Rupert Callender Interviewed by VICE: Rethinking Death and the Funeral Industry
In an interview with VICE, alternative undertaker Rupert Callender discusses his path into the funeral profession, his views on the modern funeral industry, and the philosophy that guides his work.
The feature explores how personal experiences of loss shaped Ru’s approach to funerals and why he believes participation, honesty and human connection should sit at the heart of how we say goodbye.
Key Themes from the Interview
A Personal Journey into Undertaking
The interview recounts how Ru’s early experiences of bereavement — including being excluded from key moments in family funerals — influenced his later decision to enter the profession. These experiences helped shape his belief that funerals should allow families to be closely involved, rather than feeling like distant observers.
Over time, his work has focused on creating ceremonies that are smaller in scale, more personal and centred on the needs of families.
A Critique of Modern Funeral Practices
A significant part of the discussion looks at changes within the funeral industry, particularly the growth of large corporate providers and highly standardised services. Ru suggests that when funerals become too procedural or impersonal, families can feel disconnected from the experience of saying goodbye.
His own practice, by contrast, aims to maintain continuity of care and a more personal relationship with the families he works with.
What Working with Death Teaches
During the interview, Ru reflects on some of the lessons he has learned through his work. He speaks about how death can be gentler than many people fear, while also acknowledging the profound emotional impact that bereavement has on those left behind.
He also discusses how grief can be difficult to anticipate, even when a death is expected, and how important it is to recognise the shock that often accompanies loss.
Including Families and Children
Another theme in the article is the importance of participation in funeral rituals, particularly for children. Ru describes how involving families in practical and symbolic acts — from carrying coffins to taking part in burial — can help create meaningful memories and support long-term understanding of loss.
He suggests that these experiences often help people process grief in a more grounded and lasting way.
Ritual, Community and Meaning
The interview also touches on Ru’s wider philosophy about funerals as communal acts. Rather than focusing solely on formal ceremony, he believes funerals can become powerful shared experiences that allow families and communities to support one another and reflect together.
This perspective is explored in greater depth in his memoir What Remains, which examines grief, ritual and the human side of undertaking.
Why This Matters
Conversations like this reflect a growing interest in more personal and participatory approaches to funerals. Many families today are looking for ways to create ceremonies that feel authentic and meaningful, rather than purely formal or prescribed.
By encouraging openness about death and emphasising the importance of involvement and community, Ru’s work contributes to a wider shift in how people think about funerals and remembrance.
Read the Original Article
You can read the full interview published by VICE here:
https://www.vice.com/en/article/anarchist-undertaker-ru-callender-interview/