I work in a job nobody wants but it led me to the love of my life – our colleague even officiated our wedding
FOR this happy couple, the vow “until death do us part” means even more to them.
Louise and Paul Newman are both funeral directors at Co-op Funeralcare and fell in love after meeting at work.
The newlyweds first crossed paths in November 2019 when Louise joined the Canterbury Care Centre’s funeral service crew.
She had only planned to stay in the role for a few years, until fate – and Paul – changed everything.
But the smitten pair, from Kent, recently tied the knot after working side by side – and a colleague even officiated their ceremony.
Louise said: “Meeting Paul changed my entire journey. I’d planned to move away, but he encouraged me to stay and pursue a career in funeralcare.
“We are both lucky to have great colleagues at our branches, some of whom were able to celebrate our special day with us.
“One of our funeral celebrants, who has become a friend, even officiated the wedding service for us.”
With shifts on call and occasional late stays, balancing work and romance is a routine they have learnt to master.
“If one of us is on call, we both help each other out – it’s just natural”, Louise told us.
“We try to separate work from home life, but sometimes if we are called in or working late, having a partner who understands this makes a huge difference.”
Paul had been with Co-op Funeralcare for over 20 years and transferred from London to Kent in 2007.
He was inspired to take up the career by his father, also funeral director in London.
Louise, meanwhile, joined Co-op Funeralcare in Canterbury after 18 years in an admin role with the NHS after craving a more hands-on role where she could connect with people.
What she didn’t expect, however, was to find her soulmate
She said: “Paul’s encouragement made me want to become a funeral director myself, and he supported me massively along the way.”
And working in funeralcare has shaped the couple’s outlook on life.
“Our work sometimes means that we are exposed to families experiencing tragic and unexpected loss of life”, said Louise.
“It’s made us acutely aware that life can be too short, as well as the importance of making the most of every day. It’s comforting to have a partner who gets it.
“It’s important to always remain professional and be there to support each other.
“It’s comforting to know that if you’ve had a more challenging day, your partner will appreciate how you’re feeling and empathise.”