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The Importance of Accurate Representation in Funeral Service
Read more: The Importance of Accurate Representation in Funeral ServiceIn funeral service, we live with the reality that our work is misunderstood. Misinformation circulates easily, and unfortunately, even our own national organization sometimes adds to the confusion. Recently, a member service representative sent out a message that included this laughable line: “Much like nurses, you’re often on call and navigating long days that rarely…
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Understanding Poor Information Choices in State Associations
Read more: Understanding Poor Information Choices in State AssociationsThis 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 Dangers of Information Overload: The Impact on Funeral Service
Read more: The Dangers of Information Overload: The Impact on Funeral ServiceFuneral service is a sacred and dignified profession, largely characterized by confidentiality due to its delicate nature. As with many fields, there exists a necessary behind-the-scenes component to our work. Nevertheless, there seems to be an increase in information being posted on social media accounts under the guise of “transparency”. Such posts are predominantly driven…
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Debunking Misleading Articles About Women in Funeral Service
Read more: Debunking Misleading Articles About Women in Funeral ServiceThe notion of “young girls breaking into funeral service” being a novelty is outdated. Currently, half of mortuary school graduates are female, rendering such stories irrelevant. We don’t find it surprising to encounter female professionals in other fields, so there’s no need to perpetuate such old-fashioned ideas when discussing funeral service.
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NYSFDA, Spare Us the TikTok eClips
Read more: NYSFDA, Spare Us the TikTok eClipsLately, the weekly eClips, sent by the NYSFDA, have contained more and more links to embarrassing articles by so-called viral sensations on TiKTok. The most recent article, about a mortuary student who “has lifted the lid” (this expression is gag-inducing) about repairing “injuries on deceased people” with clay (which is not used in actual practice)…
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A “Contemporary” Funeral Home
Read more: A “Contemporary” Funeral HomeWe’ve noticed, recently, several funeral homes billing themselves as “modern” or “contemporary.” They claim to have a new way of doing things; that they are bringing a new awareness to death and making it less sad. Really!? Light and airy reposing rooms will not change the abject sorrow felt by a family whose daughter has…
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Let’s Be Truthful
Read more: Let’s Be TruthfulAnother potential hurdle in the job market is the proposed change in New York State’s licensing regulations. The state is considering allowing non-licensed individuals to handle removals. We, as experienced professionals, view this as a significant mistake. Allowing unlicensed individuals to perform tasks that require a license undermines the professionalism of our industry. Moreover, it…
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RIP Dr. Jacquie Taylor
Read more: RIP Dr. Jacquie TaylorWe were saddened to learn about the recent passing of Dr. Jacquie Taylor. Funeral service lost an excellent champion in her. An educator, who was also licensed as a funeral director, Dr. Taylor truly “walked the walk and talked the talk” unlike so many others today. In 2013, I attended a continuing education seminar Dr.…
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Fake Funeral News
Read more: Fake Funeral NewsThe funeral as we know it is becoming a relic –just in time for a death boom blared the Washington Post headline. Whoever wrote this garbage must have scoured the depths of kook-dom. This article bears no resemblance to what funeral directors do on a daily basis. Perhaps if newspapers interviewed actual, experienced funeral directors…
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The Real Death Deniers
Read more: The Real Death DeniersPerhaps it’s a consequence of being on social media, but barely a day Perhaps it’s a consequence of being on social media, but barely a day passes that we don’t read some nonsense article, post or tweet about funeral service. Shooting ashes into space, turning cremains into bullets (Seriously, With all the gun violence these…