Bill takes us behind the scenes of life as an undertaker
ACHELTENHAM man has written a book revealing what life was like for him during 10 years as an undertaker.
Bill Wood manages to walk the tightrope between being funny, interesting and yet still respectful in his memoirs – An Odd Undertaking.
The 58-year-old worked for a firm of funeral directors in London between 1993 and 2003 while he lived in the capital.
But he was born and raised in Cheltenham and has lived in Bishop’s Cleeve for the last 20 years.
A former pupil at Dunalley Primary School, at the same time as future ski jumping sensation Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards, Bill went on to attend Bournside School. Then, after his parents divorced, he and his mum moved to London.
She got a job as manager of the Temple Fortune branch of Mortimer and Sons Funeral Directors and it was there that he began his stint as an undertaker.
The book takes the reader through Bill’s time learning the trade and although it does include details of grim activities, such as body removal, it also contains humorous tales.
There are things that don’t go as planned, such as coffins not always fitting the many shapes and sizes of the deceased, and the banter between colleagues that helps get them through their days.
Some of the stories are bizarre. One is about a couple who hoarded an enormous number of things in their home and were found dead under books that had fallen on top of them. Funerals, exhumations and mortuary goings-on are all covered by Bill.
He has many laughs but respects the seriousness of death and sorts out some of the myths and misunderstandings of undertakers and their job. It’s an interesting read about a topic that is not often spoken about publicly.
He said: “The inspiration for the book really came from other people’s interest and intrigue, and the questions I would be asked when people found out I was an undertaker. It came from quelling their misunderstandings and telling stories of my adventures as I followed in the wake of the Grim Reaper.
“There are very few books written about the funeral business, in comparison to most other subjects. The most challenging aspect of writing the book was how to get the right balance of humour, whilst retaining respect for the solemnity of death.”
Bill and his wife live in Bishop’s Cleeve. His son and daughter have long since flown the nest but visit regularly.
For the last 18 years, he has worked as a carer at the National Star College in Ullenwood, near Cheltenham – supporting young adults with varying levels of disabilities and health issues.
And since October of last year, he has been working for South Western Ambulance Service at Staverton, as a Make Ready Operative. The job includes deep cleaning the ambulances, checking all the medical devices and restocking all the consumables.