Why did I choose to enter the funeral service industry? I wish that I could say the funeral
service profession was my career choice from an early age, but it wasn’t. It wasn’t until I
was thirty three, sitting at a desk all day and waiting tables at night, that I decided that I
wanted something better for myself and my children. I started back to school as a thirty
three year old, single mother of three, not knowing how things were going to go. I felt
like I was going into this profession with no knowledge of the industry, but as I started
learning more and more, I knew this would not just be a job but a calling for me. So, I
can honestly say I chose this industry to bring positive changes for me and my children,
but it turned out to be so much more than that. Once I graduated, I started working for
Emerald Hills Funeral Home in Kennedale, Texas. Meeting with families and working
funerals just confirmed that this was what I was supposed to be doing. It has changed
my outlook on life, made me a better person, and it has taught me so many things just
in the two short years since I graduated. Going back to school and working in this
industry is something that I wish I would of done years ago, but I think starting late has
shown me a new appreciation for this opportunity that I wouldn’t of had at a younger
age.
I was fortunate enough to get a full time position at the funeral home where I served my
apprenticeship. My boss, who is also my mentor, has such a passion for this industry
and the community. He continues to teach me new things with every family that we
serve. He encourages me to do things on my own, and he is always there to answer
any questions I have. I feel blessed to work for the company that I work for, and as a
mentee, I am taking full advantage of every opportunity I have to learn anything I can.
This relationship has helped me gain more confidence, patience, compassion, and
determination to always want to be better at my job.
The professional accomplishment that has given me the most satisfaction in the short
time that I have been in the industry would have to be a family that I worked with who
were saying goodbye to their eight year old autistic son. The mother and father were no
longer together, and the mood in the room was very uncomfortable. This was
unfortunately not my first child service, but I did my best to include everyone in the
decision making without making it awkward. The father’s parents were there, and they
thanked me many times for including them and their son in the arrangement decisions.
The mother was very standoffish in the beginning, but I continued to guide her through
the process. I surprised her with a blanket from woven remembrance that had pictures
of her little boy and her together. She told me later that it took her several weeks to get
out of bed, but while she was trying to gain her strength to get up and back to her life,
she keep that blanket on her bed with her for comfort. The grandfather comes in the
funeral home when they come to visit his grandson’s grave, and they are always so
thankful and happy. Being able to help that family get through that terrible time with the
family dynamic already being stressful made me feel so honored to be working in this
profession. Even though it will probably be one of the most difficult times in their lives, I
try to make sure they will look back on the service and be at peace with how we laid
their little boy to rest. There is nothing more rewarding for me then to be able to help
people. While each family that I help is completely different, my passion will always
remain strong for this industry and for the families that I serve.
I want to attend the Professional Women’s Conference for several reasons. I feel that
attending this conference will further my knowledge in the funeral profession. Every day
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is different in this profession, and I feel like I have something new to learn with each
different day. I have not attended any conferences before, so I am looking forward to
meeting other women that share the same career. I hope to make new friends and learn
from every woman that I meet. Hearing their personal experiences and opinions about
the profession is just another learning experience for me. I want to be the best funeral
director that I can be, and I truly believe that knowledge is power in any profession.
This career may not have started out as a childhood dream for me, but it has given me
a new perspective of myself, and I know I will be doing this job for the rest of my life.
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