With rising costs of funerals increasingly putting financial strain on families, experts are urging individuals to take proactive steps toward planning their end-of-life arrangements. Chris Gee, the funeral director at Bridgeport's Lester Gee Funeral Home, emphasizes the importance of purchasing life insurance to alleviate the financial burden associated with funeral expenses.
"It's important to be prepared and a simple life insurance policy will provide [security] – but it must be purchased two years in advance," Gee told News 12. With many families resorting to fundraising campaigns on platforms like GoFundMe for funeral costs, he encourages forward thinking, stating, "It's always best to be prepared and not depend on raising money after a person passes away."
Meanwhile, in Perry, Iowa, Katie Fitzsimmons, who recently joined the Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home and Crematory, spoke to the Perry Lions Club about the benefits of pre-planning funerals. "[Pre-planning] makes decision making easier for the surviving family members at the time of decease," she explained during their dinner meeting, highlighting the need for well-informed discussions surrounding end-of-life planning.
Fitzsimmons, who has spent about ten years in the funeral industry, transitioned to her current role after obtaining her mortuary science degree from DMACC, Iowa's only program of its kind. She shared details on how Caldwell Parrish is currently consolidifying its influence within the community by merging with other local funeral providers, ensuring comprehensive services remain available.
Transitioning to the personal stories of those entering the funeral profession, we meet John Redhead, who left his career as a PE teacher to retrain as an embalmer. At 46 years old, Redhead is embracing his new vocation with enthusiasm, citing his past teaching experience as beneficial for offering care and empathy to the deceased and their families. "The caring skills I learned from 22 years in education transferred well to the funeral industry," he told BBC Radio Derby, shedding light on the rewarding nature of his new role.
John Redhead's decision to enter this field was rooted both in his desire for career fulfillment and his eagerness to learn. He utilized a skills matrix to assess his transferable skills, and after attending job fairs, he found himself drawn to the growing need for compassionate professionals within mortuary services. Reflecting on the emotional demands of his new job, he stated, "It's a hard job emotionally, but so is teaching. It can be quite challenging but I absolutely love my job and I'm learning again which is nice; I love learning new things."
His confidence rests on the belief, backed by Matthew Lymn Rose, managing director of A.W. Lymn, who stated, "[We're] thrilled John has been able to make such a seamless transition [into the profession]." This sentiment reinforces the notion of support and camaraderie prevalent among many funeral industry professionals.
Lastly, addressing common misconceptions within the industry, Simon Savage, owner of Otter Valley Funerals, has taken to social media to debunk myths about the cremation process. Recently, he shared insights through TikTok, aiming to educate the public about what actually occurs within crematoriums.
"This is something I said I would do so people could see [how] cremation works," Savage explained. His video showcased the cremation chamber and clarified the technology used, countering popular misconceptions about the cremation process and reinforcing the importance of transparency within the funeral industry. "It’s as simple as it is," he said, inviting viewers to engage and learn more about end-of-life practices.
Through the voices of industry professionals, from directors encouraging pre-planning to individuals making significant career transitions, the funeral industry is demonstrating its adaptability and commitment to compassionate care during difficult times. By sharing experiences and straightforward information, these professionals are paving the way for more informed conversations surrounding death, grieving, and the processes of burial and cremation.