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Miles and Daughters Funeral Directors has announced the appointment of Catherine Shaw to the role of funeral arranger.
A former pub manager, Shaw has more than 20 years of experience in the pub trade, having worked at various establishments in Reading.
Shaw is based in the funeral provider’s branch in Northumberland Avenue in Whitley Wood, Reading, which opened late last year.
Shaw said: “It was last year when I was on the verge of turning 40. I was pulling a pint and I just had the realisation; is this something I want to be doing when I am 65? I had enjoyed working in pubs, but it does become more difficult when you have children and have to work anti-social hours.
“Then I considered what I did want to do, and I have always been interested in funerals. I had a tiny bit of experience working at a funeral company briefly a long time ago when a friend who worked there needed an extra pair of hands. I remembered how much I enjoyed it and thought it would be a good career move.”
She added: “There are some transferable skills – you work very closely with people and have to build relationships quickly. People I used to serve have asked me about the change and they’re either really shocked or have a thousand and one questions. But I have loved meeting people and helping them find a way through difficult times.”
