My introduction to working at a funeral home (and dispelling the cliché that it’s weird and creepy…)

I had an appointment with my dental hygienist back in April 2015 when she mentioned that she worked part-time at Reflections Funerals & Life Celebrations as well as Salazar Mortuary helping with funeral services. I have known her for quite a long time and was surprised that she never mentioned that before. She also told me, as I explained that I was looking for a new office/administrative position, that I should go in and speak to Gloria and Louis Salazar as they may need someone.

I actually had visited Reflections back in 2013 as part of a “field trip” for medical administrative classes I was taking at the time. I had never been to a funeral home before, and I was instantly impressed with the knowledge, compassion and commitment that I could see the Salazars’ had for their business. I was also surprised that we were able to have a “tour” of the embalming room. I remember I was very interested and had lots of questions, while my most of my (younger) classmates just wanted to leave. Louis was happy to answer all and any questions, and I thought they were gracious to do so when they could be at home having dinner!

This memory energized me to go in with my resume and explore the possibility of working there. I felt like something could work out down the road but I needed to work soon at the same time. A month or so later… I had just accepted another position when the Salazars’ offered me a job. I backed out of the other position, as something told me this would be a good fit (though I wasn’t completely sure why)…

The first couple months felt like “funeral home bootcamp” as everything was new to me: procedures, documents, protocol, etc. I was trained by a very knowledgeable, professional and supportive staff (and took exhaustive notes!) Five months later: I can do many duties unassisted, though I still have much to learn and experience. I am amazed at how much detail goes into planning such a big life event in such a short period of time. There is no room for error (I try to repeat Louis’ mantra each time: “We have one shot to get this right”). This notion can be stressful, but also keeps you striving to do your best for each and every family, as well as maintaining a high level of excellence.

I have realized that death is, of course, much more about the living: the family and friends who are trying to do their best to get through such a difficult time and the unique ways people choose to honor their Loved One. I have a clarity about the role of the funeral professional that I never would have had if I hadn’t worked here. I feel I work with a very sincere, heartfelt and committed group of people. So much work is done “behind the scenes”- a myriad of details that most families don’t have to think about- so they can concentrate on the life celebration of their Loved One.

People often don’t know how to respond when I tell them I work at a funeral home- I hear comments like “Really???”, “Wow- I could never do that”, “Do you see a lot of dead people?”, “Is it creepy there?”. Yes, I have seen more dead bodies than I imagined, and sometimes I am being “paged” for no explainable reason from the phone near our embalming room(!). I can’t say any of this feels weird or creepy though to me, just a set of new experiences that I am grateful for learning.

 There is an element of sadness for sure, but more than that, I recognize the opportunity I have each day to connect with a grieving person, allow them to share a memory of someone I never knew, or even just say a kind word to make their day a little better. Though I would have never expected my career path to lead me to a position in a funeral home, I really feel honored to be a small part of contributing to such a monumental life event.  

By Kari LeBlanc, Office Administrator

Cemetery Etiquette

I have been pondering this issue since Dear Abby presented it to her readers. Her response was appropriate and yet all the readers’ comments were well versed and most of them made sense depending on their argument.

When I visit old cemeteries, there is a sense of nostalgia and respect that definitely defines the graveyard. Even now, many can describe the feeling of driving or walking by a cemetery as a definite departure from the usual affect of a walk by a grassy park or a golf course. So should cemeteries be used as the public park settings they once where? Should animals and children be allowed to freely roam as they might at a public park? Should walkers or joggers be allowed to use this expanse of land?

I, for one, am definitely enjoying the uniqueness that comes will celebrating lives during a funeral. However, if there was ever a sense of respect due, it is the funeral that commands respectful behavior even though many times it can be lighthearted and joyful. Respect—yes, that is the word that must be in the forefront of peoples’ minds when contemplating additional uses for a cemetery.

Dear Abby’s response: “Cemetery etiquette is simple: Treat the graves as you would the graves of your parents, or as you would like your own to be treated. This includes no loud chatter, in case there are people in mourning there, not walking on the graves, not leaving chewing gum on the gravestones, keeping pets leashed (if they are brought there at all), and teaching children the difference between a cemetery and a playground.”