News / Funeralcare
Father and son team up in funeral care
Caring for the deceased and those left behind requires a special set of skills, including compassion, empathy and attentiveness, alongside the professionalism expected in any career.
For some, the funeral profession remains shrouded in misconceptions and stereotypes, deterring potential newcomers.
But for one Bristol family, caring for the deceased and bereaved has become a shared calling.
Meet Peter Jefferies and his son Oliver Tucker-Jefferies, who have been working side by side in funeral care.
Peter Jefferies and his son Oliver Tucker-Jefferies have been working side by side in funeral care – photo: Co-op Funeralcare
Oliver, 25, followed his father’s footsteps into the sector, first in a three-month contract at Co-op Funeralcare’s Bristol care centre.
Having found his “calling” in the field, Oliver has risen through the ranks to become care logistics lead, overseeing around 3,300 funerals annually, while his father Peter continues his role within the funeral service crew.
Despite the familiarity Oliver treats his father as just another colleague maintaining professionalism.
Peter said: “As care logistics lead, Oliver treats me the same as any other colleague. We always put families first and keep things professional.
“The only time it’s been noticeable is when I moved from nights to days and became known as ‘Ollie’s dad’ – a title I’m very proud of, but one I keep for outside of work.”
For Peter, 75, too it was a late calling in life after retiring from a 30-year career in newspaper distribution of the Bristol Evening Post.
After following the footsteps of a friend, Peter embarked on a new career path in funeral care in 2008.
He found fulfilment in the new job and advanced to night ambulance crew. After six years in the role, he returned to the funeral service crew team in 2025.
Oliver pointed out that some of the most meaningful moments have come when supporting some of the people who he knew personally and what it means so much for families.
He said: “Over the last five years, we’ve helped organise around 15 funerals for close family and friends.
“Those are the moments that really bring home how important this role is and make me especially proud to work alongside my dad.
“There’s no better feeling than being able to support a family on one of their hardest days.”
Father-and-son duo found their shared calling in funeral care – photo: Oliver Tucker-Jefferies
Peter and Oliver are not the only ones working with the sector. Peter’s daughter works as a coroner officer in the local coroner’s court making it a shared family vocation.
Main photo: Oliver Tucker-Jefferies
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