Funeral Service Times August 2017 November 2018 | Page 16

16 DISPATCHES Three minute interview Theron Hemsell, owner of Hemsell Repatriation Services Describe yourself in two words ? Determined, passionate. When you were at school, what did you want to be and why? A paramedic. I saw a documentary on the TV when I was about 14 about the ambulance service and decided there and then that that was my life goal. How wrong was I?! How did you get to be where you are today? Purely by accident, after leaving school and not being able to settle at college I was asked by a friend who was a funeral director at the now long gone Ilkeston Co-op Funeral Service if I wanted to go down to the office he managed to help him arrange paperwork, I was there later in the afternoon when the manager walked in, we hit it off and by the evening I was on my first ever first call home removal, I found my calling, I went on to working with other Co-operatives, but mainly family owned funeral homes where I was able to learn much more. Which aspect of your job do you enjoy most and why? All of it, The first call side of things because myself and the team are able to make the worst times in everyone’s lives that little bit more bearable. The long distance transfers or repatriations because I meet amazing people, and see amazing sights. What is your proudest achievement? Starting Hemsell Repatriation Services Ltd and being able to watch it grow over time. What is the best advice you've been given in work or in life in general? My dad who always pushed me to do what I wanted said that I just needed to be level headed and never give up. He passed away in 2003 and sadly never got to see the family service that he is still a big part of. What is your next goal? The final touch for HRS is already in progress, a goal that has been in the planning stage for three years, but at the moment it is very much a secret, but you will be the first to know I’m sure. Tributes for Baby & Child At a such a heartbreaking time for parents and families our woven willow and bamboo coffins can offer a gentle and comforting option. All our coffins can be painted in any colour and our Heart Tags can be attached for individual personal farewell messages. Our range includes beautiful Scatter Tubes, urns, keepsakes and memorials that are particularly appropriate for infants & children. We supply, on request, a “Baby & Child” brochure for you to show to families, featuring the most sensitive and suitable choices. We offer an in-house laser engraving service for all coffin name plaques, as well as for personalisation of caskets, keepsakes and memorials. t: 0845 388 8742 ◦ f : 0845 388 8743 ◦ e: [email protected] NOVEMBER 2018 SJM ads-2018.indd 42 TRIBUTES ... n atu ra lly *Our next day delivery service applies to all products, including personalised, except for painted coffins and plaques which will require an extra day www.funeralservicetimes.co.uk 19/07/2018 12:18:36