Marcus

This is Marcus, a dapper looking gent who wouldn’t appear out of place alongside Rex Harrison in My Fair Lady

Here’s what Marcus tells me of himself; he is a Funeral Director who entered the profession at the tender age of 17 and a half, learning the trade from the shop floor upwards he hasn’t looked back since. Marcus says its his vocation I’d say it goes beyond that

Qualifications for the job, nothing formal just empathy, discipline and do not fear the dead

Marcus rarely smiles during the execution of his work, nevertheless he encourages families to remember their loved ones with happiness and smiles and believes funerals should be joyful. Thus he broke down the word FUN(ERAL) for me

Marcus doesn’t write in lower case because he’s been form filling in upper case for 35yrs, outside of work social media and the internet plays no part in his life….a tinge of envy quickstepped through me but I can’t discard the benefits I reap from social media

Marcus lives in a flat above the place where his Clients lay pre burial, he takes care of them from receipt to delivery to the after life; my words not his, he doesn’t actually believe in an after life being an ardent follower of David Attenborough he subscribes to the belief that humans are not that precious, instead destructive predators, and once we are gone that’s it

During funeral planning meetings with the deceased’s family he removes calculators from his desk, he doesn’t want them thinking it’s just about money, he trains his staff to remain courteous in their body language whilst working, no laughter, no folded arms; a professional stance and demeanour must be presented at all times, he says you never know who’s watching therefore his staffs’ presence must not cause offence

Marcus builds trust and ensures everyone’s needs are met. The depth of trust allows him room for error he says, I somehow doubt Marcus makes errors

His clients are all ages, cultures, genders, denominations, their reasons for passing numerous. I queried how he dealt with the sadness, he says he cries and has places he goes to, this resonated deeply

Here’s what I know and observed of Marcus. He treats his Clients and their remaining family like royalty, navigating the latter through the maze of funeral preparations smoothly.

On the day of the final farewell Marcus controls without being overbearing, he leads without ego, guides without manipulation, he problems solves and organises with consummate efficiency and he responds to questions calmly, clearly and succinctly. Everyone knows their place and everything falls into place. Marcus plans meticulously he is also near telepathic in pre-empting needs and has the ability to think and act in the moment.

Marcus’s attention to detail is on point e.g. as a cricket bat wreath was being placed on the grave Marcus gave instructions which side to place it as the deceased was right handed

Marcus shared a quote with me that was said to him years ago….

“ a stranger will walk into my office and entrust me with something more precious to them than diamonds, it will be my job to look after it”

I wondered whether Marcus’s exposure to such overwhelming sadness was balanced with love and happiness, a huge smile and a joyful tear came to me as he expressed his deep seated love for and joy he gets from his children and the respect and admiration he has for his ex wife; moreover come the year 2028 Marcus is to marry his lady love Lisa…now that’s the subject of another blog