The Morte Girls

Author: themortegirls

Demystifying Death

In recent years, there’s been a troubling trend where some new –and some not so new– to funeral service industry seem to be turning the somber responsibilities of their profession into a spectacle for entertainment and social media clicks. It’s baffling to see how the serious nature of death and mourning can be reduced to…
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Memorable Gala Dinner Celebrates Richard J. Moylan’s Legacy

The gala dinner we attended at Green-Wood Cemetery on Wednesday night was a truly memorable event that celebrated the exceptional tenure of outgoing president Richard J. Moylan. As attendees arrived at 6:00 P.M. for the opening cocktail hour, they greeted one another amidst the beautiful surroundings. The atmosphere was alive with a sense of both…
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How Funeral Service Helped Shape a Writer’s Voice

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Tony Russo, the esteemed editor of Kates-Boylston’s Funeral Service Insider, about blending my career as a funeral director with my passion for writing. During our conversation, we explored how the unique experiences I encounter in funeral service provide so much insightful material for storytelling, offering a deeper…
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Understanding Green Burials: Myths and Real Costs

Colleagues of ours, with years of experience in the funeral industry, were recently approached for their first green burial request. When they received the inquiry, the first question posed was somewhat surprising – Can you handle such a request? The assumption here was that a green burial might be outside the realm of traditional funeral…
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Repackaging Funeral Traditions with Trendy Alternatives

These days, traditional media and social media are filled with accounts of funeral trends, one more outlandish than the next. You can turn your loved one’s cremated remains into a diamond ring or a painting, shoot them into space, or incorporate a portion of the cremains into ink for a tattoo. Instead of a burial,…
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Exploring Friendship and Careers: An Interview with StoryCorps

Our interview with StoryCorps launched today and is also being aired on NPR. It was truly enjoyable to share stories, reminisce about our careers, and discuss our friendship with listeners. These moments of reflection not only highlight our personal journeys but also underscore the importance of the connection we’ve built over the years. During the…
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Heartwarming Farewell: Horse and Carriage Funeral

I recently served a family at my funeral home, Jurek-Park Slope, who rented a horse and carriage for their mother’s funeral. It was the first time in all my years in business that one of my families requested this special touch. The woman’s daughter told me that her mom had always wanted this unique tribute,…
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Understanding Poor Information Choices in State Associations

This week, an Ohio funeral director made the news for all the wrong reasons. He plans to obtain a liquor license so that he may serve mourners in the funeral home. He said he wants to be able to “provide guests with a livelier vibe if that’s the way they want to celebrate their loved…
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The Spritz Cookie Recipe

The pink granite monument of Naomi Miller-Dawson in Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery is topped by what appears to be an open cookbook. There, etched across two stone pages, is her prized recipe for Spritz cookies, preserved for future generations.
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Dressing as a Female Funeral Director: Finding Style

Images of colorful outfits, vibrant patterns, and trendy accessories come to mind when most people think of fashion. However, fashion tells a different story for those of us in funeral service. The attire of a female funeral director often revolves around black suits and white blouses, embodying both professionalism and respect for the families we…
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