INDUSTRY INSIGHT
FUNERAL SERVICES
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Goodbyes and Processions
Goodbyes …
We would like to share with everyone a bit about us and our business. This year will mark the 10th year since we opened our location in North Allegheny; to be more specific, on Blazier Drive in the Town of McCandless. Our family is in our third generation and has been serving in the Pittsburgh community since 1921. We have worked hard to build this business and serve our friends and neighbors.
In the past few years we have noticed a continuing trend that society is devaluing the funeral process. It seems the value of someone’ s life is being minimized into simple phrases like“ Mom said she didn’ t want a funeral,” or“ They said to just go ahead and cremate them and do whatever you want with the ashes.” We believe this trend has developed into a norm, so seriously think about statements like that for a moment. Are people really meaning to say that their life meant nothing? That they don’ t want family to say goodbye, and their contributions had no impact on anyone? In our experiences, we don’ t believe that is the true meaning of what people are saying.
What we are hearing is: I don’ t want the same funeral we traditionally had in the past. With that in mind, I ask everyone to engage in a difficult task. Ask yourself how you would like to let your family say goodbye. A good place to start is at talkofalifetime. org. Do you really want your ashes stored in the family coat closet or china cabinet? I understand this process is difficult, but it is important.
As I mentioned above, for 95 years we have been helping families arrange ways to say goodbye. Over 95 years, society has changed and we have adapted to those changes. The funerals Walter J. Sperling, Sr. conducted were mostly based on traditions of ethnic heritage, making sure the customs of the Old World were followed. The“ melting pot” from Europe was large and Pittsburgh was a diverse region. As Walter J. Sperling, Jr. began in business, he adapted to changing needs from the 1950s to the present services Jarett Sperling provides today.
We still gladly abide by those traditional services for families who find meaning in them. We will also happily sit down and discuss different ideas and ways to say goodbye— ones that are fitting to the uniqueness of the person, not necessarily the traditions of the past. I always tell families that no question or idea is a dumb one; just ask.
Processions …
You’ re running out the door, late for an appointment or maybe to meet with a friend. As you come up to an intersection, a funeral procession pulls in front of you. You become annoyed. What happens next is your call. As funeral directors we have seen so many different reactions. The view from the lead car is very interesting. We see people rushing to beat us, drivers becoming belligerent and on occasion deciding to cut right into the procession. This situation is addressed in the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code 3107. In summary it states:
A driver in a funeral procession may proceed past a red signal indication or stop sign if the lead vehicle in the procession started through the intersection while the signal indicator was green or, in the case of a stop sign, the lead vehicle first came to a complete stop before proceeding through the intersection. It also states that the privilege is provided to all vehicles in the procession that have on headlights, emergency flashers and some type of flag or funeral insignia.
I have seen citations issued to drivers who have not abided by these laws. Taking a step away from the law, it is common sense and respectful to yield. So, in short, please be respectful and yield the right of way to a funeral procession. We may delay you a minute or two but that is really for the safety of everyone involved. Someday you could be in that procession and would ask for the same respect.
If you have questions about us or our services, please feel free to call or find us on Facebook. You can also learn more about our family and services by visiting: www. sperlingfuneral. com
Sperling Funeral Home, Inc.
700 Blazier Dr. • Wexford, PA 15090 Jarett D. Sperling, Supervisor 724.933.9200
North Allegheny | Spring 2017 | icmags. com 11