career where you felt you truly made a difference in a family’s grieving process?
I had one funeral where there was a high level of grief, with lots of emotion added to it. To be able to work alongside that family and help them through this time was a real joy and privilege to be able to do.
What is the most rewarding aspect of guiding families through such a difficult time, and how do you stay motivated in your role?
When at the end of the Funeral the family say a very BIG thank you for helping them through this time of need.
- Supporting Families
When families come to you in their time of need, how do you help them find comfort and clarity amidst their grief?
By listening to them, and talking to them, gently getting them to open up and talk about the person that has passed away.
- Coping Mechanisms
What advice would you give to other Funeral Directors or those considering entering the profession about managing the emotional challenges of the role?
It is a rewarding job to be able to help families through a time of need, and you need to remember to have a hobby, sport or interest outside of work that you are able to do to be able to switch off at the end of the day.
- Advice for Grieving Families
What are some common misconceptions about grief that you often encounter, and how do you help families navigate through them?
Families might say that they want the service to be held within 2 to 3 days because they think by having the service quickly they will start to feel normal, but this is not the case. Taking your time to plan and put together the service is far more important, to be able to step through the process of Grief.
How do you support families in finding their own unique ways to honour and remember their loved ones?
By asking questions about that family member what their interests were, hobbies, what they did for a job and the biggest aspect of this to listen and take this all in.
- The Importance of Personal Touch
In your experience, what makes a funeral service truly reflective of a person’s life, and how do you help families achieve that?
Including aspects within the funeral that reflect the person’s life. One of the ways I help families achieve this is by allowing the family to bring personal touches of that person to the service, it might be what they liked to do as a hobby and have this displayed on the casket. By doing this you make each service personal to that family.
- Personal Reflections
How has your work in funeral service changed your perspective on the importance of community and connection?
Working as a Funeral director has strengthened the connection I already had with the importance of working with and within a community.
What personal qualities do you believe are essential for a Funeral Director, and how do you cultivate these in your daily work?
The main role of a Funeral Director is to communicate with people. To be a Funeral Director you need to be a people person and one of the most essential qualities is the ability to be able to get alongside the families and listen and take note of what the needs and requirements are.
- Closing Thoughts
Is there a message or piece of advice you would like to share with families who are facing the loss of a loved one?
Allow yourself to Grieve and take time to support each other, not just in the time leading up to the service and the service itself, but in the days and months afterwards, this is very important.
What do you hope families remember about their experience with you and Dils Funeral Services?
I would like to hope that their time with Dil’s Funeral Services was a time of caring and that they had a service that reflected their family member who had passed away.
