A former pub manager has swapped pulling pints for helping bereaved families after starting work as a funeral arranger.

Catherine Shaw spent more than 20 years in the pub trade, working at various establishments in Reading.
But she has now become the face of the new Miles & Daughters Funeral Directors home in Northumberland Avenue in Whitley Wood, Reading.

Catherine admitted that while some people have found her change of career surprising, she is loving her new role and caring for the community with the help of her colleagues at Miles & Daughters and the support of Funeral Partners – the country’s third largest funeral company.

“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.

“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 shocked or have a thousand and one questions.

“But I have loved meeting people and helping them a find a way through difficult times.”
Catherine has worked in the Whitley Wood branch since it opened late last year and said she has enjoying getting to know people in the area.

“People appreciate having us here,” she said.

“There is a real community spirit, and families like to know they can have the funeral procession travel up Northumberland Avenue, which is where we are based.”

Catherine has also worked with the Whitley Community Development Association who raised money for two life-saving defibrillators to be housed in the area and volunteered for the funeral home to be one of the sites.

“They do so much great work and I was really happy to have our building chosen as a site for the defibrillator.”