My name is Angela Clohessy and my work experience within the funeral industry has spanned a period of 16 years.  I gained my Diploma in Funeral Directing with the National Association of Funeral Directors in the United Kingdom in December 2002 and I am a licensed member of the British Institute of Funeral Directors.  I was actively involved in the Rainbow Trust Charity and the Child Bereavement Trust carrying out educational seminars regarding the funeral profession plus pre-bereavement support to parents in preparation of a child’s death. Prior to that I trained as a bereavement counsellor and spent 2 years working as a Samaritan.

My professional qualifications include:

• Diploma in Funeral Directing

• Licensed Member of the British Institute of Funeral Directors

Together with my funeral service background I also work for an organisation in the United Kingdom who specialises in fatality disaster management.  My role is funeral director/repatriation assistance/mortuary support /family assistance specialist care. (This entails supporting families who are affected by a disaster, dealing with their emotional and physical needs.)

My past experience of a major fatality incident was the Tsunami in Asia.  I spent 6 months in Thailand from January to July 2005 as a Repatriation Specialist with the International Response Team assisting with the recovery, liaison of ante-mortem and post-mortem data for identification, mortuary assistance/embalming, repatriation and disposition of victims back to their relevant country and families for burial or cremation. 

Further to this work I am involved in various organisations in France as an advisor to anyone who needs help and support regarding a death and what needs to be done. I hold seminars for organisations or small groups to advise them on the laws and procedures in France and the United Kingdom following a death and how to plan ahead for the future regarding funeral planning.