A day in the life - David McNulty, Chief executive, Trafford council

In the first of a series of visits to some of Trafford council’s important, but often less visible, services I recently spent a day visiting Dunham Massey crematorium and cemetery.

Intending to find out more about the work of the borough’s 25 bereavement services staff, who carried out 1,625 cremations and 600 burials last year, I worked alongside two of the borough’s grave diggers – for what was admittedly the most physically demanding few hours of a working day I have had for some time.

Not quite knowing what to expect, but keen to learn, I was placed in the capable hands of Graham and Pete. After careful health and safety training, I soon realised the complexities of grave digging – would my muscles be up to the challenge? Vehicle loaded, we headed to the marked grave and began to dig. What struck me most was the care, dedication and professionalism Graham and Pete showed. In their words, a loved one dying is an extremely difficult, highly charged emotional time, so their job must be done right, first time, every time.

Careful preparation
I was reassured by their experience and knowledge, their attention to detail and safety, especially as we dug deeper. “How hard is it to dig a grave?” and “Why isn’t there a machine that does it?” my children later asked. Well, there is. But it’s only suitable in some situations and depending on the ground and the nearness of other graves, many have to be dug by hand. I was helping with one of those (pictured) and it’s a hard job.

There is a need for careful measurement and preparations to ensure no disturbance or encroachment on neighbouring graves. The hole itself has to be carefully propped as you go deeper so that it doesn’t fall in and endanger the person in the grave. There have been tragic instances elsewhere of collapses and at several points we took extreme care as we sensed possible slippages. It was also very physically demanding, especially as we got to the bottom. This was a double grave so we went down more than 7ft. The grave was more than 6ft long and had to be 28ins wide. I ache to think how much earth we (well, mainly Graham and Pete) moved.

Three hours later our job was done so it was back to the office for a quick cup of builders’ tea. Leaving Graham and Pete, I then went off to find out what goes on behind the scenes in the crematorium. Again there is a range of processes that we simply don’t imagine going on to ensure a respectful cremation. The process is now computer controlled. From start to finish the cremation takes up to five hours and at every stage there are careful controls to ensure the dignity of the remains.

I came away with an even greater admiration of the work done here. This really is customer care at its best.