21/08/2026
Staff Appreciation Friday: Introducing Julie Waddington
This week we'd like to shine a spotlight on one of our wonderful team members, Julie Waddington, our dedicated Funeral Assistant and Office Administrator at Halifax Chapel of Repose. 🎩🕊
Born and raised in Halifax, Julie has been part of our funeral family for almost 12 years. During that time, she has become a familiar and reassuring face to countless local families, offering kindness, compassion and support when they need it most.
Julie was introduced to the funeral profession through her brother, Craig, one of our dedicated Funeral Service Operatives.
"He said to me, 'You'd be perfect for it.' He knew I was naturally good at helping people and dealing with all sorts of situations."
Looking back, it was advice that changed her life.
The reassuring voice at the end of the phone 📞
As Funeral Assistant and Office Administrator, Julie is often the very first person families speak to.
She welcomes visitors into the funeral home, answers telephone calls, supports families throughout the arrangement process and manages much of the administration behind every funeral.
From preparing paperwork and liaising with ministers, celebrants and churches, to organising orders of service and checking every detail before the day itself, Julie plays a vital role behind the scenes. She also accompanies families into our Chapel of Rest, allowing them precious time to say their final goodbyes in a peaceful and caring environment.
Although much of her work happens quietly in the background, every detail matters.
"We only get one chance, so I double-check everything. We don't just make do, we make sure families are completely happy."
She understands that people can sometimes worry about making changes.
"I always tell families that's exactly what we're here for. Every funeral is unique, and every arrangement should reflect the person you're saying goodbye to."
A caring nature from the very beginning
Ironically, Julie admits she never imagined herself working in a funeral home.
"As a little girl I was frightened of attics and funeral directors!"
Her family home overlooked a local funeral home, while her bedroom was in the attic, making both childhood fears seem very real.
Little did she know that her caring nature was quietly preparing her for exactly where she was meant to be.
After leaving school, Julie completed work experience in a care home before studying Community Care at college, learning to support elderly people, young people and those living with disabilities.
At the age of 17 Julie moved to London to become a nanny, she cared for 2 children in a large house in Clapham Common, although it was a great experience after a year Julie felt it was time to return Home to Halifax.
On her return Julie started working for Royal Sun Alliance in Household Claims and later moved onto the Halifax Bank & Santander Bank which gave Julie invaluable experience of office administration and working on the telephone. In 2007 Julie once again found herself Nannying, this time for 4 lovely children from 2 families which Julie loved and felt very blessed to be apart of their lives for 12 years. Julie feels that her previous roles in administration and her caring career has given her the right skills to enable her to support our families.
Family means everything, Julie met her soul mate Alan whilst working at the Halifax Bank when she was just 18 years old, they were married at age 20 and have just celebrated their 35th anniversary.
Together they have 3 Children, Cj, Daniel & Emma and they each have a beautiful daughter, Julie spends much of her spare time supporting her Children and granddaughters and Mammar’s Taxi is frequently called upon.
Julie enjoys her holidays and tries to get away a couple of times a year, “ life can be so busy and I think it’s important to have some down time and just relax, I’m easy to please, just give me a pool, a lounger, a Cocktail in hand and a good book on my Kindle”.
Making a difference
When asked what she enjoys most about her role, Julie doesn't hesitate.
"It's meeting families and making a difference. We can't take their grief away, but we can help make things just a little easier."
Families often tell her they've been reassured and supported.
"They'll say, 'Thank you so much, you've put our minds at rest,' or tell me we've gone above and beyond."
Julie says she simply sees it as doing her job.
"I feel incredibly blessed to be part of such an important time in people's lives. I'll do whatever I can to give families the funeral they want."
The relationships built during arrangements often continue long after the funeral.
Families regularly send flowers, cards, chocolates, biscuits and sweets to thank the team, while some have even become lifelong friends.
"We don't expect any of it, but it's lovely to know we've helped someone through such a difficult time."
The challenges that stay with you
Like everyone in the profession, some moments never become easier.
Julie says the hardest funerals are those involving children or elderly widowers suddenly left alone after decades of marriage.
"When someone tells you they don't know how they're going to live without their husband or wife, it really touches your heart."
Sometimes, Julie admits, she shares a tear with families.
"The heartbreak is real, and sometimes crying with someone is simply being human."
She also reflects on one of the most difficult periods of her career, the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It was heart-breaking when only small numbers, or sometimes no mourners at all, were allowed into crematoriums."
Determined that families still had the opportunity to say goodbye, the team organised funeral services in family gardens, carefully following social distancing rules.
"It took a huge amount of organisation, but everyone pulled together to make sure families could still have a meaningful farewell."
Breaking down misconceptions
Julie welcomes questions about funeral care and believes many people's worries come from simply not knowing what happens.
"One question I'm asked quite often is, 'Do you burn the coffin?' The answer is absolutely yes during cremation. That coffin belongs to your loved one."
She believes having honest conversations helps ease people's worries.
"The more we can explain the process, the less frightening it becomes."
Welcoming higher standards
Julie is a strong supporter of increased regulation within the funeral profession.
"It protects families, protects funeral directors and creates greater transparency about what people should expect."
She believes professional standards should apply across the industry.
"If businesses are doing things properly, regulation is nothing to be frightened of."
As proud members of the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD), maintaining high standards has always been at the heart of everything we do.
The qualities that matter
For anyone considering a career in funeral care, Julie believes technical skills can be taught.
The qualities that truly matter are empathy, compassion and organisation.
"There's so much that happens behind the scenes to make a funeral run smoothly. You only get one chance, so every detail matters."
Strong community roots
Julie and her husband have been active members of Lee Mount Baptist Church for many years, where Julie & Alan have both served as Deacons although health and family commitments mean she attends less often now, the church remains very close to her heart.
She loves Halifax for its close-knit community feel.
"It's home. Home is where your heart is."
At home, Julie also cares for Miley, her much-loved ten-year-old Bichon Frisé, who was welcomed into the family on Julie and her husband's 25th wedding anniversary. Miley was recently diagnosed with diabetes and now relies on two injections every day a responsibility Julie carries out with the same gentle care she naturally gives to everyone around her. 🐾
Julie truly embodies everything our profession should be kind, compassionate, organised and dedicated.
She quietly supports families through some of the most difficult days of their lives, always with warmth, patience and genuine care.
Julie, thank you for your unwavering commitment over the past 12 years. Your kindness, professionalism and dedication make an enormous difference to the families we are privileged to serve, and we are incredibly grateful to have you as part of our Halifax Chapel of Repose family. 🤍💚
