'I’ve buried millionaires and people who don’t have two pennies — none of that makes a difference in death'

Retiring gravedigger Stephen O’Connor has served as a huge comfort to grieving families over the course of his 19 years working at St Catherine’s Cemetery

Retired gravedigger Stephen O’Connor: 'If the cemetery has taught me anything it’s that in the end nobody is really better than anybody else. I’ve buried millionaires and people who don’t have two pennies to rub together, but none of that makes a difference in death.' Pictures: Chani Anderson

Gravedigger Stephen O’Connor’s voice breaks as he recalls a heartbreaking request from the father of a little boy who was scared of the dark.

“Can you do me a favour?” the man asked him. “Can you turn his nightlight on when it gets dark? He’s afraid of the dark.”