What Do You Expect From Your Funeral Director?

It is a reality that most people in their everyday lives do not think of their funeral director -- nor do they wish to. We commonly hear people say to us, "We hope we do not see you for a while." This light-hearted statement is clearly understood by us to mean they wish not to need our services anytime soon. The only time most people do think of us is when our services are needed.

One of the most important elements of a funeral is the basic client - funeral director relationship. Consumers rely upon a high degree of trust from their funeral director – more so than many other industries or any other business transaction. With emotions running as high as they often do, the level of trust must not be compromised with any portion of the funeral process. The success or failure of any business in any community is directly related to the quality of service and/or products it provides, which ultimately leads to the level of trust a business has within their own community. And this is most certainly true of funeral directors and all other businesses that deal with grieving families, including cemeteries. (Please note: Under Michigan law, funeral homes and cemeteries are two distinctly different entities that cannot coexist under the same ownership. These businesses operate under different sets of laws and standards.)

Considering these facts, the question posed above becomes vitally important to the consumer.

Across the United States, the typical community’s funeral director meets all minimum educational criteria for licensure in their state. In most states, this includes: Three to four years of schooling, one year of internship, and national and state Board examinations. However, "doing business like dad did" does not always apply in today’s society. Of course the same core values dad taught are a must. But with an ever-increasing need for information, rapid changes in industry standards through funeral preplanning, new legal and federal requirements just to name a few, your funeral director must keep pace with these changes or find themselves looking in from the outside. If he or she does not have the foresight, knowledge or ability to be educated in these important elements, your family may be shorted on service and the best care possible for your needs. Funeral directors often times find themselves in situations where they must work through a maze of nuances that each family brings into the mix. Today, it is all about the quality of education received from an accredited university or college, active participation in extended training through certified continuing education programs, and experience that provides the means by which they are able to successfully help families in these times of crisis.

This is why the funeral directors at our firm have dedicated their lives to their profession and challenge themselves on a daily basis and to take an active approach at the quality of service to their clients. We believe a funeral professional must be service-oriented and well rounded in many areas of business and life in general.

In order for any funeral director to be aware of their community’s needs, they must first look from within their community and give back to the community where they serve. Being an active participant, whether through volunteering at their church, school, service club or hospital, or leading the community through appointments or local office further prepares them for difficult challenges that are often part of the profession they have chosen. They must also actively participate in their professional association in the same manner to raise their level of professionalism and give back to the profession.

We understand that many people are hesitant to discuss the topic of death and funerals. This is human nature. Our Internet presence is not meant to be the "final word" of funeral service information. Instead, we feel privileged to provide consumers with yet another method of receiving this needed information.

Even though the majority of this site is intended for consumers in our local area of Saginaw, Michigan, it is highly likely consumers outside of our area will find the information equally beneficial. This site is particularly helpful for teachers and students searching for death, grief and funeral information to be used as a reference tool in class, in a report or for research. Whether you have joined us from across town or the other side of the world, please feel free to navigate through our entire site.

In our effort to give you an accurate account of our professional experience and expertise on matters of death, grief, funerals and its various customs and traditions, keep in mind that no two funerals are exactly the same. These differences stem from religion beliefs, community customs, family traditions and individual preferences. Since everyone’s needs are different, the information we offer here concerns general guidelines and circumstances.

Thank you for sharing your time with us. Please come back as often as you need.