Britain's Youngest Undertaker

Rachael Ryan might look like any other teenager,

but she's about to turn 16

and do something none of her classmates would ever consider.

She's going to join the family business and become...

Britain's youngest undertaker.

Rachael will put be on a three-month trial by her new boss - her dad.

I will be giving her objectives over the first two months

to see if she's capable of doing them objectives.

She's going have to learn to do what she's told...

-See, this is where you're not listening!

-I am!

..she'll have to get used to dealing with the deceased...

Oh, God.

She says she can see stars, she felt very faint,

I don't know why she felt faint.

..and at the end, she'll be assessed on whether she's really got

what it takes to join the funeral trade.

I think I am ready.

She thinks she can do this and do that,

but she's only got to make one mistake

and this business could finish,

and I am not putting myself in that position.

# I've been roamin' around

# Always lookin' down at all I see... #

The last music lesson of the year at St Joseph's School in Newport.

Many of the class will be leaving school for good,

trying to make it in the outside world.

# ..Somebody, yeah... #

I can't believe school's nearly over.

It seems like just yesterday I came into year 7.

Rachael is one of the lucky ones -

she's already got a job to go to,

but it's not a job that many of Rachael's friends

have considered doing themselves.

I've told her I find it freaky,

but I said I'll be behind her whatever she chooses, I don't mind.

-Could you be an undertaker?

-No, no.

-Why?

-because I don't like blood and I don't like dead bodies.

I'm scared in case if I go to put their clothes on or something,

their arm will move and grab me, that's why I'm scared.

I think Rachael would just laugh if that happened.

She'd find it hysterical.

A lot of people do think it's freaky,

because the whole you-see-dead-people thing freaks people out,

but I've been brought up with it and my friends understand that,

that the way you're brought up is the way you're always going to live.

The company that Rachael will be joining is the family firm.

Her dad Mike owns one of the most successful funeral businesses in Newport.

Always wanted to be a funeral director. I can't tell you

the reason why I wanted to be.

It was just me, I wanted to be a funeral director.

He built it from scratch 14 years ago

and now has a thriving operation, handling up to 150 funerals a year.

I simply think I'm the best.

My business is everything.

I've been on board now 14 years, I've worked hard,

I've built it with respect and dignity, and it's everything.

Mike used to run the business with his son Thomas,

but when he left, Mike's eldest daughter Louise

gave up her job in banking to come on board.

Louise is excellent at what she does, there's no question about that,

and if I do say so myself, she's learnt everything from me.

I definitely enjoy it more than banking. Definitely.

There's always something new that you're learning,

whether it's to do with the embalming process, the doctors, the type of religion...

So many different things you come across. It's really interesting.

Mike is 60 years old and, with his retirement looming,

he wants his youngest daughter to become a funeral director too.

I've built this business for my children, nobody else.

At the end of the day, I know that when my life comes to an end,

who am I going to hand it over to?

I'd like to think that the next generation will take that on board,

and make people proud of the Ryan name throughout Newport.

Working for her dad, Rachael will need to pull her weight

if she's going to pass her three-month probation period.

Every obligation she's put in front of her as a challenge,

she will achieve, I've got no doubts in my mind.

But if it's not to be, it's not to be,

and I will make that decision to move her sidewards.

-It'll be a tough decision?

-Very tough decision,

but it's got to be made for the benefit of the company.

The Ryan's funeral home is situated on the outskirts of Newport.

Rachael's in the office and ready to start work.

Mike's plan is to teach Rachael every aspect of his business.

Now, what you need to do is put the size on them, 5-10-20,

5-6-20...

The first task for Rachael this morning is to do a stock check of the coffins.

That's the oak, that's the mahogany,

-and that means the raised top.

-OK. What about all them?

-You count all them as well, they're oak.

-But what...wh... OK.

-See, this is where you're not listening!

-I am listening!

One, two, three, four, five, six...

Rachael has to count and mark down the different types and sizes of coffin.

I'm getting bloody confused!

-Do you understand it now, love?

-Yeah, but what are they again?

That's an oak, that's a 5-10-20, so what you do now,

-right, oak, 5-10...

-I get it, I get it.

-Right.

Older sister Louise is on hand to watch over Rachael.

Right, we've got 5-6-20s - one, two, three, four, five, six.

You've got one.

They're all the one I counted.

The sums don't add up.

Chuck that in the bin, I believe Don and Steve.

Oh, thanks!

-Where's Rachael's list?

-In the bin.

-In the bin?

-Yeah.

-If there wasn't so many numbers involved, I wouldn't mind!

-Rach, it's not difficult.

-I got them right, and there was a few that was wrong...

