Meet the Team: Jess Crocker, Funeral Arranger at Fosters Perth
At Fosters, our team is at the heart of everything we do. We recently caught up with Jess, a Funeral Arranger at our Perth parlour, to talk about finding purpose, personalising services, and creating a safe space for families during their most difficult moments.
Finding Purpose in Unexpected Places
Jess’s journey to the funeral industry wasn’t a conventional one. Having worked in everything from early years education and art illustration to courthouse cleaning, Jess often felt lost—until coming across a job listing for a Funeral Arranger.
“There’s a certain irony in saying the funeral industry saved my life, but it did in the way that it gives me great purpose. I genuinely look forward to coming into the parlour each day. I feel whole being able to support those in their time of need.”
A Safe, Judgement-Free Space for Grief
For Jess, the most privileged part of the role is building relationships with families and offering a compassionate ear when they need it most.
• No “I’m Fine” Mask Needed: Grief is personal, vulnerable, and can be deeply isolating. Jess strives to make the parlour a space where individuals can grieve however they need to—whether through anger, tears, numbness, or laughter.
• Meeting Families Where They Are: Everyone processes loss on their own timeline. Whether that means holding space for a family who isn’t ready to say goodbye, or softly playing background sounds (like a soothing rainy forest audio) during a visit to recreate the comfort of home, Jess adapts entirely to each family’s needs.
Bringing Creativity and Personal Touches
With a background in art and design, Jess loves helping families bring meaningful, unique details to life through custom Funeral Stationery and small, intimate touches.
A Memorable Moment: “I recently worked with a family who was going to scatter their loved one’s ashes across Scandinavia under the Northern Lights. I designed a bespoke stationery set featuring starry skies, stock imagery of the Aurora, and a photo the deceased had taken of the Aurora in their own back garden. Knowing I could create something so meaningful for them was incredibly special.”
From sitting together in the parlour wrapping bouquets of roses in ribbon to carefully tailoring Order of Service booklets, Jess ensures every service feels genuinely unique to the person being remembered.
Beyond the Parlour
Having moved from Southeast England to Perth nearly four years ago, Jess has fallen in love with the warm, welcoming community and the Scottish outdoors.
When off the clock, you’ll likely find Jess:
• Exploring: Capturing nature through photography on long woodland walks around Perthshire.
• At Home: Caring for two very spoiled gerbils (and preparing for a pair of bunnies!).
• Enjoying music: Hopping on a train to Glasgow for heavy metal gigs.
A Warm Welcome Awaits
Whether you need a listening ear, guidance through a difficult time, or help planning a personalised tribute, Jess and the team at Fosters Perth are always here to support you with warmth, empathy, and care.
