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Anita Holdich, aged 49, from Doncaster, started Co-op Funeralcare’s apprenticeship scheme 10 months ago, after a 10-year career as a conference centre manager at Lincoln Cathedral.

In her previous role, Anita’s caring personality meantt she found herself frequently supporting bereaved families that attended the cathedral.

It soon became apparent that shr was more suited to a role where she could offer her support and guidance to the local community, and shr successfully applied for the apprenticeship role at Co-op Funeralcare.

When she started, Anita had an ambition that she wanted to work towards becoming a funeral director – and her passion and personable nature enabled her to be promoted to her dream role after working at Co-op Funeralcare for just nine months.

Anita said: "I am thoroughly enjoying this new line of work, it’s been the best decision I’ve made.

“It’s rewarding to be part of something so important to the community, helping people through a tough time.”

Co-op Funeralcare, which for the past seven years has been one of the UK’s leading employers of apprentices, has this month welcomed its 3,000th recruit.

The apprenticeship scheme has attracted a diverse range of applicants over the past four years, drawing in people of all ages and from all walks of life.

From classical musicians to plumbers and police officers, Funeralcare is often the chosen career for those wanting a new and rewarding challenge.

Karen Seth, Co-op Funeral and Life Planning people director, said: “Working within the funeral industry can be an extremely rewarding and satisfying career and it’s a great achievement for the business to welcome our 3,000th apprentice.

“Our intention has always been to provide people from all backgrounds with the opportunity to develop a worthwhile career in funerals.

“Providing they possess care, ambition, excellent service and organisational skills, we can teach everything else on the job.”

About 30-40 apprentices were recruited every month in 2019.