Jul 16, 2015
The origin of funeral directing in America began with artistry. Furniture builders, woodworkers and other craftsmen were called upon to build coffins for our nation’s fallen after the Civil War. As the death toll began to rise, skilled tradesman, who often worked under the title, “Furniture Maker and Undertaker,” were often needed to measure the deceased, prepare the body for viewing and assist with the burial. It was these artisans that laid the foundation for the funeral profession.
The artistic spirit of our nation’s first undertakers lives on in the creative pursuits of funeral directors today. The delicate art of embalming requires focus, excellent eye-hand coordination and an eye for detail, so it’s no surprise that many funeral professionals are creatively gifted. We were curious what other artistic skills and passions funeral directors possessed, so we reached out to our clients and asked them to share their creative talents with us. The response blew us away.
Each month, ASD will be featuring a different funeral director artist on our blog. This month, we are pleased to share photos from woodworker, Jason Novak, Director of Novak Funeral Home in Brownsville, PA. When Jason wanted to add a church truck surround to his funeral home, he found an image of one he liked online and then set out to create it himself using his woodworking skills. His design included storage areas on the inside for casket cranks.
Below are some photos Jason shared of the church truck surround being built.
The finished result.
“He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.”-St. Francis of Assissi.
Thank you to Jason for allowing us to to share his artistic talent on ASD’s blog.
Click here to see last month’s Funeral Director Artist spotlight.
Click here to learn how ASD’s solutions for funeral professionals can give you more time to pursue your creative passions.
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
