TV cameras go behind the scenes with Sheppey undertaker Luke Allum
Published: 12:00, 10 January 2018
Sheppey’s youngest funeral director is to be featured in a BBC documentary.
Luke Allum, 25, opened his own company in a former toy shop in Sheerness Broadway in September and is already making a name for himself in the business.
Last month TV producer Ben Munday spent several days on the Island filming Luke, including a funeral at the Garden of England Crematorium at Bobbing.
Luke said: "The half-hour documentary is called Youngertakers and features the youngest undertakers in Britain. Two aged 17 and 18 travelled from Nottingham for the show to spend time with me on Sheppey."
He has been involved in undertaking since leaving Minster College as a 15-year-old.
He said: "My dad got me my first job at a local undertaker’s cleaning cars. I have to say, working for an undertaker was the last thing I was thinking of. But it certainly made me grow up quickly.
"I worked hard and after three months was offered a full-time job and stayed for 10 years until I decided to branch out on my own. I felt I would always regret it if I didn’t try.”
After saving up, he went into business with his brother-in-law Matthew Locker. The pair exclusively used Island traders to renovate the shop.
Luke, who has spent all his life on Sheppey, said: "I met Ben by chance on a stag night. He went to Borden Grammar School with Matt.
"We got chatting and he said he wanted to feature me in a documentary but I didn’t think any more about it until he phoned to say he wanted to shoot scenes.”
That included a real funeral.
Luke said: "I mentioned it to the family and they were happy to help. It was done very sensitively."
The show will go live on BBC iPlayer on Monday, January 22.
Luke is planning a special viewing of it at The Playa pub on The Leas, Minster. If the show gets enough views it will be transmitted on BBC2 in March or April.
Luke said: "I’m doing my best to spread the word."
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John Nurden