Back when I was in mortuary school I read a book entitled something like “Who takes care of the Caretaker“. While there are other books with titles similar to that published later than the 1970’s I cannot locate the book I read, nor do I remember the author of it. Quite frankly, that’s not real important. I also don’t remember any of the content of the book and that’s not real important either. What I do remember is the name […]
If you have followed Funeral Director Daily for any length of time you know that I like to write articles about business. Sometimes I know that I get a little “heavy” on the business articles. However, I also try to put information on other subjects out there to keep a variety of topics at the forefront. Today is one of those days when I am reminded of the “humanity of the profession”. You see, on Tuesday morning, I checked into […]
As I research articles for Funeral Director Daily I come across lots of local newspaper articles dealing with anniversary years of funeral homes. The vast majority are from small town newspapers and tell of the longevity of many of these family owned firms. Last week I found this article from the Herald-Dispatch of Huntington, West Viriginia, entititled “Kenova funeral home celebrates 100 years of business”. There was nothing unusual about that type of headline but in reading the article one […]
My summer exercise program consists of running 2 1/2 miles on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and bike riding 5-6 miles, depending on the route on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. I’ve told the readers of this column before that my usual Saturday morning ride brings me from my house on the south side of of our little community to the north side where I cruise through our large city cemetery and turn for home. I’m at the cemetery at about 8 […]
It’s Friday. How about we take a couple of minutes to think about how death, dying, grief, and funerals deal with what is always termed as “Closure”. Are you aware of how often we use the term? What does it mean? Do our client families desire this? I bring up the subject because this past Monday was November 1 — “All Saints’ Day. In my Lutheran church we celebrate all who have died before us on the Sunday following All […]
I read this article from the Toronto Sun where Canadian funeral director Diane Moniz-Alves commented, “It has been quite traumatizing for families, not being able to have a proper funeral.” And, last Spring I attended as a member of our funeral home a “family only” committal service simply because I wanted to pay my respects to some of the children whom I had went to school with. Basically, I represented the entire community at the committal. . . . had […]
I was somewhat amused as I watched this television news report from ABC News 11 in North Carolina. The story is entitled, “For the first time there are more cremations than burials in North Carolina: What is behind the change?” I wasn’t amused due to the story line, what somewhat amused me is the anchor of the news station seeming very surprised by the news that this is happening. The anchor eventually asks the reporter something to the nature about […]
Sometimes it is difficult to take a public stand on an issue. You might feel strong one way or another, but you know that taking a public stance could possibly hinder the amount of business that you do. It is pretty evident in America right now that if you flew a Trump 2020 flag in your parking lot. . . you would show where you stand on the political side, but I would guess that it might cause some potential […]
For those of you readers who are not funeral directors, have you attended a funeral in the last six months? I haven’t. . . . and I cannot remember when the last time I attended a funeral was. Truth be told, since I have left full-time funeral directing and management, I have chosen to go to visitations much more than funerals anyway. I like the ability to just drop in – and out – as I wish and not sit […]
Louisiana funeral director George Charlet has summed up the cautions surrounding this year of COVID-19 deaths when he was faced with the idea of his mother going to a funeral. He commented on that idea by saying, “I just kind of wish people used more caution and took advantage of writing a condolence letter. It’s a weird place for me to be. It’s counterintuitive to my livelihood.” I think that is the paradox many of us in the funeral profession […]