-A few that was wrong?!

A few is an understatement!

It's a rocky start for Rachael.

I can put my hand to anything in here,

but it's taken me 14 years to do it.

She's got to learn a lot quicker.

I won't be here in 14 years' time, so she's got to be able to do what I'm doing now,

but she's got to learn it a bit quicker.

You'll still be going in 14 years, Mike.

Knowing me, I'll be dead and gone.

PHONE RINGS

Mike Ryan, can I help you?

'When someone dies, the relatives will contact Mike,

'who arranges for the body to be collected.'

One, two, three.

'He's got three other regular staff -

'John the driver...'

It doesn't bother you, working with dead bodies?

Somebody's got to do it, haven't they?

In the beginning, I was a bit apprehensive,

but now I've done so many...it's just give them the dignity you can and that's the end of it.

'There's also Don, who collects the deceased,

'and prepares the coffins and hearses, alongside Steve.'

-Do you like working here?

-Yeah, love it.

Why's that?

Well, I just like working.

I know that I'm helping somebody in their bereavement,

in a sort of way.

I've been wanting to actually go into the funeral service

since I was about seven years old.

Since I learnt about the Egyptians in school.

-Seven years old?

-Yeah.

-This was your ambition?

-Yes, it was, yes.

Not many seven-year-olds want to work with the deceased, do they?

No, there's not, no. There's some people - "Urgh!"

'There's funeral arranged for tomorrow

'and the grieving family are coming to view their father one last time.'

We're actually bringing the deceased into the restroom for viewing

and laying him in the chapel of rest.

This is for viewing purposes.

-Go down an inch, Steve, you're all right.

-Sure?

-Yeah. Ready?

-One, two, three...

-You OK there?

Yeah, perfect. All right, Steve.

The Baghurst family arrive to see their father, Paul.

Viewing a loved one is a distressing time for any family.

Better come in, Dad's at peace.

A lot of people can handle this, a lot of people can't.

Some people like to come to pay their respects.

Others can pay their respects in their own way at home.

All I can say is, he's at peace.

-Looks good, though, doesn't he?

-Yeah.

He looks peaceful, out of pain...

Very sad.

I can't...

WOMAN SOBS

Mike's job as the funeral director is to remain professional

and not get emotionally involved.

It doesn't affect me.

Doesn't affect me whatsoever.

I've got a service to carry out and try and raise their spirits,

and that's the way I try to do it.

You learn to switch off. It's, um...

You learn to put it to one side, really.

It will be a lot for Rachael to take on board.

Keep coming!

'It's the day of the funeral,

'and there are jobs to be done before everyone can leave.'

-Whose shoes are they, Steve?

-Mike's.

He's too busy, so I always make sure they're done for him.

Mike's handed Rachael the task of putting the flowers in the hearse,

but he has a particular way of doing it.

Let me explain to you what to do...

Dad, can't I just..

No, let me explain how I want them set out, Rachael.

I know what to do.

I want the two posies there.

'He has a certain way of everything being done

'and I have a certain way, but because it's his business, I've got to do what he tells me to do,

-'but I hate being told what to do.'

-Then I'll leave the rest you.

'Rachael and my dad are ridiculously similar.'

They are both very moody people.

-The big one first.

-Do the big one first, darling.

-That way?

-Yeah.

And then you can do them in any order.

No, the next order... Sorry. ..is the two little 'uns, is the grandchildren.

-You said any order!

-No, my fault, my fault.

I'll leave the rest to you, I've got to go and do some work.

Uh, this is not my thing.

-Why's it not your thing?

-I've got to lean over.

There we go.

All right, let's have a look.

Let's have a look. Let me have a look at it for you.

Very good.

Right, cards pointing out... I'm not going to touch anything, that's perfect.

No problem at all, we're chuffed to beans.

When you close down, pull it by that handle.

Dad, I know how to close a boot. It's not really that hard!

Be on your own one day, got to learn somehow.

-To close a boot(?)

-That's it, perfect.

I don't like being told what to do when and where to go.

It annoys me so much.

It's time to leave for the funeral.

Shit!

Bloody morning.

What's wrong, Mike?

-Me!

-Why?

I've come with a shirt without cufflinks, simple as that.

You've come out without cufflinks?

I've come out with a shirt without cufflinks holes in.

Is that bad?

Well, I just like wearing cufflinks on a funeral, simple as that.

Why is he so stressed?

He just likes everything to be done to perfection.

He likes it done his way, and it's just stressful for him for some reason.

I dunno, he's always been the same.

He's got high blood pressure, takes loads of tablets.

-You need to calm down, Mike.

-I can't calm down, this is me, you've got to understand that!

