Why Am I A Funeral Director

Weeks ago, my Grade 12 son was at a career fair and asked one presenter about the Funeral Service program offered by the institute.  He said he got a blank look from the representative who said, “Oh. I’m not sure. We don’t get many inquiries about that one!”

As I was approached about preparing this funeral service column for paNOW.com, I took some time to think about it and here are some reasons I’m a Funeral Director.

Service – My grandfather was an electrician.  He told me once that he spent more Thanksgivings and Christmases fixing someone else’s oven so they could have their turkey dinner than he ever spent on his own turkey dinner.  Service is ingrained in me.  As a natural caregiver, I find it greatly satisfying to be able to be of service and assist in creating meaningful experiences for others.

Perspective – Funeral Directors get the rare opportunity to have a glimpse at the raw emotion death brings to those affected by it.  It can manifest as sorrow, anger, and hopelessness but through that emotion, we can also see a maintained sense of perspective and balance to life.  People actually do sometimes have a laugh during funeral arrangements!

Affirmation – My dad was a pharmacist.  When I opened the funeral home, he helped out a lot.  He told me once that no one ever gave him a hug and a warm thank you for filling their prescription.  Funeral Directors get praise and appreciation on a continuous basis.  Receiving that verbal affirmation of having made a difference in someone’s life is a big reason I continue to serve as a funeral director.

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Lack of the Trivial – Death is the great equalizer.  The biggest car, houses, cabins and material accumulation has become societal.  I remember standing at graveside with an estranged son at his father’s burial.  He said, “It’s over.  Everything we ever fought over doesn’t matter now.”  Funeral Directors know better than most that death brings a dose of honesty that can’t be faked.  I know that none of us are promised a tomorrow.

As I continue this column into the future, I hope to address questions people have asked over the years as well as give you a chance to part the veil of funeral service which has in part been cast by those of us in it, but as well as society’s reluctance to face it before it’s necessary.  It has been a career objective of mine to inform and educate about funeral service.  Not only for the public benefit, but it makes my job easier when you know something about it!

Cheers