Apr 24, 2023
These days, just about everyone is focused on ways to stay healthy. It has been proven, time and again, that good physical health leads to good mental health and improved immunity. Funeral directors come face to face with mortality every day and are often reminded how unhealthy habits can lead to a premature death. As a result, many funeral directors are deeply focused on maintaining their health and tracking fitness goals over time. This got us thinking about some of the different methods funeral directors use to stay in shape.
Here at ASD, we make health and fitness a central part of our workplace culture. All of our employees are given a free membership to a Planet Fitness gym and free, unlimited access to the Headspace meditation app. We also make workout equipment available to staff who work in-house and participate regularly in athletic competitions. Leading by example is so important -and that is why you will always find one of ASD’s Family-Member Owners taking part in these annual races and competitions.
Clockwise from the left: ASD Family-Member Owners, Kevin Czachor, Kathy Kelley and Marty Czachor Jr at the 2022 Spartan Race; work out equipment available to employees working in the office; photos shared by ASD staff of them enjoying their free gym memberships.
To spread positive encouragement to everyone in the profession who is focused on maintaining their physical health, we are launching a new series with helpful fitness tips for funeral professionals, by funeral professionals. From personal stories that will inspire you on your fitness journey to practical tips you can apply to your own regimen to ideas for encouraging your entire funeral home staff to stay healthy, these ideas will help keep you motivated through 2023. Most of the ideas we share will come from funeral directors like you, but we’re also pulling back the curtain at ASD to show you a few of our own secrets for staying healthy.
Got a health or fitness tip for us to share? Email Jessica Farren at jess@myasd.com to be included in our blog and social media series.
#1: Bring the Gym to the Office
Watch the video above to see ASD National Sales Manager, Craig Meehan, take on you a short tour of our office showing all of the different work out equipment we provide to our staff working in-house. While the majority of our staff works remotely and has access to a free gym membership, we still make equipment available for those employees who prefer to work in the office. We even have a combination treadmill workstation that allows you to take calls while walking on a treadmill.
ASD Health Tip #2: Invest in a HidrateSpark Water Bottle
“Throughout 2022, we bought our staff HidrateSpark water bottles,” shared Jennifer Martin of Martin Funeral Home in Mount Morris, MI. “These are smart bottles that track your fluid intake. You can choose to have friends on the HidrateSpark app who also have a water bottle. Staff can be friends with each other and encourage and compete with each other.”
ASD Health Tip #3: Hold Smart Watch Challenges
In the past, companies used to give employees Pedometers and have employees manually track their steps. Now, with the advent of wearable smart technology, it is even easier for teams to participate in walking or running challenges and celebrate each other’s progress.
Employees at Martin Funeral Home use their FitBits to keep encourage each other to keep active.
“Several of us have Fitbits, and we are friends with each other on the Fitbit app,” Martin shared. “Each week, we have a Workweek Hustle and a Weekend Warrior Challenge to stay active.”
ASD Health Tip #4: Experiment with Different Therapies to See What Works For You
Watch the video above to see ASD National Sales Manager, Craig Meehan, discuss what prompted him to adopt a new mindset in his approach to health and fitness. Craig also explores the benefits of cryotherapy and gives you a behind-the-scenes look at his experience in the cryo tank.
Our friends at Martin Funeral Home in Mt Morris, MI also recommend trying out different therapies that help soothe the body and mind: “In November, we took our full-time staff to our spa for a 6-hour day of pampering. Everyone was able to pick the services they wished to receive, from massages to aqua, light, and salt therapies,” shared Jennifer Martin.
ASD Health Tip #5: Participate in Charity Walks and Runs
This idea is one that many funeral homes across the country have already implemented. A great way to engage with the community while promoting healthful habits is to participate in local charity walks and runs that bring awareness to important causes.
Here at ASD, we have been proud to take part in the Autism Speaks Walk, the Philadelphia Starry Night 5k to Cure Childhood Brian Tumors, the Care to Carry On Run/Walk which benefits Camp Erin and the Providence Animal Shelter Bark in the Park event. We have taken inspiration from the many funeral homes who participate in similar events.
