A Different Calling

Gary Crawford image in the New Creed booklet of the United Church of Canada

In life, in death, in life beyond death,
    God is with us.
We are not alone.

    Thanks be to God.

from the New Creed

I no longer have anything to do with funeral directors and other funeral home employees because I'm retired from congregational ministry and have chosen not to participate in the "hatch, match, and dispatch" aspects of being a pastor. Just the same, I had working relationships with many people in this industry through the years, and I worked with some of them for more than a decade. Over time they became more open and candid, sharing stories of families at war, three-ring circus "celebrations of life, and tragic circumstances including the death of children and suicide. Some deaths were gruesome, yet the funeral home staff was required to be professional and inscrutable to the public. I discovered along the way that some were people of faith which was no doubt a source of comfort and strength. I also had funeral directors in congregations.  

 I came across a Maclean's magazine article about the toll this work takes on these folk and it doesn't surprise me that some turn to alcohol for solace and that some deal with PTSD as do many First Responders. There are now support groups for funeral home employees, an opportunity to move past the professional stoicism to address the challenges and trauma. 

The funeral industry is just that, an industry, but I've had conversations with funeral directors who consider their work as a calling, and I know they were sincere. The article was a reminder that on the journey from life to death and to life beyond death those who provide this service are deserving of respect.

Thoughts?

https://www.macleans.ca/society/funeral-workers-are-finally-opening-up-about-the-jobs-emotional-toll/?utm_medium=organic&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1569615308