I'd like to go put my trousers on without you filming it.

DOGS WHIMPER Get! Get! Get in there!

HE SIGHS Bloody hell!

# The Lord's my shepherd

# I'll not want

# He makes down to lie... #

At first, Rachael's job at the funerals is to hand out

attendance cards so the families have a record of who's come.

It's a far cry from taking charge of the funeral

and leading the hearse, as her dad does.

The funeral director has the most important job at any funeral -

dealing sensitively with the bereaved.

It's a skill Mike's mastered over the years

and one he'll need to pass on to Rachael

if she's to succeed.

You've got to be conscientious. You've got to know what you're saying,

when you're saying and at the right time.

Sometime's it's hard, depending on how upset they are,

because some people are crying non-stop, constantly,

which, obviously, you've got to be prepared for it.

My dad normally deals with it. Trying to calm them down...

and give them the reassurance that they need.

But...I need to learn that.

How did Rachael do today?

She did very well. Erm...you know, she learnt...

She was sorting out the, erm, seating cards in church

and now, straight after that, she puts them in numerical order.

No problems. She's done very well.

The recession has hit Newport hard,

but to Mike, it's still home.

I love Newport.

An old saying - "you can take the boy out of Newport,

"you can't take Newport out of the boy".

I've been bought up here. I've lived here for 50...

HE LAUGHS ..60 years, I am 60 now.

And I love it.

It's not for me to move away. An old saying -

"there's no place like home".

And "home is where the heart is", and my heart is in Newport.

Mike's pulling out all the stops to keep his business thriving.

He's rung the local paper and told them about Rachael being the youngest undertaker in Britain.

Twist your bum to the car. Twist your bum.

The paper sent down a photographer.

Nice. Very nice.

I think I was a bit too posey on, um, some of the photographs

because when I see a camera I just think "pose".

You know, I think I watch a bit too much America's Next Top Model!

Rachael's training continues. Every few weeks,

Mike orders in a batch of coffins

and these need to be prepared before the deceased can be placed in them.

The first thing to do is line the coffin.

What I want you to do now, right, is start from scratch. Open that up.

This is the important job... I can do it!

Right, all it is now, you've got two pieces of this...

Louise thinks the best way for her sister to learn

is to do it herself.

Do you want to place the bottom in the bottom?

Have a guess how it goes.

But Mike finds it difficult to let go.

Place it in how you think it should go, and Dad can check it over.

-No, she needs...

-Dad!

-She'll need to be taught.

That's what I'm saying, place it in and Dad will check over it and see if it's right.

-Just do it.

-I've done it now! Done.

-No, you haven't.

Well, I wouldn't know any better. I do everything wrong.

I'll do the first staple for you and then you can do the rest.

-Let her...

-I agree with her doing the stapling, it's no problem,

but she's got to learn and she's got to listen first.

'I think he just likes things done his way.

'If they're not done his way, he's not a happy bunny.

'He likes to be in control of everything and everyone.'

-Rachael's supposed to do this.

-I'm getting her to...

-No, you're stapling it.

-I'm stapling it to show her how to do it.

It's the correct way of doing it, Louise.

-She needs to be doing it herself.

-Now I'm asking her to do it herself.

-Take the staple gun and you do it.

-Am I allowed?

Right, just do it.

I need to sort a few things out with them and I need to sort it out quick

because other than that, I'm just...

He likes doing everything himself.

And hates... Cos it might go wrong,

he doesn't trust that I might go right.

-Are you going to be all right working with your dad?

-I would be all right

-MIKE CALLS OUT FROM OFFICE

-..as long as he lets me get on with it myself.

This is a problem and you're interfering.

I was interfering? Yeah.

HE MOCKS RACHAEL

# All the single ladies All the single ladies... #

Working with your dad has its challenges,

especially when you're only just 16 years old.

Mike needs to know if she's ready to work.

She's a spoilt little brat.

Rachael is a teenager of today. Not a teenager of yesterday.

# If you like it then you should have put a ring... #

Back home and Rachael's having a party to celebrate

having turned 16.

'He does give me quite a lot, erm, and I do push it sometimes.'

I am Daddy's little princess.

I've always been Daddy's little princess.

Yes, I give Rachael a little bit too much leeway

and I think, yes, now she's coming into the business

I'm not just her father, I am her boss

and if she doesn't come on board in the right way,

she's out through the door, and I won't hesitate.

I'm a bunny!

I put the tights on.

You sure she's dressed up as a bunny?

-Yeah.

-Oh.

The papers have been delivered and Rachael is front-page news.

-See that?

-Whoa!

Princess Rachael.

I think the photo of me... on another page is disgusting.

