May 15, 2015
As ASD’s Public Relation Specialist and blogger, I often write stories about different ways funeral professionals go above and beyond to help a family in need. Recently, I had a chance to experience firsthand just how considerate and intuitive directors are when responding to the needs of families. One of the things that truly struck me during this experience was seeing how funeral directors do so much more than what is required of them. They provide comfort to families beyond the call of duty in ways that can’t be measured or captured with words, try as I may.
This week, I attended a funeral at Spencer T. Videon Funeral Home in Drexel Hill, PA for my boyfriend’s aunt, a woman who exuded kindness and grace during every interaction I was blessed to have with her. At the funeral home, I was immediately moved by the stunning photo collages and canvasses that were created in memory of her incredible life. I learned later that the funeral director had many of these collages made as a special surprise to the family.
There were many children in attendance at the funeral. My boyfriend’s aunt had 19 great nieces and nephews, ranging in age from 1 to 15. During a private family viewing the night before, the director observed the children playing in the funeral home. At the wake service the next day, he had a large box filled with toys in a separate room for children. He brought the toys in from his own home, knowing that the kids would need a distraction during the two-hour viewing. This kind courtesy was never requested by the family, but the director was able to anticipate their needs in advance. It is caring gestures such as this that capture the heart of funeral service and the dedication of directors.
After the service, my boyfriend’s sister went out to her car and was strapping her daughter into her car seat. When she went to find a Sippy cup from her bag, her daughter knocked the car keys down from the seat next to her and they fell into a sewer grate in the parking lot. While this could have resulted in a great deal of stress for the family, the director thought of a solution before anyone could even say the word “locksmith.” He immediately sprang to action and fastened two coat hangers together so that he could fish out the keys. While there is certainly no way to plan for an accident like this, the director adapted quickly to the situation at hand and was able to immediately identify a solution.
I would like to commend the directors at the Spencer T. Videon Funeral Home for their thoughtful attention to detail and the careful consideration given to every element of the service. I believe that their commitment to going the extra mile is a reflection of the funeral profession as a whole. Directors extend themselves far beyond what could ever be defined in a job description. After seeing this dedication firsthand, I am reminded once again how fortunate I am to work for such caring and considerate 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
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