'I tell people I am training to be a teacher rather than embalmer,' says young Limerick woman

Such is their fascination with the funeral industry, Ms Fitzgerald says that her occupation is often all people want to talk about. It’s not surprising given the story behind her unorthodox introduction to the job.

A horror film titled The Autopsy of Jane Doe led Emma to seek advice from her career guidance counsellor at school. 

The movie tells the terrifying experience of father and son coroners identifying the cause of death of a young woman harbouring dark secrets. 

While the gruesome flick tested even the steeliest of nerves, Emma found herself unable to look away. She was intrigued by the complexity of the human anatomy shown on screen.

Rather than being taken aback by Emma's interest in the dead, her career guidance counsellor suggested a career in the funeral industry. It was the first time Emma had ever heard of embalming. And she immediately knew it was what she wanted to do.

“Before that I had wanted to be an interior designer so it was a giant leap to take,” Emma told the Irish Examiner. 

“I know it doesn’t sound great but watching the autopsy in the film and seeing the organs was really fascinating to me. I started to look into it more and decided this was what I wanted to do. I was really glad I spoke to my career guidance counsellor about it because I’ve had my mind set on it ever since. She made so many calls to colleges and people on my behalf. She probably did a lot more for me than for most other students."

But what was the reaction from Emma's family and friends? "My parents really wanted me to do it too. When it came to friends, a lot of people my age didn’t know what it was all about. It wasn’t until it was explained to me that I realised what it was myself. 

"The teachers were very interested in me exploring embalming and still are. My younger sister is still in the school and the teachers are always asking about me. As far as I know I am the only student who has ever gone on to do embalming.” 

Emma is enjoying working as a trainee embalmer in Griffin’s Funeral Home in Pennywell Limerick. As their youngest employee, Emma jokes that she is doted on by staff and provided with endless opportunities. People in the locality have also taken her to their hearts.

“When I’m going to the shop and wearing my scrubs with the name of the funeral home on them I always get stopped and asked questions. The older people are often more open minded. 

When I’m on a night out and people ask me what I’m doing I tell them I’m in Mary I, studying teaching. The conversation takes a different turn otherwise. People my age are often shocked because they don’t really understand what it is. 

Emma says the young and old have different attitudes to death .. and her job. "It’s strange to think that it’s the older people who aren’t as afraid of death, since they are closer to the end.”

Emma said she generally avoids discussing work with her boyfriend.

“He never really asks questions. I might want to tell him about my day and then I remember that he has a weak stomach. Neither of us really tend to talk about work.” 

The 21-year-old has settled well in Griffin’s Funeral Home.

“I was doing embalming in college but then I had my own bereavement which put things on hold for a while. Going to college seemed like the best option for me at the start because I didn’t have any family working in the funeral industry like a lot of other people do. I’m learning a lot in Griffins now. 

"The training is split into two parts, namely the theory and practical side. With the theory you'd be learning about the anatomy and the different diseases and there is chemistry to cover the fluids used as well. The practical side involves learning how to use the equipment, different techniques and how to carefully handle restorative work. 

"A lot of families don’t realise what happens after a loved one dies. It might be the case that they just don’t want to think about it but that’s understandable.” 

She describes how embalming can help families deal with a loved one's death.

“When the family want to go and see their loved ones for the last time they don’t have to worry about how they will look. We obviously take care of that. 

I know from my own bereavement that when I saw the person afterwards it was almost a relief that they looked how they were supposed to.

Tough mental resilience is extremely important for any embalmer, according to Emma.

“Luckily, I've only had a few cases of people that died who were younger than me. When it does happen you can’t really dwell on the situation. When you are finishing up after a day’s work you have to leave it all at the door. There haven’t been any difficult moments so far because the other embalmers normally prepare me for what I am walking into. I know what to expect so there is nothing that has ever made me want to leave the room. 

I’ve wanted to do this for so long that I try not to let anything bother me. I don't show emotion or anything really so I think this job is perfectly suited to me. My mum would say the exact same thing.” 

No two days are ever the same at Griffin’s Funeral Home. “On some days we might have five or six bodies. It just depends. They will always try to show me around on days when there are none so I get to learn about the paperwork and everything.”

“My favourite part would probably be the hair and makeup. It’s rewarding to see the reaction from families and how delighted they are with how the person looks. Many of them weren’t expecting them to look so well.  

"The make-up used doesn’t have to be specifically for embalming. We use your run of the mill products like Rimmel and other brands. You have to be vigilant because if something goes wrong, you can’t exactly start over. We use a lot of special creams. There is a lots of preparation needed that I never realised would have been required before.  

You’re learning what kind of fluids to use in various situations. If someone comes in with jaundice you are learning what chemicals and the amount to use.”  

For anyone interested in following a similar career path, Emma's advice is to contact the Irish Association of Funeral Directors.

“Unfortunately, not a lot of young people know about embalming. I would advise anyone young person who would like to pursue a career in the funeral industry to contact the Irish Association of Funeral Directors so they can direct them to a funeral home in their locality that might be able to help them. 

"It's not just embalming. There are so many other opportunities from working in the admin side of things to driving the hearse.”