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 my usual sources for information on potential articles for Funeral Director Daily and my usual business news that I normally use for my own personal edification.

One of the items I noticed in my business news was that the CFO of troubled publicly held company Bed, Bath, and Beyond had taken his own life on Friday.  A sad circumstance for sure. . . . but what it really did was put me back into my funeral professional days and I immediately thought about the funeral professional that will be working with the surviving family.

Over the years I had my share of funeral arrangements that came out of unforeseen and sad circumstances.  Lives of young people killed in automobile accidents, lives of young people taken with accidental drug overdoses, lives of young people who took their own lives.  And, it was always tough on me when I worked with families who lost a mother or father to natural causes when the children were young.

I never liked those types of arrangements. . . .matter of fact, every time I received a phone call that a family asked to meet with me because of one of those circumstances. . . I initially dreaded it.  However, over time I came to realize that I had enough confidence that I came to the conclusion, “If somebody is going to be helping that family, no one will do it better than I will.”  It was no special talent that I had. . I just knew that I would be responsive to the family’s needs, with compassion, in guiding them through the process.

Tom Anderson
Funeral Director Daily

So, when I read the article on the Bed, Bath, and Beyond executive it just made me think of all the professionals in our business who help families walk through some very dark times and do the best they can while doing so.  And, at the end of the day, when the funeral services are all over and the funeral professional goes home. . . there is no one cheering them for what they have done in putting the family on the right course to try to get back to “everyday” living.  However, there is that deep satisfaction within us that we have done all we can do and did it well.

I think that is the world we want to live in. . . . one in which we help each other out when we can.  And, I’ve never seen a funeral director back down from these difficult tasks. . . . it’s just a part of that “caretaker” in us. . . . I also don’t think the public sees this role in their funeral director so it seems like a thankless job.

My faith has developed over time. . . I didn’t always understand how our God uses us — and, it’s still a little murky to me.  However, I’m pretty certain that our God uses funeral directors in these situations as part of his humanity on earth.

You see. . . in God’s eyes we all have value and when we help those who need our help I believe that we are doing God’s work on this planet.  The work of a funeral director. . . as they serve humanity.

Related:  Rising rates of suicide, depression accelerated by pandemic among U.S. kids.  CBS News

More news from the world of Death Care:

• Tour the Vienna cemetery where some of the world’s most famous composers are buried.  National Public Radio News – NPR
• Klamath Falls funeral home offers eco-friendly aquamation.  Klamath Falls Herald and News (OR)
• Benjamin’s has agreed to overhaul its funeral business practices after warnings from Ontario’s industry regulator.  The Canadian Jewish News (Canada)
• How a decades-old law led to to death doulas’ lawsuit against California’s funeral bureau.  Walla Walla Union Bulletin (WA)
• Mt. Holly neighbors push back against plans for a funeral home and crematory.  Video story and print article.  WCNC – TV Charlotte (NC)

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