'I'm not scared of the deceased, I'm scared of the living!' - funeral director

702's Clement Manyathela hosts funeral directors Elsabe Basilio, Mike Collinge and Nhlanhla Bembe.

Listen below:

In South Africa, funerals are deeply rooted in cultural tradition and community values.

They serve not only as a farewell to the deceased, but also as a vital expression of identity, respect, and collective mourning.

Behind the scenes, there are professionals who dedicate their lives to ensuring that our loved ones are treated with dignity in their final journey, and that families are supported during some of their most painful moments. 

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But what drives someone to choose a career so intimately tied to death?

For Elsabe Basilio, you could say she was born to do it.

"I was born on the premises of a funeral home, my dad was a funeral director."

- Elsabe Basilio, National Funeral Association of South Africa

She says death was normalised from a very young age.

"I grew up in the industry... we used to see bodies being brought in."

- Elsabe Basilio, National Funeral Association of South Africa

Basilio says the reward lies in knowing she’s helped create a meaningful farewell that honours the deceased and brings comfort to their loved ones.

"The families, when they come back and say, that's exactly what we wanted... everything was perfect."

- Elsabe Basilio, National Funeral Association of South Africa

Nhlanhla Bembe is the founder Rainy Days Funeral Parlour.

He also came into the industry at a young age, through a friend's father who owned a funeral parlour.

"I knew from then I wanted to be an undertaker, my friend's father was a very successful business person so I wanted to be like him... he was my role model."

- Nhlanhla Bembe, Founder - Rainy Days Funeral Parlour

Bembe says he understands that some people may find his choice of job strange, given how many of us feel about death and dead bodies.

However, he adds that for him, the deceased are nothing to be afraid of...

"I'm actually not scared of the deceased, I'm scared of the living!"

- Nhlanhla Bembe, Founder - Rainy Days Funeral Parlour

Scroll up to listen to the full conversation.