If you’d told 20-year-old me that I’d end up working in the cemetery industry, I would have laughed. But there is something quite special about helping people celebrate the life of a loved one. At the same time, we’ve been focusing on supporting our staff and giving them the tools so that they can not only provide for families but also protect themselves from vicarious trauma. If I go to a party and someone asks, “What do you do?” I get two reactions. Either people politely move away or they say, “Wow, that’s actually really interesting” and start asking loads of questions.
I was park supervisor at Wet’N’Wild water park while studying a Bachelor of Business Tourism Management at Griffith, so I was able to combine my experience with the theory. I once had a recruiter tell me she thought it must have been a cruisy job because everyone looks like they’re having fun. I was like: “That’s because I was doing my job.” It’s like the swan – everything on top looks fine but underneath it’s almost chaos.
What I liked about uni is that it’s not just teaching you what’s in a book, it’s getting you to think. I like understanding why something is happening, as opposed to just accepting it.
I was looking to get out of the corporate world. After the theme parks, I had a job in operations management in a pretty hostile corporate environment. A job came up with a very vague description which got me intrigued. I had the recruiter call me and she told me it was managing a cemetery.
That weekend, I went there and walked through it. I pushed aside thoughts of it being dark or morbid. I knew I could do it. And that started a whole new career. Now, I’m CEO of the Australasian Cemeteries & Crematoria Association.
Managing a cemetery is not that different from managing a theme park. It’s all about putting on an experience for the people that are there so that they can be in that moment and celebrate the life of a loved one. And it’s a pretty amazing industry. We’re not here to make our millions. We’re often just in the background, silently doing things, just because we care.
I always say a cemetery is a place for the living, not for the dead. We’re changing cemeteries from being cold, dark places that no one wants to go to, to being more park-like and a place for celebration. I want to create cemeteries that are urban green spaces and habitats for wildlife. I love being in a cemetery and seeing birds and kangaroos. I run through my local cemetery – I like being in them because they’re nice places to be. Being there can be a positive experience.
I’m one of those weird people who likes doing ultramarathons for fun. I wasn’t really a big team sports player as a kid.I did a lot of swimming and I used to sail with my dad, so I initially taught water sports at camps.
Now I’m heavily involved in trail running and I’m a pacer runner too, so I’ll run at a set time. Anyone who wants to have that time can run with me and I encourage them along. I don’t have a voice at the end of it because I’m cheering and talking to them the whole time – it’s really rewarding.
My dad passed away a few years ago and that’s had a big impact. It changed my approach to this industry. It helped shape me a bit, seeing it through the eyes of my customers or the families so I can understand things a little better. Even though I was so heavily involved in the industry, I was still challenged by the whole process when someone dies. It helped me make things better for families.
Want to read more about Griffith alumni making their mark on the world? Find out how a career started with a glass of water, and discover a journey to Griffith from the camps of Guinea.
Image captions (top to bottom):
- Ben in his current role as Chief Executive Officer, Australasian Cemeteries and Crematoria Association.
- Ben supporting as a pace runner in the Gold Coast Marathon 2023.
- Ben pictured with his wife, Louise, and parents Martin and Rosie.
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