Uncategorized – The Morte Girls

When Newsletters Miss the Mark: A Funeral Director’s Perspective

Every week, our state association, the NYSFDA, sends out a newsletter intended to inform and support funeral directors. In theory, this should be a valuable resource—something that keeps us connected, updated, and empowered in our work. In practice, however, the content often feels misaligned with the realities of our profession. This week’s edition was no…
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Insights from a Life in Funeral Service: Five Lessons Learned Along the Way

With over four decades of experience as funeral directors, we have gained invaluable insights from the bereaved families we have had the honor to serve. These experiences have underscored the significance of funerals: the importance of attentive listening, the profound impact of rituals, and a deep respect for diverse mourning customs. We share these lessons…
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Misconceptions About Funeral Services: Cremation, Green Burials, and More in New York State

Some ads and a few funeral directors might lead you to think otherwise, but funeral directors do not specialize in any specific service. We handle everything—whether it’s burial, cremation, entombment, or green burial. Just this week, a colleague of ours got a call from a family who’d been referred to him. They were considering a…
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12 Things No One Tells You About Being a Funeral Director

Much to my surprise, an article I wrote for BuzzFeed has –so far– garnered 25.4K views in five days. You can read the article on their site (with their title change): I’m A Funeral Director And These Are The 12 Parts Of The Job I Can Honestly Say Nothing Prepares You For
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Another Well-Known Public Figure With No Public Funeral

When Barbara Walters died on December 30, 2022, at the age of 93, the world took notice. Although she had not had a public presence in some time, the death of the legendary broadcast journalist saddened people around the world. The decision to have no public funeral for Barbara Walters shortchanged so many who wanted…
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The Sad Reality: Human Composting is Now Legal in New York

It’s a sad day when legislation passes that allows for the composting of humans. It shows a lack of respect for values and traditions, and makes a mockery of the sanctity of life. This is not something that the average person wants. It’s just so much hype. We seriously doubt this will ever take off…
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Because That’s the Way We’ve Always Done It

Yesterday, I was chatting with a colleague I had not seen in some time. She comes from a long line of funeral directors, one of which was her grandmother, and was married to a popular funeral director for many years until his death. She’s a busy funeral director, and rarely uses social media. But she…
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Elaine & Jimmy: A Tale of Two Restaurateurs

During a recent conversation about iconic New York City restaurants, I mentioned Elaine’s. “Elaine’s? Never heard of it,” someone said. “Never heard of Elaine’s!?” I asked in surprise about the restaurant which had been featured prominently in the opening scene of Woody Allen’s film Manhattan. But maybe I should not have been so surprised. Soon after the death…
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What Happens To Cremated Remains Thereafter?

When a New York funeral home closed its door a few years ago, it found itself in the midst of a moral dilemma it had never bargained for. There, on its shelves, were more than 275 boxes of cremains never picked up by the families of the deceased. Some dated back 100 years. Legally, it…
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What You Need To Know When Considering a Home Funeral

In 1911, when newspaper publisher and journalist Joseph Pulitzer died, he was waked in the library of his Manhattan home. The room was filled with floral tributes and the furniture arranged for the assembly of mourners. Throughout the morning, family, friends, and employees came to pay their respects to the journalistic icon who reposed in…
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