I look like I'm death warmed up.

The girls - absolutely smashing.

They're good for publicity, aren't they, your girls?

It's not about publicity... Well, they're good for publicity,

let's take nothing away, but that's not...

that's not what the funeral trade is all about.

The funeral trade is about, I've always said,

respect, understanding and dignity to the family concerned.

Do you think you get extra business

because of your attractive young girls?

Let's just say, I don't think it's done me any harm.

Mike's staff are busy preparing for a funeral

that's taking place tomorrow, and for Mike's hearse driver, John,

it's particularly poignant.

A big friend of mine.

-Is he?

-Yeah. Yep.

A very good friend. We were friends for years and years.

-Is it not upsetting?

-It is upsetting in the beginning.

We went to pick up the body, you know, and it was upsetting then

because he died that afternoon.

And, erm... We go back a long way.

-We go back about 30 or 40 years, me and him.

-Really?

Been friends since our children were very small.

You know, it's bad enough when you pick up any body,

but when it's one of your best friends,

it is upsetting then. Then again, we've got to look after him now

and do a good job for him and his family.

Mike's given Rachael a special task.

The family of Ken Morgan, who was John's friend,

have asked for a dove release to be performed at his funeral tomorrow.

This involves three doves being set free

at the end of the service. Mike wants Rachael

to organise it.

Come and have a look and you can see that they're all pairing up.

-They've all...

-Wow.

You might be lucky to see one of them having a snog in a second.

-Really?

-Yeah.

Oh, wow! That's amazing!

So they really do love each other.

When we put in the speeches, especially for weddings,

that the birds find a partner and they mate for life,

they really do love each other.

There's something particular for Rachael to perform

before the doves are released.

You know we normally do a little speech or a poem

before the doves are released, so how would you feel about doing that?

If I put a short reading together for you, so you can help Rod then,

-before the doves are released, would that be OK?

-Yeah.

It'll only be short and sweet,

but with a lot of meaning for the family concerned.

Just get used to him. He won't hurt you, I promise.

All you need to do, if you want to step back a bit,

he'll have a fly around, yeah.

Three members of the family want to release the doves, so I don't,

but I got to do it today just in case.

So I've got experience. Yeah.

And I get to do a reading so I'm really happy.

It's the morning of Ken Morgan's funeral

and John's helping out.

You're having the honour today of driving the hearse.

Taking him to his last resting place. So that's a nice touch.

-Yeah.

-And the family have also asked him to bear for the funeral.

It's going to be an awkward day for John today. A very sad day.

The service begins, and Rachael has a few moments to practise her lines.

Go on, then.

I feel silly doing this.

"I fly with these doves To heaven above

"Where loved ones await With joy and love

"Will make glorious...

"Will make glorious my journey Set me free."

You want to say that a lot louder and a lot clearer.

Yes, I know.

Was that not good enough?

-No.

-Why not?

She wasn't loud enough. There's going to be loads of people,

traffic going past, I can just about hear her going like that.

The funeral is coming to an end.

-Are you getting on all right now?

-Yeah.

-Are you going to speak up?

-I did.

-I know, I know.

You can all keep coming, then you can see the dove release.

"My loved ones do not cry and worry of me

"For like the dove I have been set free

"God has called me to my mansion on high

"There among the clouds and the deep blue sky

"I'll fly with these doves to heaven above

"Where loved ones await with joy and love

"An escort home from you to me

"Will make glorious my journey

"Now set me free."

APPLAUSE

How did that go?

Very well, thank you, very well.

Excellent. Lovely turn out, he had.

She was fantastic. Absolutely superb. Expert.

Thank you.

I thought I was it went quite all right, actually.

I thought I could have gone a bit slower when I was speaking.

-You must have been nervous. There were a lot of people.

-I wasn't nervous.

When he started the company,

Mike only carried out four funerals a year,

but, 14 years on, he can now get that many a week.

Because of the massive increase in work,

he's bought the shop next door and is expanding.

He used to be a carpenter, so Mike's doing

the refurb of the parlour himself.

This is going to be the chapel. There's no window going in there.

All the seating is coming forward.

It doesn't even look like a chapel at the moment.

You know, you've got to expect that.

There's a long way to go.

Do me a favour, stick your foot on there.

-So you're going to have, like, a priest in here.

-Yeah.

DOG WHIMPERS

DOG WHIMPERS

Shut up!

-Has your doctor told you to be less stressed?

-Nope!

I don't actually see a doctor.

-I've had two heart attacks.

-You've had two heart attacks?

-You're joking?

-You didn't realise that, did you?

And I'm still going strong!

When the lord wants me, he'll take me.

