Welcome to our new staff spotlight section which highlights the many services delivered by Cork City Council on a daily basis.
In this edition of our staff spotlight, you'll get to know our cemetery supervisor, Edward Kennelly who is a cemetery supervisor for St. Michael's Cemetery.
Tell us about your job as a Cemetery Supervisor?
I am responsible for the day-to-day management of St Michael’s cemetery including administration, supervision, the maintenance of the grounds, and of course working with funeral directors and colleagues in City Hall to ensure cemetery services meet the needs of the public.
I would say it’s challenging but rewarding. There’s a great deal of paperwork and in recent years, due to the growth and diversification of our city’s population, we must adapt and keep learning about different cultures, religions and customs to ensure we respect all who enter the gates of the cemetery. Of course, tackling environmental issues is also something that I consider ensuring that the maintenance of the grounds aligns with best environmental practices.
How did you end up as a Cemetery Supervisor?
After many years in the UK working in healthcare, education and local government, I thought my experiences would suit this role. When I came back, I applied for roles at City Council, UCC and Cork County Council as I like working in the public service. I was delighted to land this job, as I believed it would be a role that I could gain great satisfaction from. Cork City Council is a good employer, so I think I made the right decision.
What does a typical day involve?
On a normal day, I arrive on site early in the morning and take a drive around the grounds of the cemetery to check for any obvious issues. I would then check emails and updates on RIP.ie to see if there are funerals booked for our cemetery that day. Once I confirm the funerals, I allocate or find the burial plots and work with my colleagues to set up and open the grave/s. Working with my team, I ensure all graves are dressed and greet the families of those who have passed and conduct the burial. When the ceremony is finished, I work with the team to clean and backfill the graves.
As Cemetery Supervisor, I also ensure maintenance tasks are completed, keep in contact with Funeral Directors and meet with/contact members of the public to address any questions or concerns.
At the end of the day, I inspect the grounds again, ensure all equipment is secured and all gates are locked up.
What is your favourite part of your job?
My favourite part of this job is working with my colleagues to deliver an important service to the public, providing support during a very tough period of their life.
What can make your job challenging at times?
The hours can be challenging as we work six days a week and every public holiday. This tends to impact my personal life, just in terms of seeing family and friends. Of course, it being Ireland, the weather can be quite challenging, no matter how bad the weather is, the funeral must go ahead.
But I would say that the most difficult aspect of the role would be carrying out the burial of infants and young children. It can be very emotionally challenging for my colleagues and I. However, we take pride in providing families with the best support we can.
The Covid 19 pandemic was an extremely challenging time for you and your colleagues in cemeteries across the city, what do recall about that difficult time?
For me, the primary concern was for my team’s safety while ensuring that we could continue to provide an essential service to the people of Cork during the pandemic. We worked closely with the Parks department, ensuring that there was always staff cover.
I have to say though, from the funeral directors to the hospital staff and my own colleagues, I am proud of the work that we all did during that difficult time.
What advice would you give your younger self?
If I could give my younger self some advice, it would to not be in a hurry to grow up and to focus more on education and experiences, to enjoy life as much as possible. Never take a job for the money, do what you love and just be happy.