Hear from Ben about his role as a sexton and HSR at Waikumete Cemetery.
Transcript:
Kia ora, my name is Ben. I work here at Waikumete Cemetery.
I am the sexton, is my official title - most people will know it as gravedigger. I've been working for Auckland Council for near on two years, and I've been an HSR for 8 to 10 months.
What I do day to day here at Waikumete changes; the jobs generally stay pretty similar.
So, our main focus is to support families through the burial process here at Waikumete. We also do the preparations for that in terms of making sure that the burial or the grave is dug and prepared before family arrive. We also do the maintenance as well. Part of my job is also looking at the
crematorium side of things, so it all encompasses that.
I became an HSR because - part of it was I enjoy challenges and I believe that this role brings those in that space. Being able to stand in that role to take on the challenge and the responsibility that comes with it.
And also part of it is, I appreciate - in terms of the safety part of it - I want to make sure that people are safe when they here at Waikumete, not only for me and the staff that are here as well, but also for those who are coming through with families, and the funeral directors and all those other spaces, it's important for me that everyone is safe.
A piece of advice that I would give would be just to give it a go. I think there might be a perception of what health and safety is and those who serve in that particular space, but it's a lot. It's quite an exciting world to jump into and so, for those are looking at it or for those who, they've been in the role, it may feel a little bit stagnant, to really give it a go to sink their teeth into the role, cause it opens up a lot of doors and opportunities that you may not know.
27 фев 2024
