Melton teenager Harrison, 16, dead set on being a funeral directors
Most teenage boys dream of becoming a rock star or a footballer.
Not 16-year-old Harrison Mousley. He has a more solemn goal – to be one of Britain's youngest undertakers.
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The youngster, who has just left Melton's John Ferneley Academy, is learning the ropes under dad Shane's tutelage.
He has already learned some of the back-room side of the business and is now waiting to help conduct his first service.
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Harrison, of Abingdon Road, Melton, said: "I'm really looking forward to it. Dad spoke to me about his work and I was very interested in it.
"I don't look on it as just dealing with people who have died, it's more about dealing with people in their time of need.
"I've had some hands-on experience, which I enjoyed. I was a bit nervous at the start, but when I got into it, it was fine.
"My mates think it's great. No one has been negative. People who don't know me think it's good to be going into the business at such a young age.
"I don't think any aspect of the job will faze me – it's the caring side that appeals to me."
Shane, 38, who has 20 years' experience in the business and recently formed his own firm, said: "I've always wanted to set up a family business as funeral director after my time spent working in it.
"Harrison has taken to it very well so far and he has an extremely nice temperament, which is needed for this type of business."
Shane, who has also been a part-time firefighter in the town for 12 years, said: "I had always planned to do it, but it was a case of getting round to it.
"With Harrison leaving school and, after watching the market, I decided now was the right time.
"Harrison gained hands-on experience with another independent funeral director. He decided he liked it and it took off from there.
"He's a caring kind of a lad and has helped me out with charity work for the fire service and for a local children's charity.
"He was a little bit apprehensive to begin with.
"But we know it's the right business for him based on his temperament."
Although the business is called Shane Mousley and Son Funeral Directors, daughter Jennifer, 20, will also be working for it on a part-time basis at its Cranmere Road premises.
Shane said: "They are both undergoing full training in the business to become funeral directors."
Dominic Maguire, of the National Association of Funeral Directors, said: "Harrison is certainly one of the youngest in the business.
"There are quite a few school-leavers going straight into jobs in the funeral service. It's nowhere near as uncommon as it was 15 or 20 years ago.
"A lot are attracted to it because more than ever the job has a career structure."
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