Archangel of death
Business is booming for one funeral director who is looking to establish a crematorium
DEATH is a business beyond the tidying away of mortal remains; a whole sector grows and flourishes upon our demise. There’s the specialist care of the dying, the hospice movement, support groups for the bereaved even death studies on offer at some European hospitals. But, the one person we will always turn to when the grim reaper has paid his call – is the funeral director.
George Melas has a maturity that belies his age of 25 years, yet he runs one of the most professional and caring funeral homes on the island. When I say caring, it’s all to do with the due respect he shows to both the corpse and the bereaved. “I always look upon every body as totally worthy of gentleness and respect, that man or woman lying there is someone’s much loved mother, or father and as death is part of life, I expect to be treated in the same way when my time comes.”
As a young good looking single chap, how well does the news go down to potential girl friends that he literally spends his working week in the company of dead bodies? “There’s been many different kinds of reactions, some are curious to know more, others take it in their stride, some do find it to be a problem, obviously preferring that I worked in a bank, but if I am honest I love my job, it is one that has to be done, and done well. I have trained for several years in America to gain all my qualifications and I believe am one of the few undertakers who are so professionally qualified to carry out the needs of the dead”.
With around 1,500 funerals per year his company works seven days a week, with more and more business coming from the ex pat community. “Here at Archangel we work with the relatives of deceased ex pats and always we try to accommodate their special needs as far as every aspect of the rituals are concerned. We are also the company spearheading the building of a crematorium in Limassol to cater for those who do not wish to be buried. I firmly believe that this structure, which will work very much on established European lines, to be fully operational within the next four years.”
But what are the experiences that most depress him in his job? “Without doubt it has to be preparing a young child’s funeral, that’s a tragedy and we all feel it here, and no matter how many we undertake every one is heartbreaking.” Seeing what he sees every day, what else affects him? “The death of young men and women from horrendous road accidents, usually through senseless speeding and risk taking. Their bodies come here mangled and with limbs amputated, that’s the most sobering image for anyone who believes they can use a car as a joyriding vehicle. They just don’t know the horror that results from the abuse of the vehicle.”
George went on to say that to cope with everything in his daily life he has to have a great sense of balance. He firmly believes in God and finds that a great comfort. He also has to have other interests that are quite consuming, these include a good circle of solid friends, playing tennis, and listening to music.
As I leave he reminds me of a quote from Moliere: “You only die once, and it’s for such a long time”.
l Archangel Funeral Services. Tel 25 748181, email [email protected]
Seven questions
What car do you drive?
Maroon Rover convertible
Describe your perfect weekend
My mobile switched off, in good company beside the sea
Assuming you believed in reincarnation, who or what would you come back as?
A bird strong enough to fly around the world
What is your greatest fear?
Swimming in dark water
What is your earliest memory?
Fighting with my brother Paul over a bar of chocolate
What did you have for breakfast?
Coffee and a cigarette
What was the last item of clothing you bought?
A dark brown suit, tie and two shirts
