Cremation Services: Sit Back And Listen
Cremation, she and he was a friend of a friend. Born in New Jersey, she attended college and graduate school in Southern California. She moved with her husband to a small town in Alabama before moving north and settling in Philadelphia suburb. She is a teacher in a community college and her husband is a chemist. Our paths crossed a couple of summers ago at a backyard barbecue. As guests were shuffling from room to room I found myself alone on the patio with her. The normal pleasantries were exchanged. Yes it was a beautiful day, and yes I did purchase my shirt at a recent Jimmy Buffet concert. Then she asked me, “What do you do for a living?” As I was explaining to her what I did, I studied the expression on her face. As you all know, some people have an unusual reaction when you tell them that you are part of the funeral service profession. I remember Todd Van Beck once explained that the best way to prevent someone from talking to you on an airplane is to tell them you are a funeral director. Well, this friend of a friend was fascinated. She was asking me dozens of questions and looking at me with the same wide-eyed expression that was made popular this year by that “runaway bride” woman. She asked about the stories we wrote, “Six Feet Under,” the advertisers and she asked me about some of the news that was taking place. She had asked a question about the scandal at Tri-State Crematory in Noble, Ga. Somehow, she was looking for answers. I explained to her what I knew to be true about the story but I couldn’t come up with a motive because Ray Brent Marsh couldn’t come up with one himself. I told her he was probable going to explain it all in a book or a movie about his life story. After the burgers were grilled and the supply of hot dogs exhausted, all the invitees to this outing were sitting around the table chatting. Since I didn’t know many people there I sat quietly wondering when it would be a good time to fashion my escape. As I was sitting there, someone uttered the word “cremation” and my Pavlovian reaction jerked my head up and I was trying to make eye contact with the person who said it. Turned out it was my new friend. She was explaining to the group that she had planned on being cremated but after the Noble, Ga., story she was unsure and announced that she was considering earth burial. The next thing I knew I was involved in the conversation. Not only was I now involved, I became the center of it. In addition to answering concerns about burial vs cremation, I volunteered information about memorialization, personalization, preplanning, etc. Then I excused myself to secure another beverage. When I came back the conversation was in full throttle. Not only was my new friend, who was a very soft spoken woman, now leading the conversation, people who haven’t said I word all day were chiming in. Maybe it was the host, maybe it was the number of empty beer cans in the recycling bin, or maybe I had supplied some information that they needed but didn’t know where to ask, but the conversation rolled on at this back yard cookout for more than an hour. It was amazing to hear how much information these rather well educated consumers didn’t have. It was a bit alarming how much disinformation about the profession they believed. Education the public is more than a full-time job it is something that is necessary around the clock. SO now at all social events, after I finish explaining what I do for a living I just sit back and listen.
If you or a family member have any further questions or concerns with respect to cremation, cremation services, cremation costs or a direct cremation please feel free to contact Cremation Options toll free 24 hours daily at 1-877-989-9090.