A Deep Dive into Deathcare: Layla's Story

With exam result season in full flow, we’re continuing our series on the varied career paths taken by 
the PlotBox team.

Here, we speak with PlotBox Senior Implementation Consultant, Layla Murphy who's deathcare calling came as an undergraduate and who's career in the profession has gone from strength to strength ever since.

What did you want to be when you were 16?

I didn’t truly know my calling until I was in my undergraduate career studying Kinesiology with the intent to become an occupational therapist (one of 100 careers I ‘thought’ I’d like) when I got a part time job at a cemetery and funeral home in my college town. 

During my interview the team took me on a tour of the grounds and facility – including the prep room to ensure I didn’t lack composure.

I was fascinated by their work!

In my time there I did everything, end-to-end - from decedent transportation, to marker installation. It was an honor to offer care and support to my community in that capacity and it was there that I discovered my passion for deathcare.

When that season came to an end I knew, in a painfully broad sense, where I was going but had no idea how to get there.

Tell me about what you studied and when.

I am a ‘dabbler’ so it took me 8 years to get my 4 year degree, and I think I changed majors about 3 or 4 times.

I finished my Bachelor’s in Psychology with absolutely no idea of how I was going to use it.

‘Deathcare’ but to what end?

How did you get to where you are now?

I kept up my dabbling by continuing my education in Thanatology (the study of death and dying) – I got a Master’s Certificate on the topic, worked as a receptionist at another cemetery, gave lectures at universities, and finally found myself at a senior care tech company where it all started to come together.

When did you join PlotBox and what has your experience been like?

I joined PlotBox last February. There is no way you could have told me even during my graduate work that I’d be here, helping cemeteries to modernize their operations – taking away some of the pain in dealing with death for families and those that serve them.

It is meaningful work that I’m grateful to be a part of.

What would you say to your 16-year-old self?

In regard to my career, I’d tell 16-year-old me (or even current me on days I’m being kind to myself) that it is okay to not have it all figured out.

As long as you approach your ambitions with the intent of service to others, you will be fulfilled in the work you do – and if you’re lucky, you’ll find a path that you love.

Would you like to be part of our amazing team? Check out our open jobs here.