“We do the charity walks and things that most funeral homes participate in such as the American Breast Cancer, Alzheimer’s, and March of Dimes Walks,” shared Jennifer Martin of Martin Funeral Home in Mount Morris, MI. The staff at Martin Funeral Home is pictured in the collage above taking part in various charity events.
ASD Health Tip #6: Overcome Challenges with New Routines
Sometimes, injuries, medical issues and other unexpected circumstances may prevent you from engaging in your preferred sport or exercise. When this occurs, it is often as devastating as losing something you love because you are no longer able to do thing you enjoy most to keep fit and active. Finding an alternative routine that works for you is so important. Just ask Funeral Director, Jordan Mayfield, of Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home in Plymouth, IN. Jordan shifted from being an avid runner to a dedicated weight lifter after sustaining an injury during his time serving in the army.
“Before I became a funeral director I served in the Army and retired medically after some injuries sustained while serving in combat. I was a huge runner in the military but after getting neuropathy in both legs I wasn’t able to run anymore,” Jordan shared. “I wanted to find a way to relieve stress and stay in shape as working out obviously was huge in the military. I continue to lift weights which includes the kettlebell. Russian swings and throws which can work just about every muscle in the body. I lift free weights still, do push-ups with a perfect push-up bar and dips. I do this at least 3 days a week. Being on-call and funerals can be a challenge but I make it work.”
ASD Health Tip #7: Find Sports and Activities You Are Passionate About
One of the most important aspects to adopting a healthy fitness routine is finding activities and sports that you find enjoyable and fulfilling. For instance, you may find it difficult to spend more than 20 minutes on a stair climber looking at a wall, but taking part in a scenic hike to an outlook might help you to dig a little deeper. Figuring out ways to make exercise less of a drag and more of a fun activity can make a huge difference. Just ask Zack Young, Operations Manager at Detroit Cremation Society. When Zack isn’t assisting families, he enjoys spending time sparring in the boxing ring.
“Boxing has been a big part of my life for the entirety of my existence, it is a generational sport that started with my Great-Grandfather boxing in the Navy, was passed down to my father, and then to myself and my brother,” Zack shared. “Boxing has helped me maintain my health goals by giving me an entertaining source of exercise. It is easy to find comfort and enjoyment in relaxing activities but having a source of exercise that creates enjoyment has been my one trick of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.”
ASD Health Tip #8: Make Fitness A Part of Your Workplace Culture
Great things can happen when workplace teams support one another in their fitness goals. Our friends at David C Brown Funeral Home in Belleville, MI have adopted an awesome routine. The funeral home shared, “Our two directors, Shelly Brown-Chudzinski is an avid walker, and Jacqueline Dalzell is an avid runner, running many times in the morning before coming into work. Our Administrative Assistant, Tonya Dyer is very involved in cardio drumming. The ladies also practice eating small portions and high protein diets. Positivity is practiced in the workplace as well. We celebrate birthdays and support each other in life events. All great stress busters.”
The ASD Team out on a recent run
Our philosophy here at ASD is similar – we love finding opportunities to spend time together while practicing healthful habits. Supporting one another in our goals has really made a big difference! Here is a photo from a recent ASD group run we enjoyed. You can find many of our staff out running together just about every week here at ASD.
ASD Health Tip #9: Invite Your Animal Friends
Our canine companions can really be man’s best friends when it comes to maintaining our physical health. Owning a dog often requires regular physical activity such as walking, running or playing with the dog, which can help increase overall physical activity levels. Dog ownership is also linked to lower levels of obesity, lower blood pressure, reduced risk of heart disease, and decreased levels of stress hormones.
Our friends at David C Brown Funeral Home in Belleville, MI understand how much our canine friends can help keep us motivated. Check out Funeral Director and avid runner, Jacqueline Dalzell, with her black shepherd, and Funeral Director, Shelly Brown-Chudzinski, out on a walk in the snow with her dog Snickers.
Got a health or fitness tip for us to share? Email Jessica Farren at jess@myasd.com to be included in our blog and social media series.
Related Reading
6 Resources to Keep You From Breaking Down While Working as a Funeral Director
14 Funeral Directors With Olympic-Sized Athleticism
12 Awesomely Unique Job Perks and Activities at ASD
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
