Weighing the Benefits E


veryday, people make choices and


decisions. Whether it’s how much one is willing to spend on a vehicle or what color to paint the kitchen, there are pros and cons that can tip the scales one way or another.


In business, it is no different. I remember the first time I ever met our funeral director, Kirsten Turner. She was pregnant with her second child and was being considered as a back-up funeral director.


While she certainly had the experi- ence and educational background necessary for the position, there were “perceived” limitations that immedi- ately jumped out, such as little, mi- nor details like lifting deceased and handling toxic chemicals - just little risks and realities of the job under the most strict and optimal conditions and circumstances.


I’m guessin’ my thoughts at that point were similar to the thoughts of many families when Kirsten or I enter a home to make a removal of a deceased. Yes, it’s the 21st Century, but people are still shocked to see a woman in the business, despite the fact that as of 2010, more than 50 percent of mortuary science class- rooms were dominated by females.


As women, there certainly are “per- ceived” and sometimes actual limita- tions in the field, but no two people – male or female - should be painted with the same makeup brush.


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I will be the first to admit that I can- not lift as many pounds as some of my male counterparts. I just don’t have the upper body strength that even Kirsten possesses.


After five years in the business, though, I’ve learned that any aid in lifting – be it human or mechanical – should be embraced and not feared, if not for increasing safety reasons and/or reducing injury in the work- place, alone.


Just the same, for some it’s easy to slip into a pit of assumptions and overlook qualities that may be just as valuable or carry even more weight than the physical abilities and char- acteristics staring at you in the face. Kirsten, like any other female or male funeral director, car salesman, or oth- er professional, needs to be judged on individual merit and qualifications as a whole package. Just because a per- son can lift 150-pounds, does not a good funeral director make.


Compassion, care, professionalism, expertise, attention-to-detail, educa- tion and experience, all comprise the complete funeral professional pack- age and all need to be weighed.


If not, you may one day discover that the load you bare is heavier than what you tossed aside.


Roberta House-Forshee Funeral Divas Blogger


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