Hannah Chapman and Danni Allen at the Stapleford branch
A Nottinghamshire funeral firm says it is reflecting the changing times in the industry after it appointed an all-female team at its Stapleford office.
Hannah Chapman and Danni Allen have now become well-known in the town after taking over the helm at Gillotts Funeral Directors, in Derby Road.
Funeral arranger Hannah started working at the branch in 2022 with Danni, a qualified funeral director who first joined Gillotts in 2016, having recently joined her, following fellow funeral director Alan Winfield’s move to the firm’s sister office in Kimberley.
The reshuffle is another sign of the funeral industry’s move towards employing more young women, a development which, with International Women’s Day taking place this week, both Danni and Hannah said was good both for the industry and for local families.
Hannah said: “It’s amazing working together and it’s really comforting to know that I’ve got Danni here. We’re the same age as well which helps as she’s somebody I can look up to as she’s been doing it longer than I have.
“It’s reassuring to get that support. I barely knew Danni before she came here but it’s lovely working with her and I really enjoy it.”
The industry has long been regarded as a male-led profession, but over the years that has changed, which is something that can still surprise some people who come through the door.
Funeral director Danni, 29, said: “I’ve not had it as much recently, but I’ve had it where people are expecting an older man, particularly at funerals.
“They don’t expect us to do as much but we do everything. They don’t expect me to be there on the day. It has never been a negative response, just more surprised.
“For me this is a job for life, I wouldn’t want to go into any other profession.”
Funeral arranger Hannah, 28, previously worked for bath and beauty products firm Lush, but wanted to work in the funeral industry after her father died and she was inspired by the all-female firm which arranged and conducted his funeral.
She said: “People’s reactions when I tell them what I do are divided, and this job isn’t for everyone, because it isn’t always easy.
“But it’s important to showcase that ladies can do and should do whatever they want to do without anyone telling us that we can’t which is why International Women’s Day is important. We can do whatever job we want, regardless of who we are.
“I wouldn’t want to do anything else – once you find this it’s a calling.”
Both Danni and Hannah see their role as a more than a job and one where they get to hear stories from families about a life well-lived, share tears and comfort people when they need it most as they help them to arrange their send-off.
Danni said: “I always wanted to do something in this profession since I was little and I find people are very interested in what I do.
“People don’t realise how much goes into organising funerals. It’s not just about making phone calls, it’s about making sure everything is as it should be.”