The Funeral Home
March 17, 2008 wordsinpr
Today I had a rather strange thought. As I walked into a funeral home feeling extremely somber and out of sorts, I was greeted at the door by a staff member of the funeral home. Now this has happened many times before when I have walked into a funeral home, but today it struck me. Maybe it is because I am so focussed on my career right now, or maybe I just needed something to distract me from how I was really feeling. But, I looked at the woman, and I thought, you know you should probably go into Public Relations. I mean these people deal in a type of crisis mode everyday. They have to show a calm presence at all times and truly look the part of the professional. They also plan “events” and deal with upset people all of the time. Public Relations professionals could learn something from them. I mean no disrespect in what I am saying, but it just struck me as odd. Funeral home employees are a kind of Public Relations person. Just a thought. Have a good week everyone.
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1. abeginnersblog&hellip | March 18, 2008 at 1:59 am
I’ve never thought about it before, but you are absolutely right. I’ve never seen a frazzled funeral home employee. They are amazing people. I often wonder how one keeps their composure in a job such as that, but this world is full of all different types of people. And that’s what makes the world go ’round! I think I’m going to rephrase my response when people ask me how work was (I work in retail for those of you who don’t know) and I say “the store was dead”.
Lisa
2. Laura&hellip | March 18, 2008 at 2:19 am
I never thought of it like that, but you make a good point Erin. They have one of the toughest and most professional jobs I think, and do deal with really upset people on a daily basis.
I also think you have to be a certain type of person to work in that environment. You have to be very compassionate and be able to emotionally separate yourself from the pain and loss around you.
3. Rachel&hellip | March 18, 2008 at 3:00 am
That’s a really interesting way of looking at their job. It most certainly takes a specific type of person to be a funeral director, just as it takes a certain type of person to be in PR.
4. raymcilroy&hellip | March 21, 2008 at 6:15 pm
That is a great point Erin. I wonder how you decide to go into that field of work?
5. oneblackdaisy&hellip | March 22, 2008 at 2:11 am
You never cease to make me think, Erin. First off, I just want to say I am sorry that you had to go to a funeral in the first place. My thought are with you. Secondly, that observation you made is so true. Whenever we think we are overwhelmed, I guess we need to take a cue from a funeral home worker.
6. sliver lining&hellip | March 23, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Good point. It takes an emotional stong person to do what they do. I never thought of it the way you did, but I can see how there is so much PR in that field.
7. thealmostgraduate&hellip | March 23, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Hey Erin, My Dad owns a funeral home and I’ve helped out a lot there. It’s actually the reason I decided to go into Public Relations.