A 23-year-old funeral arranger from Dunstable, Bedfordshire, has opened up about her unique career choice, which she says can be a conversation "starter" or "killer" when meeting new people.
Karma Vardy, who has wanted to work in the funeral industry since she was nine years old, was inspired by the professionalism of funeral directors she encountered after losing two grandparents in quick succession at a young age.
Determined to follow her dream, she pursued studies in health and social care and, despite initial challenges entering the field, landed a role with Luton Co-op Funeralcare in August 2022.
The Call to Funeral Care
At just nine years old, Karma felt a calling to the funeral industry after experiencing the loss of two grandparents within a year at ages six and seven.
"I was around death a lot as a child and when my family were grieving, I always wondered how I could make that experience as nice as it could possibly be," she said. "And, obviously, going to a lot of funerals as well, I often just thought everyone working looked so professional and I just thought how nice it is to give somebody that final goodbye."
Initially, when Karma expressed her interest in the profession to her relatives, they believed she would "grow out of it" since she was too young to fully grasp the concept. Yet, her passion didn't wane; during her college years, while her peers pursued courses aimed at careers in midwifery or social work, Karma chose health and social care with a clear goal in mind.
"I was the only one that wanted to go into the funeral care industry," she revealed. "Once I explained that I wanted to do it because of wanting to help people, people would go, 'Yeah, I can see it, I get it.'"
Overcoming Obstacles
Post-college, in July 2019, Karma faced challenges entering the funeral sector, leading her to take up roles such as school cleaning and babysitting. In pursuit of her dream job, she attempted to gain work experience at a local funeral home, but the onset of pandemic restrictions thwarted her plans.
That was until an intriguing job listing for Luton Co-op Funeralcare in August 2022 caught the attention of Karma, who applied despite feeling "really worried" about her lack of practical experience. To her delight, she secured the position after an interview.
Reflecting on her success, Karma said: "When they told me I had the job, I couldn't quite believe it. I was so happy because I always thought it'd be such a struggle, but it's just something that came at the right time."
Her induction included a one-month training program where she learned to support the grieving effectively, carry out chapel viewings, and assisted her co-workers. Currently, her routine duties involve administrative work, liaising with churches and crematoriums, dealing with families, and maintaining the appearance of the deceased.
Navigating Grief and Death
Discussing her experience working with the dead, Karma said: "It's hard to explain how seeing the deceased feels you definitely have to look at that person as if you know that it was someone's loved one, but it can be difficult. Sometimes families ask me to attend the funeral so I make sure I'm there for them."
While most of the funerals she arranges follow traditional practices, she recalled arranging a unique Land Rover hearse for one service, remarking it was "pretty cool and the family really appreciated it".
Karma has surprisingly faced no discrimination over her age from clients; however, she noticed that once services conclude, "it's the first thing people ask once everything is over with," pointing out that many are taken aback to see someone "so young" filling such a position.
"I feel so welcome by the community and the people I've worked with, and I think the main misconception about this job is that you have to be of an older generation to do it, which to me, is untrue," Karma said.
Over time, Karma has developed a resilience when working closely with grief and mourning families each day. She added: "Sometimes, you'll be sitting with families, and something they say will strike a nerve, but it's just about being their shoulder to cry on. And obviously, everyone's human, so there will be times that you'll get upset, and there are times that I've been upset, but it's about having that connection with the family."
A Conversation Starter or Killer?
Speaking to PA Real Life, Karma shared: "It's so funny, I always say my job is either a conversation starter or a conversation killer. Either people will ask questions and be so interested, or they'll go straight off topic. The question I get the most is, 'How do you deal with those grieving families?'"
Karma believes that anyone who "can be a shoulder to cry on" should "definitely" look into joining the funeral industry. Away from her job, Karma often generates surprise when discussing her line of work, particularly with new people.
Recently single and tentative about re-entering the dating scene, Karma admits she's a bit "nervous" about divulging details of her occupation to potential partners, but feels it "depends on the person" and that the right one "will understand".
Looking to the Future
Looking to the future, Karma harbours ambitions of becoming a funeral director.
"A funeral arranger does all the planning of the funeral, guides the family through what's available to them, and the funeral director is the person that goes out there on the day to support the family," Karma added. "I'd love to be closer to the families."
Karma's journey exemplifies the dedication and compassion it takes to work in the funeral industry. It's a profession that requires empathy, resilience, and a genuine desire to support those who are grieving. As Karma's story shows, age is no barrier to pursuing a career in this meaningful field.