Next door, Rachael continues her training with Steve.

I just never wear tights. I don't know how to put them on!

When relatives come to see their loved ones at a family viewing

they often ask for them to be dressed in the clothes they used to wear.

I'd hope one day that no-one, like,

twitches or anything cos that would scare the living daylights out of me.

Dressing the deceased is a physically demanding job.

-Do you think you could do this on your own?

-I couldn't do this on my own yet, I'll admit that.

It's a bit too hard for me, as yet.

She's light this one is, but we've had some 27 stones,

we've had to dress as well and I've done that by myself.

Does it make you feel uncomfortable, being around the dead bodies?

It never makes me uncomfortable.

I feel like they're asleep, I never think

that they're dead I always think they're asleep.

I always talk to the people I'm dressing, as well.

What do you say to them?

I say things like, I'll dress you nice

and make sure you look smart in front of your family.

-I got one little job for you now, Rach...

-Yeah.

-This lady's got perfume.

-Awww.

-So you can put it on.

On her wrist, as well.

There you go.

She's got straight hair this one, hasn't she?

Aw, lover.

Yeah, very good.

-OK.

-Thank you very much.

Yeah, she did really well for her first time,

I gotta be honest, she did really well.

It's a steep learning curve for a 16-year-old.

Rachael may have become Britain's youngest undertaker,

but to her mum, Pat, she's not changed a bit.

She's just a normal girl as far as I'm concerned,

she's just my Rachael.

She's a funeral director, but as she says,

she's got her own life, as well, she does do the things she likes

doing, horse-riding, shopping and everything else teenagers do.

Mike too has a hobby...

birds.

He's built an aviary in his back garden.

Hello, babies.

How many have you got, Mike?

It works out about 87 all told at the moment.

My pastime, my enjoyment...

There's a good girl, she is.

-Ah, she's gone.

-Have you ever lost any?

Oh, good god, I've lost hundreds, you come in one morning,

a cockatiel has passed on, come in here another day

and a budgie has passed on.

HE WHISTLES You hear that one?

There's been flurry of calls over the weekend

and Mike now has six deceased at rest in his mortuary.

-You got enough coffins?

-We got plenty of coffins, no problem!

It's the most he's had in at one time for months.

-Do you normally get so many?

-Uh, we've had 15 in,

I've no problems with that. The more the better.

I'd rather them come to me than anyone else, naturally.

When a body comes into Mike's mortuary, there's an important job that needs to be done.

Embalming is a process that makes the deceased hygienic

and presentable for the family to view them.

It's a job considered to be the most difficult in the profession...

I've never done embalming, I've watched embalming

and that's why, its' not my cup of tea.

The actual worst one is where they've opened them up,

the PMs, the post-mortems.

I've watched it, but I'm like John,

if it's out, then I'd prefer not to watch it, any more, we've seen it.

You don't need to carry on seeing it again, do you?

You've seen it once that's enough.

Someone's got to do it, but I'm glad I haven't.

Mike's very keen for Rachael to learn every aspect of the trade

so he's arranged for her to have a lesson with the embalmer, Ian.

From what I've seen of Rachael now,

and what she does, how she perceives it,

I believe Rachael is going to be the embalmer in this company.

I don't know where my dad has got, "she could be an embalmer," from

because yes, I can stand it and I can stand there and watch,

and I am really fascinated by it,

but he just thinks, OK, you're fascinated by it, and because I'm...

"You can be an embalmer, you can be this, you can learn that,"

and I'm kinda like, "yeah, OK!"

It takes years to qualify as an embalmer

and is a highly skilled job.

-How are you then?

-Hello.

'Ian's been an embalmer for over 30 years.'

I've embalmed more than 30,000 bodies.

You've embalmed 30,000 bodies?

Enough to fill at least a third of the millennium stadium in Cardiff.

-My God!

-And when you sit and watch a rugby match there

and you think, well I've embalmed a third of this stadium, potentially.

Would you mind if Rachael stands in and helps you out today

and takes some advice off you?

I'm looking for Rachael possibly, in a few years time, to take on

your position as an embalmer.

And that's not knocking, taking you away, right,

but to support you in your venture.

So Rachael wants to qualify as an embalmer?

Rachael's looking to go into the qualifications of an embalmer,

there's a possibility of that.

Right, it depends how she fairs and takes it on board with you.

-So you don't mind?

-Not at all!

-There you are.

What I'm going to do is get some instruments out.

Then I'll, I'll make a decision

of where we're going to inject the deceased from.

The main process of embalming is the draining of bodily fluids

and the injection of chemicals that help preserve the deceased.

-Go for it.

