THE expectations people have about funerals are changing and one Ryedale independent funeral director is helping to spread that message.

Chris Dudzinska, of Last Wishes Funerals, in Slingsby, is hoping to banish the taboos surrounding death and help people create personal funerals at the lowest possible cost.

Chris, who became a funeral director after a chance conversation with a friend, takes an informal approach in her job, wearing smart everyday clothes rather than a dark suit.

Chris aims to find out as much as possible about the person in order to create a special funeral which really says something about them.

She said: “I take the time to get to know that individual.

“We are all different and we should all have something that says something personal about us.

“People can get as involved as they want and for some people that helps and it can help with the grieving process.”

The business aims to keep costs to an absolute minimum as well by hiring in outside suppliers allowing Chris to shop around for a price to suit them.

Chris is also working to help raise awareness of the options people have, including green funerals and eco burials.