The pharmacist who became a death professional

A young mum has gone from pharmacist to funeral director, yet says she is the happiest she has ever been. Surrounded by the sadness of death, she wants people to start celebrating the lives of their loved ones who have just passed away.

Miran Sapiano is on a mission to encourage society to change its outlook on the end of life – she hopes more people will look at death as an opportunity to celebrate life.

The mother-of-two is nearing the end of her studies that will see her become a certified thanatologist, a scientific discipline that examines death from various perspectives, including physical, ethical, spiritual, medical, sociological and psychological.

The pharmacist-turned-funeral director believes she will be the first to hold such a qualification on the island.

While many may view her role as a miserable one, Sapiano says she has never been happier: her successful career as a pharmacist was no match for what she is doing now.

“I had an exceptionally good job. I was very well paid and had all the perks. But when I was made redundant during the last few months of my pregnancy, I decided it was time to finally take the plunge and focus on something that I believed could make...