‘It’s incredibly rewarding knowing that you’ve made a real difference’
FUNERAL director Nicola Major says she’ll always be grateful that Co-op Funeralcare took a chance on her.
Having started work for the Harrogate branch when she was just 19, Nicola, now 41, has been happily working for Co-op Funeralcare for 22 years, and now oversees six funeral homes.
“I grew up watching my uncle working as a funeral director, helping people at one of the worst times in their lives, and that inspired me,” Nicola explains. “It’s incredibly rewarding after organising a funeral, knowing that you’ve made a real difference.
“I was the first female funeral director in Harrogate, and there are so many aspects to this job that I love. The role is all about listening, being sensitive to different needs. This isn’t a nine-to-five job.
“We see the whole process through from the start, and that consistency is very important to the family.”
“Everyone has a unique story to tell, and at Co-op Funeralcare we don’t ever take the easy route. Each and every funeral service that we organise needs to reflect the life of the person who has died.
“We see the whole process through from the start, and that consistency is very important to the family. They put all their trust in you, so you need to be there every step of the way.”
Nicola has helped to create numerous bespoke services over the years, including the funeral of a 17-year-old girl.
“She was very girly and hadn’t wanted a traditional funeral, so we created a customised pink coffin for her,” Nicola says.
“I also arranged a funeral for a deceased gentleman who’d been massively into Triumph motorbikes. I organised a motorcycle hearse, where the hearse was the sidecar.
“Then during the lockdown I tracked down a red hearse for the family of a man who was a huge Liverpool FC fan. We always go that extra mile.
“It has been challenging during Covid, but we’ve delivered that personal service to clients throughout.”
We’re here to help you arrange the funeral you want, in the safest possible way, so you can say your best goodbye. To find out more visit coop.co.uk/funeralcare