-I don't want to go for it,

-I don't wanna break anything.

-You won't break a thing.

Now I'm going to turn this tap on, cos what

I want to do is not force the fluid into the deceased,

I just want a comfortable, slow flow, to get fluid in.

Now, I'm quite, happy with that.

-Why?

-What's up, what's the matter?

-I just feel like I'm going to faint.

-You're going to faint?

You know when you feel like... see stars.

Take a deep breath, well not too deep a breath...

-Oh, my God.

-Do you need to get out?

Yeah, your sister will come and get you.

-Is she all right?

-Can you take her out.

She said she could see stars,

she felt very faint, I don't know why she felt faint,

because we were just talking about, what I've been doing, perhaps its

one of those things that can happen occasionally, it's a learning curve.

No, I don't feel sick, I just feel like I'm going to faint.

Rachael takes a lunch break and will

carry on with the embalming lesson later.

Ian's a very good embalmer, I only use the best.

Very good at his job, he knows his job, it's not a job I could do.

-Do you find it hard to eat with...?

-Pardon?

-Do you find it hard to eat

-with the deceased around?

-Why should I? I've been doing it for 14 years.

No. Not at all.

I wouldn't be in the embalming room eating, let me put it that way.

You'll have to get off that Facebook,

we're going to do a bit more work, you haven't got time.

OK, I need to put all that on don't I?

Good idea.

Rachael now faces a tougher test.

Ian will be embalming a body that has received a post mortem.

In this case a pathologist has had to work out the cause of death.

It's not for the squeamish is it?

Post-mortems, no, because he's had a post mortem examination,

for me to embal means that I will need to open up the deceased.

-You OK with that?

-Yeah.

What are your friends doing right now?

My friends right now, one of them's at the cinema,

one of them's in work at the hairdressers,

a few of them are shopping

and I'm in work witnessing an embalming.

-You all right with the smell?

-Yeah.

Now what I'm going to do, I need to put this into that bag

and the waste that shouldn't be there,into this bag

W'll have a little test to see if you can remember the organs.

-Oh, yeah.

-That's fat which is around the intestines.

That's one thing I don't like.

Don't say urgh, what's that?

Oh, I don't like that!

All right?

-I'm boiling.

-You think it's hot in here now,

when you're doing the PMs yourself, it'll be really hot.

I'm just a bit thirsty, I'll be straight back.

-Ah, you're going, are you?

-Just a bit thirsty. I'll be back.

-HE SIGHS

-I think she actually lasted 30 minutes

this time, I'm a bit surprised she actually threw the towel in.

Perhaps she threw the towel in to mop the sweat off her brow.

Tough job, being an embalmer?

It is a tough job and it's a lot to ask her to do, but she's taken

it on board pretty well so I got no problems with that at all.

Even though Mike is surrounded by death every day

it never brings him down. For him, death is not the end.

I'm a great believer that there is a life beyond ours

and the body is only the shell we come on this earth with.

so the actual deceased in that coffin

has actually moved on into the spiritual world.

A few years ago there was an incident in the mortuary.

Yes, I've seen ghosts, I've seen two, yeah,

since I've been here, couple of years that I've been here.

Really, what happened?

I was working out in the kitchen,

I was doing something out there and I looked round

and there was a gentleman sat on the, on the table over there.

No, Steve says he saw one. I believe it cos that is what I believe in.

It's a bit scary the thought of spirits?

Nothing scary about it at all. Nothing frightening about it at all.

Always remember the dead won't hurt you.

It's those on earth you got to be careful of.

You don't believe in them as well, do you?

Yes, I actually seen, um, a spirit, where I used to live when I was a child.

Biggish guy, he had a shotgun under his arm, dressed in all

the shooting gear he walked out of one railway embankment into another.

The whole Ryan family believe in life after death, so much so

that they regularly go to see a medium.

At a local club, Mike has set up a seance

with a lady who believes she has a special gift.

Basically, I talk to dead people! That's it, I feel sorry for people who feel when you die, you die

and that's the end of it, because, oh no, you're in for a big surprise...

You've heard of psychic Sally, this is psychic Linda!

OK, ah, all right. I've got a lady here with me,

very keen to let you know that she's round and about you at the moment.

I've got Elsie, she's very close to everybody that's here this evening.

Elsie is Mike's mother who died 15 years ago.

Linda I've gotta go over to my boy she says, she tells me

you're panicking about something, you have to slow down slightly, OK.

She says you have to slow down cos you're getting yourself worked up,

and its no good to you. You're sort of, constantly stressed.

Give them a bit more to do and slow down a bit.

-It's getting them to do it!

-Excuse me!

-Shut up!

