Young funeral director completes Funeral Partners apprenticeship
Having joined as a casual bearer and driver in 2021, Jyden Asher worked his way up to a full-time funeral service operative position
Funeral Partners has announced that 24-year-old Jyden Asher has become the first person at network branch, Huddersfield Funeral Home, in West Yorkshire, to pass its funeral director apprenticeship.
Having joined as a casual bearer and driver in 2021, Asher worked his way up to a full-time funeral service operative position and then onto a trainee funeral director.
After that, he was offered the chance to join Funeral Partners’ career development scheme, which marries on-the-job training with classroom-based learning about the industry.
Asher said: “When I am doing arrangements, people often openly ask me how old I am. Generally, people are pleased to see a young person taking on a big responsibility in such a sensitive role. They understand how it can help young adults who are grieving to speak with someone their own age.
“I am of Caribbean descent, and we conduct a lot of funerals for the local Caribbean community. I have found that clients, families and local businesses appreciate having someone they can connect and relate to whilst arranging and directing a funeral for their loved ones. It can be a real comfort.”
He added: “I love the job, and you never know who is going to walk through the door, every client and their needs are different. Funeral Partners and the team at Huddersfield have been brilliant with me. From coming in with such little experience to now being able to be at the forefront for our families, shows how much faith they have in me.”
Keith Clegg, area development manager at Funeral Partners, said: “When I first interviewed Jyden, I could see his potential and had no doubts about giving him the position. He is extremely likeable and receives lots of praise and admiration from our clients and colleagues alike. He always goes the extra mile to support his clients and is more than willing to step in where needed to ensure a first-class client service.
“I see Jyden’s career path as being very similar to mine; we both started in the industry early, and my manager became my mentor, much the way I want to support him now through his journey with Funeral Partners.”
