My name is Evan, and I am a funeral director at a busy funeral home in the Midwestern United States. I have found that many loved ones want to personalize the funeral experience, but they simply don't know how. I am going to outline some ways that you can make a funeral unique to the person you are celebrating. From dramatic readings to favorite music to decorated caskets, the only limit is your imagination when it comes to planning the perfect funeral. I hope your mind will be open to the possibilities the next time you are in the unfortunate situation of having to plan a funeral.
Add Unique Touches to a Funeral
Getting To Know The Funeral Director: What Customers Often Ask
Christina Clarke
You will likely do business with one at some point in your life, but most people don't know a lot about funeral directors. Here is some of what you may want to know.
Do funeral directors actually live at the funeral home?
It was once customary for the funeral director to live at the funeral home because they needed to be on-call and ready when someone's remains were brought in. However, it is less common for the director of a funeral home to actually reside at the place of business these days. Communication is much easier, so when the director is needed, it is relatively easy to get in touch with them to perform their services when needed.
What kind of education does a funeral director need?
Most funeral directors will have a degree in mortuary science, will be licensed to perform embalming, and may have to fulfill an apprenticeship program depending on the state. The majority of people who end up in the funeral business come from a family that was also in the business, but not always.
Is a funeral director the same thing as a mortician?
Technically, a funeral director and a mortician are not the same things, but the titles are often interchanged because the roles can be so intertwined. In general, the funeral director is like the primary owner of the funeral home; they offer the main services for the funeral, act as the officiant at the service if needed, and help source necessary supplies. The mortician is responsible for preparing the remains before a funeral. However, most funeral directors also act as morticians; it is actually rare to find one that does not.
Does the funeral home director help with preplanning?
It can depend on the size of the funeral home and how many people there are on staff. In some cases, the director will not be the person who helps clients with preplanning and other funeral arrangements, even though you may meet this professional at some point during the process. Because a funeral director can have so many different responsibilities at the place of business, there may be another person who meets with individuals to make plans and arrangements.
Why are these professionals on-call?
Funeral home directors are on call because they typically have to start making preparations as soon as someone passes away. These professionals are tasked with picking up the remains in some locations, and bodily remains must go immediately into either cold storage for safe-keeping or must be embalmed soon after they arrive.
For more information about funeral directors, contact a local funeral home like Danks-Hinski Funeral Home.
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