Dulani Zulu, a 42-year-old certified mortician and embalmer, has dedicated more than 20 years to his profession, yet he has never encountered a ghost.
“Honestly, it’s ironic how skeptical people are about our work as morticians,” he explained. “Some even ask if the spirits of the deceased haunt me. When I hear that, I simply shake my head and smile, because it’s just not true.”
Mr. Zulu has trained extensively in mortuary practices, initially enrolling at the University of Zambia (UNZA) and later studying mortuary management at the University Teaching Hospitals (UTH).
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Currently, he works for the Funeral Services Group (FSG). Throughout his career, he has worked on over 10,000 bodies. “Those accident victims I have seen were unlike anything I had ever dealt with—it was as if I was looking at minced meat,” he recounted.
Despite his extensive experience, Mr. Zulu faces unique challenges beyond the physical demands of his job.
He reveals that stigma related to his profession affects not only him but also his family. “One particular incident I will never forget was when my 10-year-old son came home crying from school after being bullied for what I do,” he shared. “That really hit me, but my family has learned to not let others’ opinions get to us.”
Mr. Zulu dismisses the notion of ghosts and speculations surrounding his work as absurd. “If I saw the ghost of every body I worked on, I would be surrounded by countless spirits,” he said with a chuckle. His commitment to his profession and resilience in the face of stigma highlight the strength of both him and his family.
