ALWAYS WEAR GLOVES

I went to a memorial service for my friend yesterday. He died a couple of weeks ago. He was a really cool guy. Certainly one of the coolest I have ever known. The "service" was perfect. It was in a bar/restaurant, people spoke that knew him well. People gathered, and cried, and laughed and were present for each other. Friends came from afar. Love was felt for those alive and for the memories of those who no longer are. My friend’s body was cremated a few weeks ago. Another funeral home took care of that responsibility. I am glad that I didn't have to. I also wish that I could have undertaken that for the family. It really didn't matter; the funeral home didn't matter very much. I am beginning to think that the funeral home in general, does not matter very much. I have a model in my head for the future of society and its relationship with "death-care". More and more it is less and less about what I do for most people on a daily basis. I am really getting ...

I am publishing this post because it was/is supposed to go into a major industry journal soon. If/when it does, my cover as A. Mortican will/could be blown. I don't care anymore. I am finding myself in a strange place over the last couple of weeks. I think I might post preceedingly to this fact if I can get my thoughts down in a succinct way. I am doubting that I can. Anyway. I apologize to you for yet again another rehashed version of what I always seem to be saying. This next spillage should shed some light as to my feelings about what a mortician should be, but at the same time, you've heard it from me before. I have been very fortunate. I learned my skills from some of the best mentors one could have. Some were very skilled in the embalming arts. Others were compassionate. A few, who taught me the most, were terrible funeral directors that explained to me every day, in their actions and deeds, who I did not ever want to become. I have had wonderful teachers, each of which...