Funeral director, 31, opens up over high-profile cremation mix-up; aims to uphold her granddad's industry legacy

A sour smell, almost like vinegar, grew stronger as I walked towards a morgue at a premises along a road in Sin Ming known as"death road". As I tried to identify the source by taking a deep breath, Ms Harmony Tee stopped me.The matter-of-fact statement was like whiplash: She seemed unfazed that on the other side of a metal door was a morgue where several embalmed bodies were waiting to be picked up.

"If you see meaning in what you do, no matter how you try to be immune to , you can't unless you really take this as 'just a job'," she said.I remind myself that my job here is to ease the family's burdens. But when I have time alone, that's when I release my emotions and sadness." Other funeral directors told her to give up on her career, and the media backlash grew. While she said she did all she could, enduring weeks of scrutiny and guilt was difficult. Ms Tee contemplated suicide as a"means to put an end to it all".

After graduating from university, Ms Tee became an auditor for EY and was posted to the United States. She also had to go through a year of training in the family business, learning how to embalm a body, handle grieving family members and set up a funeral, among other things. What also helps her cope with the stress and sadness is understanding from her friends and loved ones, especially her husband"Because our work is 24/7, most people marry within the industry or their loved ones join the industry," said Ms Tee."If not you won't see each other at all."

"Surprisingly, I didn't have any fear pop up. It just felt like a natural part of life, and I realised that this was a form of ministry and way to serve," he said. He proposed three months later, though Ms Tee accepted the proposal only a year later. The couple has a nearly two-year-old son named Josiah.

"People want someone who cares to help send off a loved one. And showing that you care is being available around the clock, and as quickly as possible," she explained.

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