Page A4 MAY 2023 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS Section A By Nancy Weil I love my daughter’s dog, Lexi. My dog, Benny, loves her dog even more. They are best friends and love to play together. This is not a common occurrence as my daughter and her dog live in Georgia and I am in Florida. However, I recently had the pleasure of dog sitting for my “granddog” while she spent time with her best friend. It was fun. It was…well, to be honest, it was a lot of work. Our routine was upended as my hubby and I now had three dogs to walk instead of our usual two, Benny and Simone. Our bed was filled with fur and wrestling dogs and 4AM nudges to go out. Meals were spread across two rooms to keep all of the dogs apart and toys were placed up high to keep them from being destroyed. While I love her dog and my dog loves her dog and we truly did not mind taking care of her, the “bonus dog” equated to expending more effort and making many adjustments to her schedule. All of this led me to pondering what you are going through. I speak with many funeral directors in my role with OGR and many are short-staffed and busier than ever. They are stressed, tired and have no time for a “bonus dog” situation. We have all experienced these moments, whether you work at a funeral home, cemetery or on the supply side of funeral service. The unexpected family walking in the door, the phone call that requires immediate attention and pulls you away from your plans, or a staff member calling in sick leading to a quick rescheduling to ensure coverage for that day’s funerals and interments. Random Musings Serving as Member Resources Director at the International Order of the Golden Rule, Nancy Weil brings her years of experience working in the funeral industry to funeral directors across the globe. Her professional experience includes serving as Director of Grief Support and Community Outreach at Veterans Funeral Care in Clearwater, FL and at eleven cemeteries in Western New York. Nancy travels throughout the country offering presentations on how to reduce stress, combat compassion fatigue and offer support for those who are grieving through her company, The Laugh Academy. With certifications as a Grief Services Provider and Grief Management Specialist, Funeral Celebrant, Soul Injury Ambassador and Laughter Leader, Nancy is uniquely qualified to bring new perspectives into how to best meet the needs of the families you serve. For more information on how Nancy can help you and your company grow, visit her website: www.TheLaughAcademy.com or email Nancy@ TheLaughAcademy.com. FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS www.NomisPublications.com Monthly Columnsonline at tasks and fill other roles and, yes, find time to spend with your family, friends and yourself. So, what can you do? Practice flexibility, not as in yoga (although yoga is great), but as in flow with how the day plays out. Re-schedule anything on your personal list that may have been cancelled. Delayed not denied is the way to go. And, most of all, think long and hard before saying “yes” when your child calls and asks if you can watch their dog! Bonus Dog “Bonus dog” moments may also keep you from your personal plans as you stay later, come in early, come in on your day off and do whatever is needed to be done to take care of that family who is depending on your funeral home or cemetery. We love to throw around the term “self-care” and be reminded of the importance of this, but the truth is that sometimes it is set aside, whether intentionally or not. Each of you reading this article has dedicated yourself to helping people during a time that can never be expected or delayed. The death occurs without being on anyone’s Outlook calendar, the death certificates are readied when the county gets to them, the funeral is scheduled and should not be re-scheduled, except for weather delays. Between all of that, you endeavor to complete other Benny, Simone and Lexi (L to R) Ben Phillips, Dustin Lake, Cam Chatmon, Jason Johnston Bluff City Mortuary Services Now Open to Serve Memphis Tri-State and Beyond MEMPHIS,TN— In 1819 Memphis, TN was dubbed The Bluff City. Over 200 years later a group of local morticians now open their doors to serve as a mortuary service to Memphis Metro, the Mississippi Delta, and the needs of all funeral directors under that same name. Jason Johnston, a long time dual licensed professional and co-founder of the organization, is pleased to announce the advantages Bluff City Mortuary Services will be able to render. These include professional removal services with properly dressed and professionally spoken staff along with embalming services for the textbook and difficult case. In addition to sheltering of remains on-site, the firm will supply any needs for domestic and international receiving and or forwarding of remains. Other co-founders Brian Freeman and Bria Hammond approached the idea of a mortuary service in the area due to uncertainty of funeral directors being able to have a choice in the realm of a non-conglomerate operation. They always felt the area needed a stand-alone mortuary service that only does business with the funeral professional and not compete with them by selling services to the general public in a mortuary service environment. After considering some changing avenues in managing funeral homes and cemeteries in the area Johnston assisted in naming the mortuary service and in mere months became general manager. The team has two additional drivers and two additional licensed practitioners. The firm operates a fleet of four professionally fitted mortuary transfer vehicles for institution or residential removals along with vehicles to serve for overland cross country per loaded mile forwarding. Cremation services are provided in assistance with a locally family-owned crematory that operates two Matthews PowerPak II Units. Johnston says he hopes if any need arises in the Bluff City area that fellow funeral directors will call the firm for pricing or how they can be assisted by the operation at the time of need. Johnston is a long time Rotarian and a CFSP with the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. Along with being an active Certified Crematory Operator he is a member in good standing with The British Institute of Embalmers North American Division coupled with his involvement in many associations within the industry. Bluff City Mortuary Services can be reached by visiting www.bluffcityms.com or calling 901-729-6660 DIGITAL DIRECTORY Available Download instantly at www.NomisPublications.com Save on Shipping!
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