The most recently qualified funeral director at a Dorset business began there for work experience when he was just 16.
Oliver Oddy became a full-time employee at Albert Marsh Funeral Directors in Wareham after his A-levels and now has a diploma in Funeral Directing.
It took two years to complete and involved coursework and an interview.
Ollie, now 30, started his career ‘behind the scenes’ as a funeral operative before learning the ropes of a funeral director.
The company, part of Dorset’s Douch Family Funeral Directors, aims to develop its staff through a career path and put them through industry qualifications.
Ollie said: “My father worked here as a bearer and when I was 16 I came for some work experience – and I never really left.
“After my A-levels a member of staff was off work and they asked me to come in and help out. That staff member took longer to return than first thought and my job became full-time.
“I started behind the scenes as a funeral operative and then moved to become a funeral director.
“So although I have just passed my diploma I have been working as a funeral director for a number of years.
“It is a special job with a great responsibility and that is something the company really emphasises to the staff.
“Albert Marsh has a long history but we continually change to meet the needs of people, which are always changing.
“While tradition is important we want to be able to offer anything requested and maintain the very high levels of service.
“It is a wonderful company to work for because it really invests in its staff.”
Emma Byron, manager of the branch, said: “Ollie has been an invaluable part of the team since he was a teenager.
“The diploma formerly qualifies him for something he was already doing with great skill and understanding.”