INDUSTRY INSIGHT
O
FUNERAL SERVICES
SPONSORED CONTENT
Thankful for the helpers.
ne is too many tragedies for a society to endure. Most
tragedies we have no control over, although we wish we did
so they didn’t happen. Throughout all of the mass casualty
events, we always look for and rightfully thank the first
responders who have risked their lives to save others. From the police
officers and fire personnel to paramedics, their heroism and duty to
serve is unmatched. Even during the recent ice storms, I loved that we
acknowledged the hardworking line crews who worked continuously
to help get families’ electric services restored. These people who
stand on the front line of tragedy and perform their calling with
professionalism and valor are truly incredible. It really is not easy to
see and deal with tragic situations, physically and emotionally, and the
effects impact lives forever.
In today’s society I often see and
hear people
devaluing
the role
that funeral
directors play.
Some people
feel we take
advantage of
families during
a time of need.
What people
don’t realize
is that in the
midst of these
tragedies, or any
death, it is the
funeral directors,
coroners and medical examiners
who are working to begin the
first steps of healing—literally
taking someone’s loved one
into our care. Oftentimes
we are called to the same
scenes, but after the chaos has
subsided.
I thought of this the
other day. As images of
the wildfires in California had been reported on the news, a clip of a
coroner walking amid a burned house was shown. With many people
still missing, it will be teams of coroners, anthropologists and funeral
directors who help to identify and bring loved ones back to their
families. It is often an unthinkable job, recovering someone’s loved
one.
After the forensic and medical investigations are completed, the
funeral directors really take over the final role of helping families say
goodbye and coordinate all the details. We care for the deceased
as if they are members of our own family. We take the family under
our wings and make sure that the details, whether simple or large,
are taken care of and completed. Oftentimes we act as the shield for
families to keep media and onlookers away, quietly working
12- to 16-hour days until final disposition occurs.
There is so much that goes on behind the scenes at
funeral homes that the general public never sees. The hours
spent in preparing for services are countless, and in the end
the goal is for everything to run seamlessly. I have a saying
I tell every family that we work with: “Our job is to be the
shepherd and yours is to be the sheep. We will make sure
you are where you need to be. Your job is to simply mourn
and entrust yourself to our care.“
So we, personally, at Sperling Funeral Home would like
to thank all those who serve people and help in a time
of need. It is often a task that is not appreciated enough,
but when tragedy occurs, your training and instincts kick
in and help save and comfort others. Your actions truly
make a difference in people’s lives.
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
❘
WINTER 2018
27