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A Forfar teen has reflected on becoming one of the youngest funeral directors in the UK.

Charlie Gowans left a job in the food production industry to work at Co-op Funeralcare’s Alexander Bain branch in Forfar at the age of 18 in 2024.

The 19-year-old is now a funeral director at the William Black branch in Brechin.

He began his career as as funeral services co-ordinator (FSC), working with colleagues to assist families with arrangements for upcoming services.

Charlie said: “Funeral care was something I’d never have thought about before and when I saw the job advertised, I thought, ‘why not?’

“Naturally, I was a little nervous when I got the role as a funeral services co-ordinator, but I decided to give it a go.

“The team I worked with were brilliant and helped ease my nerves immediately.”

Charlie soon realised he wanted to become a funeral director and applied for the position at William Black.

He said: I had been working at the company for only nine months.

“My main thought when applying for the position was that they’d think I was too young.

“Al I was hoping was to get through to the interview stage and gain interview experience.

“I was so excited when my manager told me I was successful, and I am vert grateful for the trust Co-op Funeralcare has placed in me.”

In his role, Charlie hopes to challenge the stigma around bereavement and death.

The teenager openly discusses his career with friends and family.

He also wants to inspire others to view funeral care as a rewarding job.

Charlie added: “My family have been very supportive.

“Most of them say they’d never be able to do this job.

“But I would have said the exact same thing if I’d never applied for the FSC job last year.

“I find it funny when I meet new people and tell them what I do because they never believe me.

“Death is the one thing that is guaranteed for everybody, so I think it should be spoken about more.

“Ultimately, caring for bereaved families and their loved ones is our priority.”

This article appeared in The Courier on 19 December 2025