Amy Hazel

Amy Hazel a fifth generation of the Hazel family to be in the Funeral Profession, working alongside her father Ian Hazel in the independent family business of “Ian Hazel Funerals” recently featured in the “Funeral Director Monthly “the official magazine for the National Association of Funeral Directors (N.A.F.D.) when they did an article on “Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Funeral Profession“.

Amy was quoted as saying “When I joined our company 15 years ago, or so, women were already getting established in becoming funeral directors. There are women in most funeral businesses now and a fair few new funeral homes are being started up by women.”

Amy thinks funerals have changed at least in part due to the increased number of women in the sector. She went on to say “ I do feel we are in a new generation, where the older gentlemen, who have very black and white ideas, are fading out – the ones who would have asked you to just be the admin person, and who wouldn’t entertain the idea of the alternative ways of doing funerals.” []

Amy went on to say “We have evolved funerals to be full of options, such as alternative vehicles, alternative coffins, even dressing the coffins with garlands – instead of just having the spray on the top. This is the tip of the iceberg, but I do think women are more open minded on this and possibly encourage this side more”.

When asked if she felt some people think this is a controversial view? She replied “I was worried that men reading this article would think “we embrace this too! “ Confesses Amy. “But I have a couple of male colleagues here in the office who have just said to me upon reading this: “You are right, men are traditionally more black and white! “