Young Shrewsbury undertaker chose career after father's death

Ryan Evans was inspired by the dignified and respectful manner of the funeral staff that helped his family

A 24-year-old man who says he became interested in becoming a funeral director after the death of his father is hoping to set up his own business.

Ryan Evans said the directors who dealt with his father were so dignified and respectful, it inspired him to think he could follow that career path.

Mr Evans, from Shrewsbury, said he was 'nosey' and wanted to see behind the scenes in that world.

He has since has worked for local firms, which he said he really enjoyed.

"It was more me being nosey more than anything, just to see what the behind scenes of the funeral director's world was like," he said.

"That's what sparked the interest, so I went round all the local funeral directors and said 'can I have a job?'.

He now works for a local firm while he also helps other funeral directors on a freelance basis

"Obviously me being young, I was pushed away quite a bit. I had no experience, I didn't know what I was doing," he added.

His father died before he turned 18 and he eventually joined a firm on a part-time basis, but working at a young boy's funeral about a year later had a lasting impact on him and led him to take a step back and change jobs.

But after his grandmother and grandfather died, and more recently his mother in September last year, he said he decided to re-join.

"Mum was my best friend, my rock, and that really spurred me on to go 'I need to get back into that industry'," he said.

"It's an industry I love, it's an industry I've got a passion for and I just needed to do it."

Love to help people

He now works for a local firm while he also helps other funeral directors on a freelance basis.

He enjoyed his work because he said he loved to help people and felt his experience of grief also gave him a greater understanding in his role.

"Everyone feels different when someone passes away, it's not a nice thing to deal with.

"But I made a pact to myself when mum passed away that I wanted to help as many people as I could, so that's the part of it I love doing."