I am exhausted tonight. This comes not from a great deal of physical work for the funeral service, but from coordinating the funeral services: making certain the death certificate is filed, the burial permit printed, casket and vault and hearse are ordered, vital authorizations secured and much more. I write this humbly as I realize the huge amount of work Helen has done to coordinate and the funeral and provide all that is needed for each family.

 

We had a burial yesterday and another scheduled for Tuesday. This afternoon, we also received two more calls that will go through our funeral service. Helen is the point person for both of these funerals. She is known and respected in the Twin Cities African American communities and nearly everyone knows to call her when there is a death in the family. Helen treats each family as if they are the only one with whom she is working.

 

It is not uncommon for one of the deceased to have a family member who is incarcerated and who wants to pay their respects to the deceased. The prisons insist on there being no one present but the guards, the prisoner, and a funeral director. Many of these family members comment on the quality of the casket and/or the welcoming attitude of our staff. We are in no position to judge the reason for the incarceration, the closeness of the family member to the deceased, nor the "real" reason the inmate wants to pay respects to the deceased. Our commitment to respect and consideration is extended to family members no matter what their life situation might be.

 

"Blessed are the poor in spirit....blessed are those who mourn......blessed are the brokenhearted................" We honor our commitment to dignified care and to respect for all members of the deceased's family (and friends). Soon this individual will be laid to rest and we will begin preparing for the next funeral. Despite the rate of weekly funerals, each client/family receives the same unbiased, respect today, tomorrow and in weeks and months ahead.