Apr 24, 2019
One of the chief purposes of ASD’s blog and social media is to highlight the compassion, dedication and reverence funeral directors exhibit day in and day out. Their stories are rarely told and few people fully understand how much funeral directors sacrifice to alleviate the suffering of others. They are truly one of the most unacknowledged and overlooked professions, yet one of society’s most valuable assets. Taking on the pain and sadness of another human being is not something most people are capable of doing. It takes a remarkable sort of person to willingly walk into the eye of a hurricane and withstand the battering waves of another person’s grief.
In the past, our blog has spotlighted the extraordinary qualities that make funeral directors unique and has detailed some little-known facts about the nature of their work. In this post, we wanted to share some moving passages we have come across that underline the crucial importance of those that work in the funeral service community. We’ve collected some moving quotes from writers, religious leaders, inspirational figures and philosophers that we feel exemplify the work of funeral directors. We hope this brings some inspiration to your day!
Here are 11 moving quotes that explain why funeral directors matter.
“Everyone wants to be the sun to lighten up someone’s life, but why not be the moon, to brighten in the darkest hour?”-Anonymous
“A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.”-Steve Maraboli
“Few are those who can see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts.”-Albert Einstein
“Compassion is the greatest form of love humans have to offer.”-Rachel Joy Scott
“There is no exercise better for the heart and soul than reaching out and lifting others up.”-Anonymous
“It is important not to allow ourselves to be put off by the magnitude of others’ suffering. The misery of millions is not a cause for pity. Rather, it is a cause for compassion.”-Dalai Lama
“There is no greater gift you can give or receive than to honor your calling. It’s why you were born. And how you become most truly alive.”-Oprah Winfrey
“Everyone is trying to accomplish something big, not realizing that life is made up of little things.”-Frank A. Clark
“Real empathy is sometimes not insisting that it will be okay, but acknowledging that it is not.”-Sheryl Sandberg
“Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more.”–Tony Robbins
“A person starts to live when he can live outside himself”–Albert Einstein
In recent years, there have been a lot of articles and blogs about whether or not families actually needa funeral director to hold their loved one’s service. It’s an interesting debate, but for us the question can be answered with a simple analogy. If you wanted to earn your college degree, you could take online classes and self-taught studies, but that doesn’t make the role of college professors any less important for the majority of people who would prefer to have a knowledgeable guide through their educational journey. The fact that another option exists that a small portion of the population is interested in does not in any way diminish or undermine the important role of professors. The same thing is true for people who want to defend themselves rather than hire a lawyer or fix their own car via trial and error rather than reach out to a mechanic.
Yes, there will always be DIY folks, but the majority of people would prefer to swim when there is a lifeguard on duty. Knowing that someone is there to help support you by coordinating details, answering questions, offering advice and providing references can provide a tremendous amount of relief for those wading through the fog of those early days of grief. The intangible value of this should not be dismissed or disparaged, for unless you have comforted a grieving child or provided a moment of clarity to a distraught widow or widower, you cannot comprehend the emotional fortitude required to be a funeral director. There will always be a need for those that are willing to dedicate themselves to others in this way.
Which quote on our list do you think best explains why funeral directors matter? Share in the comments below.
Related Reading
10 Distinct Qualities that Make Funeral Directors Extraordinary
30 Little-Known Facts About Funeral Directors
10 Things We Love About Funeral Professionals
About The Author
Jess Farren (Fowler)
Jess Farren (Fowler) is a Public Relations Specialist and Staff Writer who has been a part of the ASD team since 2003. Jess manages ASD’s company blog and has been published in several funeral trade magazines. She has written articles on a variety of subjects including communication, business planning, technology, marketing and funeral trends. You can contact Jess directly at Jess@myASD.com
