Death in My House

People often ask if it was creepy growing up in a funeral home.  No it wasn't. I was just like any other goofy kid, I technically grew up next door to the funeral home in the house that used to be Pray Funeral Home from 1923 until 1950 when the current Pray Funeral Home building was completed on the lot next door.

My friends and cousins would often ask if we could sneak downstairs to see the caskets.  Sometimes we would, but usually one of my cousins would turn off the lights and the girls would scream.  As they went tearing back up the stairs to safety, Dad or Grandma would be standing at the doorway, and I usually got paddled.  But I would still venture down there again with the gang the next time they came over. After all nobody else had such a cool room to a bunch of curious kids.  To this day, the only people that want to go into the selection rooms are casket salesmen and the curious little kids.  

 The next question that many utter when I tell them I'm a funeral director is "Isn't that depressing?"  No it  isn't.  I focus on  the ability of my family and staff to help a family through the worst time of their life.

Yes we do feel great sadness about the tragic deaths, any caring person will, but we also see our role as one of support person to help these folks.  We know that with help, the grieving  family members will be able to work through their grief to rebuild their lives.  We know that the service we provide helps the family draw valuable support from the community.

The thanks we often receive when we have completed the services support our own emotions.  It makes it much easier to go to the aid of the next family who calls in the middle of the night because some tragedy has taken a member of their family. 

And yes every death is a tragedy.  Even the ageing grandparent that has succumbed to a lengthy illness.  That is a tragedy to their innocent young grandchildren.  The magnitude of the tragedy varies  for each family and their circumstances.

So what is life like for a small town funeral director? 

Hectic.

Some weeks are a constant blur of motion from early morning to early morning the next day.  Last week was like that.  Summer vacations and travelling requirements of family and staff (in our case staff is often family) had created a shortage of full time staff.  This meant that we filled in with our great part time staff members.  However, being part time they aren't as fast at some of the tasks, which in a regular week is okay.  When we have to shift into overdrive during an extremely busy week, it takes a few more hours to keep up with the required tasks.  The days started early, usually around 6:30 or 7:00 am, and often ended for me around 12:30 or 1:00 am the next day.  I really don't mind because I know it will slow down again. "I can sleep when I'm old" is what Joe Sr. often says.

This Monday morning started way to early.

Have a comment on my article?  To boring?  Did you actually read this far? Have a question?  email me at jpray@prayfuneral.com.

Tuesday was more normal, for a funeral home.

Wednesday , Oh boy and it is only the middle of the week!

Thursday, what a strange day even for funeral service.

Friday, everybody else in the working world looks forward to TGIF, but if it is your weekend on call Friday is just another day.

Saturday Trying to balance a service, visitation and attending an open house for the neighbors graduation.

Sunday, similar to all the other days except we go to church before we go to work.