-They say they can do it and you say, no you can't.

-Your mother tells you off about that!

-Yes, he does that all the time.

Your mother says to me that you give them

the opportunity to do it, they say, "yeah, we can do it," and you say...

-"I'll sort that out."

-Very true.

Stop it, she says, cos these girls are quite capable, OK.

God, the spirit world is so proud of you two girls, honestly,

to take this on, they really are.

Thank you ever so much for today, thank you ever so much!

Louise and Rachael are sceptical.

They're not sure Mike will listen to his mother's message.

I don't know, I think everything will come in time,

I don't think he'll start giving us the responsibility.

I think it will just go over time.

Mike's picking up a deceased from a local hospital.

He's starting to wonder if his mum's right

and he should be handing over more control.

Although I gotta respect the girls for taking it on pretty good at the moment, they're doing well,

time to let some of the reins go. But always keep the reins tight.

HORN BEEPS

Very clever, mate! Well done!

I hate people who take you out!

A pop star who had success in the '70s has unfortunately passed on

and Mike is making arrangements for the funeral.

-Who's Bob Young?

-Bob Young is an entertainer.

-For what?

-Singing, dancing.

-Equity card?

-Huh?

-Equity card?

-I ain't got a clue! Big entertainer.

PHONE RINGS

I knew you'd say that!

During her training period,

Rachael's responsibilities at the funerals

have been limited to handing out attendance cards.

Now, she sees this funeral as a chance to move up the ladder.

She wants to direct.

Direct a funeral, I want to, because even though it's nice,

you know, giving out attendance cards to the congregation,

even though that is good, I've been doing that for quite a while now.

I know my sister had to do that for quite a while before she directed,

which is kind of where I am.

I am ready to take it a step further and I know when I am ready.

It doesn't help when my dad says,

"You're not ready for this, you're not ready for that,"

and I know for a fact

that I'm the only one that knows when I'm ready to do what.

The funeral director has

the most important and sought-after job in the trade.

They're in charge of leading the hearse,

telling the family where to sit

and dealing with any crisis that might happen on the day.

It's usually only given to someone with years of experience.

Do you think she's ready to direct? >

She can think what she likes, cos if anything goes wrong,

I've got to realise she's still 16 years of age.

She thinks she's mature but I know better.

She's not going to be pushed into anything.

She thinks she can do this and do that,

but she's only got to make one mistake

and this business could finish. I am not putting myself in that position.

Mike doesn't want Rachael to direct Robert Young's funeral,

but he does want her to progress.

He's going to let her help with some of the funeral arrangements.

She's on her way to see the family.

It's a huge step forward.

I've got to ask a few questions about flower arrangements,

stuff like that. Dad's given me the reponsibility for once.

Finally doing something on my own!

He hasn't even come with me! I'm really chuffed.

So it's quite a big moment for you?

This is the biggest moment of my whole career, I think.

It makes me feel quite proud that my dad has faith in me.

I know that now. I always did.

But it's kind of like this has proved it

because now I know that he does trust me with a lot of things.

MUSIC PLAYS Is that him?

# She may be the face I can't forget... #

-Have you got the right bloke?

-Yeah!

Did you check his...?

-Does it say Young on his hand?

-What?

Cos it don't look like him.

# ..She may be the song that summer... #

-What do you think?

-Very good.

You can have it back. Absolutely beautiful singer.

Yeah, he is a good...or was a good singer, I should say.

Not is, he was.

-I like this one, this colour.

-Yeah, it is nice. I like it.

It's a bit deep for his complexion, really. Yeah, it's nice.

-DOORBELL RINGS

-Hello. How are you?

Hello, I'm Rachael.

Rachael meets up with Robert Young's son, who's also called Robert,

and his mum, the singer's ex-wife, Sue.

I just want to know what kind of flowers have you got for tomorrow,

for on top of the coffin and by the side of the coffin?

That's for one side.

I couldn't put them in the other way.

-Is that all right?

-Yes.

# ..She may be the beauty... #

Although relatively unknown now,

Robert Young was quite a star in his day and released a string of albums.

His records kind of remind me of Elvis Presley or...

-Yes, they're that sort of...

-Well, he was born on the same day

-as Elvis Presley!

-He was.

-Really?

-Same day, same year.

-He often used to say that.

-Oh, my, that's amazing.

Born on the same day, same year.

Well, I'll be off now, thank you for today. I've got all I need.

-Thank you.

-Thanks very much.

As Rachael leaves,

the family mistakenly assume SHE is the funeral director.

We presumed you were doing it.

-Ah, you thought I was doing it on my own?

-Yeah!

-I'll ask him then.

-We thought you were directing it.

