S A L I S B U RY L I V E S
Q&A
I have always enjoyed helping people, and to be allowed to proceed with someone’s last wish is an absolute honour. My line of work is both demanding and rewarding, as you are helping to arrange a unique event, which, hopefully, reflects the individual who has died and the wishes of those who loved them. In the past, a funeral tended to be based on tradition, with the ostrich-plumed black horses and carriage behind – now you can choose to have a simple woodland burial with just birdsong in the background. It is a privilege to be part of what is an important moment in people’s lives and support them at this time. Our business is based in Pennyfarthing Street and we work together with many other local businesses, from florists and stonemasons to printers and caterers, providing a comprehensive funeral service to the people of Salisbury and the villages beyond. No two funerals are the same. I like to think I always go the extra mile to ensure that any request is made to happen. We even did a live broadcast of the service to relatives in Australia and New Zealand once. Always Look on the Bright Side of Life by Monty Python is the most requested funeral song. I will probably have Time to Say Goodbye by Sarah Brightman played at mine. Plus the hymns Jerusalem and Abide With Me. Beef Wellington would be my perfect ‘last supper’ meal – not good for the waistline, I know. If I hadn’t become a funeral director I would have liked to be a doctor or a tea planter; I do think that there is nothing more comforting than a cup of tea any time of the day. My work has encouraged me to take each day as it comes, enjoy what you can and not to worry… life is too short and you never know what is around the corner. I like to live by the motto that we should live for today and tomorrow will take care of itself.
DARREN MACDONALD Darren MacDonald set up his funeral director business in September 2014 and was nominated in the Wiltshire Small Business Awards the following year. Here he talks last suppers, final songs and unwinding in Cathedral Close… It is fairly easy for me to switch off from work – as a father to two young boys, there is never a dull moment! I do things with them at the weekend that many dads do: we go to football practice on a Saturday morning, followed by a full English breakfast. I also have a motorhome, which gives me the perfect excuse to get behind the wheel and drive down to the wild coast of Cornwall. We take the surfboards with us, of course. My favourite thing to do in the city is taking a walk around the Cathedral Close to unwind on a summer’s evening.
82 I SALISBURY LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
My worst habit is missing lunch as I am often busy dealing with clients during the day… then finding there is still shortbread in the biscuit tin. The bravest thing I’ve ever done is abseiling down a cliff face in Wales.… I won’t be doing that again. The best days of my life to date have been seeing my two sons being born, my youngest is now 10 and the oldest is 14.
www.darrenmacdonaldfuneraldirectors.co.uk