Independent funeral directors A.W. Lymn The Family Funeral Service is celebrating after three trainees passed their BRAMM (British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons) fixing exams.

The qualifications have been awarded to Ethan Hickey, Isabel Walton and Charis Bull as part of a four-year trainee programme at A.W. Lymn, which offers the opportunity to gain five qualifications to kickstart a career in the funeral industry.

Set up two decades ago, the programme offers the chance to work in each department of the business, ranging from fleet maintenance to the mortuary.

The fixing exam is an important milestone in the programme and requires the trainees to demonstrate they are competent in fixing a headstone with the help of an assistant. They must ensure the headstone is at spirit level, correctly measured, tightened, and secure.

Alongside the fixing license, over the course of the programme the trainees will gain National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD)-recognised qualifications; British Institute of Embalmers (BIE) Membership; Institute of Advanced Motorists Membership (IAM) and an Emergency First Aid at Work qualification.

Ethan Hickey, 18, has moved to the Stonemason’s office to learn the about the admin side of the role after successfully completing the exam.

“After my great grandmother passed in early 2019, I never had the chance to see her before the funeral directors performed the removal, so instead I went to see her in the chapel of rest,” he said.

“I was very intrigued by what was going on behind the scenes and how things ran so smoothly. This then led me to research into funerals and the different roles involved and I told myself one day I would want to be the one who helps bereaved families.”

Ethan said he had his eyes set on working at A.W. Lymn for a long time and when the opportunity arose to join the trainee programme in 2020 he applied right away.

Isabel has moved to the A.W. Lymn Nottingham funeral home and Charis Bull has moved to the mortuary.

Commercial director at A.W. Lymn Pete Clarson, who oversees the trainees said: “We are thrilled that the trainees have all passed the BRAMM exam. They are all doing so well and we’re looking forward to watching them flourish as they progress through the rest of the programme and gain the relevant experience they need for long and successful careers in our profession.

“It’s great to see young adults who have an interest and passion for the funeral industry, which aligns with our objective of helping those wanting to pursue a career. Often people think that a job in funeral care means working with the dead – but that isn’t always the case, it’s more about looking after the living at a difficult time, which is what we like to demonstrate to our trainees.”