-It's absolutely fine.

-If you don't want me to do it, that's fine.

-No, no, genuinely, we were hoping you would.

-All right, thank you.

The family's misunderstanding is Rachael's big opportunity.

Well, the family just said they want me to direct,

so I really, really want to. I hope so.

Whether my dad will let me direct tomorrow, I really don't know.

We'll find out at the meal cos that's when I'm going to ask him.

It's going to be fun.

The family are eating out at a local restaurant.

Rachael sees a chance to persuade Mike to give her a go at directing.

The family said when I went down to them,

that they thought I was directing on my own, already.

So I was wondering if you would give me that responsibility, cos I did so well today on my own.

Yeah, but not on a man's funeral, on a woman's funeral...

-They want her to.

->

-They want me to.

-They want you to do it on your own, to walk it?

-Yeah...

If they're happy with that, I've got no problems at all.

I said, "If you don't want me to do it, that's fine,"

-and she said, "No, I really want you to do it."

-I got no problem with that!

It's the day of Robert Young's funeral and Rachael is to be the director.

Mike and Louise do a final run-through of what she needs to do.

You say to the family at the crematorium,

-"Can the family please follow behind?"

-OK.

It's got to be very delicate and it's got to be perfection.

All I'm saying to you, I'll be the first to congratulate you

and say. "Great, you done a fabulous job," but you listen.

It was the family's request to allow her to direct the funeral.

I believed, and I got to be fair with you,

is it right, is she too naive to direct the funeral?

But I thought, "Well, it's the family's request, I got to put her in at the deep end."

Louise directed her first funeral when she was 19

and knows how worried Mike will be about anything going wrong.

I think he's worried for her, cos she hasn't done it before.

I would be the same if I was sat there.

I'd probably go in the hearse with her as well.

But once she's done it a few times, he'll be fine.

He was the same when I first done it.

-You introduce me.

-I'm not ready yet, I'm rushing round...

There's plenty of time.

As the director, it's Rachael who will walk in front of the hearse.

You're walking around here, you see the gates up there,

you walk up to the gates and take the bow as the hearse passes you.

I'll tell Bernard... Well, Bernard will know when to stop the hearse.

-So you all right with that?

-Yeah.

When you're walking, there's your stick.

-I know.

-Just to make sure you're right, love, go on.

You're doing well.

It's also Rachael's job to round up the family.

Everyone ready?

Would you like to follow behind Robert. Just make your way...

Gentleman, can I have the bearers please? Thank you.

Oh, Lord God, most holy, oh, Lord most mighty,

oh, holy and most merciful saviour,

deliver us from the bitterness of eternal death.

In the '70s,

Robert Young recorded his own version of You'll Never Walk Alone.

# Walk on, walk on

# With hope in your heart

# And you'll never walk alone

# You'll never

# Walk a-alone. #

Fantastic, really, really good, thank you.

Are you happy with all she did for you today?

I just told her it's the best funeral I've been to.

Honestly, it was really smooth.

It was lovely to hear your dad's voice at the end, nice touch.

Nice touch.

Thanks very much.

Thank you.

Didn't she do well? Magnificently.

And she looks really wonderful, she really looks lovely.

You should be proud.

-I am!

-I'm sure your dad is. I'm sure Dad is.

She was really nice then.

She was saying how well I did and everything and, em...

Well, I'm just happy I gave a good send off, to be fair.

And, em, his son, he said that

that was the best service he's ever been at,

it was absolutely beautiful. So I'm just really happy

I made that family happy and proud...of, um, his send-off.

So I'm glad I can do it.

It's a few weeks later

and the success of Robert Young's funeral has had a big impact

on Mike's view of Rachael.

I've loosened the reins.

I gave her the reins. I give her the rope

and, credit to her, she never hung herself. She done me proud.

The confidence in her -

and I had a surprise there I have to be fair -

the confidence that she took on board,

directing that funeral was outstanding.

The added responsibility has also changed Rachael's attitude to work.

The improvement in her behaviour has been 80%.

She came from being a teenager to an adult overnight.

I have changed my behaviour with my dad.

When I first come on full time, I did kind of think,

"Oh, he's my dad, he'll let me off!"

I did think that all the time, but then...

I've had to, em, grow up a bit more.

Rachael's probation is now over and Mike calls a meeting.

You've been with us three months, how do you feel the progress you made?

I feel very happy and I think I'm ready to join the business.

Officially now, she is on board, as a director.

Now this is the way forward and this is the way we're going.

With his two daughters now helping him run the business,

can Mike finally loosen the reins?

No. No, I'll never let go until I'm in my coffin myself.

I'm being honest with you. I will never let go.