Biography of Jackie

The job of Undertaker is an old fashioned term. As opposed to a Funeral Director, Jackie undertakes full responsibility for the deceased, from the moment a person dies (when their body is brought to Ellis brothers in Rye), is prepared for 'last offices' made clean, tidy and cool before it goes into a coffin. Jackie's compassionate descriptions of dealing with families going through  bereavement show the degree of her deep understanding and sensitivity about difficult decisions families must make at this time. The inevitability of death which will happen to us all is not easy for many people to talk about. But Jackie started work at the age of 14 in Ellis Brothers with her father who was the Undertaker and her Mum was a midwife. 

Jackie describes her family who, as she says 'hatched and dispatched'  people in and around Rye over the years. Changes in official bureaucracy, rising costs and growing awareness of the environmental impact of cremation and burial offer thought provoking questions about sustainable solutions for the future of Jackie's family business.

Audio of interview with Jackie