Undertaking - may not be your cup of tea!
Undertaking - may not be your cup of tea!
Author
Discussion

deeps

Original Poster:

5,425 posts

258 months

Sunday 27th December 2009
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Just thought I'd post this out of curiosity more than anything. My father is a Funeral Director, but he's been semi retired for several years leaving another chap to run the business for him on a profit share basis.

The other chap has now handed his notice in, so the old man will be back running it full time again. I asked him why he doesn't find another manager/profit share person to run it, and he said he would but they would be very hard to find, ie. has to be very reliable and competent in running the business.

If it was my cup of tea I would do it myself, but it isn't! But it's a great opportunity for someone who has experience, it's just finding that someone.

Everything is there, premises, cars etc, and most importantly the good name.
So is it really that hard to find an experienced undertaker that would take it on?

ymwoods

2,193 posts

194 months

Sunday 27th December 2009
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Probably hard to find an experienced guy, would your dad consider taking on an apprentice so to speak?

I am guessing they would not be too young (due to the type of work) so should not be hassel in that sense, but it would mean him having to train them for however long (of which I have no ideas about the job, so couldn't say how long!)

PeteG

4,278 posts

228 months

Sunday 3rd January 2010
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What sort of qualifications do you need to be an undertaker? Anything specific, apart from good people skills and ability to lift things?

Simon Brooks

1,527 posts

268 months

Sunday 3rd January 2010
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one assumes that if you are the lifting part of the team, people skills are not that importantlaugh

TheCarpetCleaner

7,294 posts

219 months

Sunday 3rd January 2010
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Simon Brooks said:
one assumes that if you are the lifting part of the team, people skills are not that importantlaugh
I would tend to agree there hehe

I attended my first funeral last weekend, sadly for the passing of my Grandfather.

Very impressed with the whole way the funeral was done, very tasteful and the funeral directors did the service brilliantly.

It must be a hard job that requires tact, empathy and the ability to make sure you do not get too involved.

I don't think I could do it, and I find myself very capable at a lot of things.

Menguin

3,779 posts

238 months

Monday 4th January 2010
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It certainly isn't something I'd like to undertake.

AB

18,661 posts

212 months

Monday 4th January 2010
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I heard there was stiff competition.

Edited by AB on Monday 4th January 10:14

koolchris99

12,031 posts

196 months

Monday 4th January 2010
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thats pretty harsh of the guy to quit, he left him for dead.

PeteG

4,278 posts

228 months

Monday 4th January 2010
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Simon Brooks said:
one assumes that if you are the lifting part of the team, people skills are not that importantlaugh
hehe Fair point.

Alex

9,978 posts

301 months

Monday 4th January 2010
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Couldn't he get an apprentice from the local workhouse for free?

siztenboots

96 posts

234 months

Monday 4th January 2010
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would I get a company car for the weekends / odd trackday ?

ShadownINja

78,825 posts

299 months

Monday 4th January 2010
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I should imagine turnover is impressive... people must be dying to use his services.

Deva Link

26,934 posts

262 months

Monday 4th January 2010
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I guess you have to look good in black!

There's a local place to me run by quite a striking looking tall woman who certainly looks the part walking in front of the hearse.

ShadownINja

78,825 posts

299 months

Monday 4th January 2010
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Deva Link said:
I guess you have to look good in black!
I look almost invisible in black. I'm that good.

deeps

Original Poster:

5,425 posts

258 months

Monday 4th January 2010
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These old jokes have been around the block a few times biggrin

He's not looking for an apprentice, but someone with experience who can run the business as if it was their own, in return for most of the profits. I don't know what that would be exactly, but they'd probably end up with around 100k profit a year.

koolchris99

12,031 posts

196 months

Monday 4th January 2010
quotequote all
deeps said:
These old jokes have been around the block a few times biggrin

He's not looking for an apprentice, but someone with experience who can run the business as if it was their own, in return for most of the profits. I don't know what that would be exactly, but they'd probably end up with around 100k profit a year.
ill do it for 100k

i have no idea how, but i learn fast smile

mybrainhurts

90,809 posts

272 months

Monday 4th January 2010
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Why doesn't he sell...?

Most of the small undertakers in my neck of the woods have been taken over by an outfit that's been doing it for generations.

deeps

Original Poster:

5,425 posts

258 months

Monday 4th January 2010
quotequote all
mybrainhurts said:
Why doesn't he sell...?

Most of the small undertakers in my neck of the woods have been taken over by an outfit that's been doing it for generations.
He believes strongly in keeping businesses local, being treasurer of the local chamber of trade. He was approached by one of the big boys years ago but wouldn't sell. He believes in old fashioned traditions behind small friendly independent local business, and doesn't like the national outfits that perhaps don't offer the same personal level of care and attention to detail.

timatno21

21 posts

192 months

Tuesday 5th January 2010
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Deeps - where is your father's business ?

deeps

Original Poster:

5,425 posts

258 months

Tuesday 5th January 2010
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North Somerset Tim.