INDUSTRY INSIGHT
FUNERAL SERVICES
SPONSORED CONTENT
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