Crescent Funerals welcomes UK’s youngest funeral director

James Chorley has become the UK’s youngest funeral director after completing his certificate in funeral practice at the age of 18.

Chorley joined Crescent Funeral Services in Taunton, Somerset as an apprentice after leaving school and undertook his professional training with the Independent Funeral Directors College (IFDC).

Despite the training usually taking three years, Chorley completed the course in just two and collected his certificate on 26 September.

He was presented with his certificate at the funeral practice, watched by his colleagues at Crescent Funeral Services, and his family via Zoom.

Speaking to Somerset’s County Gazette, Simon Helliar-Moore, director of Crescent Funeral Services, said: “It has been amazing to witness James applying himself to learning all aspects of the funeral profession.

“We have not held back from supporting James with his training, allowing him to experience all aspects of the profession and this has certainly helped him gain this qualification.”

He added: “Along with hard work and determination, James is a credit to the profession and has a bright career ahead of him.”