Ferdinand Leslie Madden Sr, the man whose name has become synonymous with burials in Jamaica, was yesterday celebrated in death by fellow morticians, who formed a guard of honour as his dark brown mahogany casket exited the Holy Trinity Cathedral on North Street in Kingston to take his body to its resting place at Dovecot Memorial Park in St Catherine.

“He is the ultimate professional and he has made the profession into what it is today,” Winston Roman, director of Roman’s Funeral Home, told the Observer after the service.

Madden, widely regarded as the father of the modern funeral business in Jamaica, had been ailing for 10 years and died at his St Andrew home last Tuesday. He was 81 years old.

In a lively thanksgiving ceremony, tributes were given by Opposition Leader Bruce Golding, Owen Johnson, a worker at Madden’s Funeral Home, Courtney Currie of the St George’s College Old Boys Association, and members of the Mechanics Lodge of which Madden was a long-standing member.

Madden’s niece Marjorie Kay Browne, and grandson Rafig Williams paid tribute in song and on the violin respectively, Williams continuing a legacy started by his grandfather, who also played the violin.

Madden was a member of the Jamaica Philharmonic Orchestra and founded the Madden’s Philharmonic Orchestra.

Golding, in tracking Madden’s career, hailed him as an “exceptional citizen”, while Currie, in a riveting tribute, said that Madden sidestepped urgings to study medicine and instead joined his father in the mortuary business just after leaving St George’s College in 1949.

He subsequently studied embalming in New York, ending up valedictorian of his class and returned to Jamaica and the fledgeling family business.

Noting that Madden brought a different approach to the profession, Currie said “His love extended to the bereaved families that he had to deal with and that set him apart.”

Madden is credited with transforming the local undertaking profession and, at the same time, taking the family business from a single office on North Street in Kingston to the operation of branches across the island and ownership of the Dovecot Memorial Park.

“As the business expanded, so did his family,” added Currie.

Madden, who is survived by his wife, Inez, nee Smith, fathered 10 children – Ruel, Ferdinand Jr, Francis, Fabian, Paul, Patricia, Angela, Marcia, Christine, and Jacqueline.

The Rev Charles Dufour, bishop of Montego Bay, was one of five celebrants at the well-attended thanksgiving mass which commemorated a life well spent.

Bishop Dufour brought humour to the mass by recalling the familiar line: ‘When your life on earth has ended, Madden’s must be recommended.’

“You have served your family well, your profession well, your lodge well, your country well, and you are now in the arms of the Lord,” said Dufour.