00:05There is a specific kind of stillness in a graveyard at the break of dawn.
00:17For Bega Valley's contracted gravediggers, Robert Jennings and Andy Stokes,
00:21this is when the most important work begins.
00:30Regardless of the weather conditions, the pair will be at the cemetery in the morning of the funeral preparing the
00:35space.
00:46It's a game of precision, measuring the earth to the millimetre, whether it be the height, width or the correct
00:53depth.
01:00Every grave is different. To them, you aren't just digging a hole, you're preparing someone's final resting place.
01:22All the soil removed during the digging process will be reused when the funeral is finished.
01:42The depth of the grave is approximately 120 to 150 centimetres.
01:47This abides with New South Wales health regulations that state that there has to be 90 centimetres above the lid
01:56of the coffin.
02:07There's a quiet privilege in the career, making it neat and right so that when the family and friends arrive,
02:13they have a peaceful place to say their last goodbye.
02:35As the hearse arrived for the service, the gravediggers faded into the background. Their work is done.
02:41The stage is set for the family to begin their journey of farewell.
02:46The stage is set for theators.
02:46The stage is set for the family to come to the school of the Martin Luther King.
02:47At the age of 17, it's set for the individual to come to the family.
02:49The stage is set for over 40 years.
02:50And this is the other way.
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