Rhian’s passion for care of dead sparked by gran
At 23 she’s youngest Co-op funeral director in the region
A2 3 - Y E AR- O L D Rochdale funeral director has become the Co-op’s youngest director in Greater Manchester.
Rhian Messam was inspired to join the industry after redressing her grandmother for her funeral.
After working for Co-op Funeralcare as a funeral arranger for just 18 months, Rhian has now become funeral director, making her Co-op’s youngest director across the Greater Manchester region.
She now manages the Bury and Rochdale funeral homes and is bringing a fresh new perspective to the industry.
Rhian, from Oldham, made the decision to start a career in funeral care after sadly losing her grandmother in 2019.
Visiting her in the chapel of rest, Rhian was struck by the fact that she didn’t look herself, and so took matters into her own hands, redressing her for the funeral.
This experience sparked a passion in Rhian for caring for the deceased and she knew she wanted to pursue a career in the funeral industry.
She said: “I joined Co-op Funeralcare last year as a funeral arranger, three weeks before the first lockdown started and am incredibly proud to have become a funeral director within six months, particularly after beginning my career at the height of the pandemic. It has been an absolute privilege for me to support bereaved families and care for their loved ones during the past eighteen months. There is simply nothing else I would rather do. My mentality is that when you are passionate about something, you have to commit to it.
“As a young female working in this industry, I’m not what someone might expect a funeral director to be and people are often surprised when they hear about my profession.
“At Bury and Rochdale funeral homes, we have colleagues of many different ages and backgrounds and that diversity really helps us in supporting family members from across the generations.”
Rhian has often received feedback from clients that she brings light and muchneeded comfort to situations that are otherwise very distressing and is always on hand to offer new ideas that steer away from the traditional funeral.
She added: “Giving families the best possible goodbye is my number one priority. I believe that it’s important that funeral care moves with the times, which is why I have taken this opportunity to offer families new ideas from a younger perspective - whether it’s suggesting a different type of coffin, hearse or music.
“I have seen a huge shift in funerals and that they are no longer carried out in the ‘traditional way’ but really reflect the lives of those who have passed away.”
Families have been more inclined to go with a personal and unique send-off for loved ones, ranging from themed funerals and special requests to glitter coffins, which Co-op launched last year in response to the high demand.
Starting a new career at the beginning of a global pandemic is not easy. Rhian explained that the last 18 months have been challenging and rewarding but that she has built strong relationships with her colleagues, which ultimately ensures that funerals are carried out smoothly.
She added: “I have learned a great deal from all of my experienced colleagues and am very grateful for their guidance. In turn, they have appreciated having a younger colleague onboard with different ideas that perhaps they wouldn’t have thought of before.
“We are committed to serving our local communities and I’m looking forward to developing my career over the coming years.”
PLANNING applications determined with Rochdale Borough Council include: ●● AN application for a part two-storey/part single-storey side extension, following the demolition of the existing detached garage, at 28 Craiglands, Rochdale, has been granted subject to conditions. ●● THE submission of details to comply with a condition involving materials, in relation to a previous application at 76 Shaw road, Rochdale, has been completed. ●● AN application for a part two-storey, part single-storey rear extension, at 16 Denver road, Rochdale, has been refused. ●● AN application for a side dormer extension and the removal of the chimney, following the demolition of side dormer, at 66 Camberley Drive, Rochdale, has been refused. ●● AN application for prior notification for a twostorey rear extension, measuring 5m from the rear of the dwelling, with a maximum height of 5.5m, and a height to the eaves of 4m, at 7 Marland Hill Road, Rochdale, has been refused. ●● AN application for a certificate of lawfulness for a proposed singlestorey rear extension, following the demolition of conservatory, at 35 Marland Old Road, Rochdale, has been granted. ●● AN application for prior notification for the installation of a 16.32kwp solar PV system on the flat roof of the building, at Castleton Primary School and Nursery, Hillcrest Road, Rochdale, has been granted. ●● AN application for prior notification for a singlestorey extension, measuring 6m from the rear of dwelling, with a maximum height of 3.8m, and a height to the eaves of 2.6m, at 96 Waithlands Road, Rochdale, has been refused. ●● AN application for the erection of a detached dwelling, including the formation of new vehicular accesses onto Woodheys Road, at land rear of 2-4 Merlin Close, Littleborough, has been refused. ●● AN application for a certificate of lawfulness for a single-storey rear extension and alterations to the boundary walls, following the demolition of rear projection and chimneys, at 66 Shore Road, Littleborough, has been refused.
●● AN application for the erection of an agricultural building and improved means of access, at Hollingworth Manor, Peanock Lane, Littleborough, has been refused. ●● AN application for prior notification for the installation of a 24.5kwp solar PV system on the flat roof of the building, at 57-59 Drake Street, Rochdale, has been granted. ●● A RESUBMITTED application for a singlestorey rear extension, at 62 King Street East, Rochdale, has been refused. ●● A RESUBMITTED application for a side dormer extension, with the installation of rooflights, at 17 Pennine Drive, Milnrow, has been refused. ●● AN application for a two-storey front extension, following the demolition of the existing porch, at 67 Harbour Lane, Milnrow, has been granted subject to conditions. ●● THE submission of details to comply with conditions involving tree protection, lighting, landscaping scheme, bat and bird boxes, materials, finished floor and garden levels, and drainage, in relation to a previously submitted application at Mount Pleasant Farm, Church Road, Heywood, has been completed. ●● AN application for a certificate of lawfulness for a proposed singlestorey rear extension, at 5 Galbraith Way, Rochdale, has been granted. ●● AN application for a single-storey side and rear extension, following the demolition of the existing attached garage, and alteration to the fenestration to the front elevation, at 12 Nordale Park, Rochdale. ●● PRIOR approval was not required for a singlestorey extension measuring 6m from the rear of the original dwelling, with a maximum height of 2.85m, at 28 Eafield Road, Rochdale. ●● AN application for a single-storey rear extension, following the demolition of the existing conservatory, at 5 Wuerdle Place, Wardle, has been granted subject to conditions. ●● AN application for prior approval for a singlestorey extension measuring 6m from the rear of dwelling, with a maximum height of 3.7m, and a height to the eaves of 2.15m, at 9 Trefoil Way, Littleborough.