“Questions and Answers” with Victor C. March of Baltimore, MD. Mr. March is the owner and operator of Marcorp, the March Funeral Home Family of Businesses, Roberta’s House and King Memorial Park.

Interview by Elleanor Starks

Starting at the beginning of March Funeral Home, what was your parents vision for business in Baltimore, the March Funeral Home and their children?

  My parents grew up during the Depression. My father dreamt of being an Architect, however, having to drop out of school to take a job to support his family and later drafted into the War, he knew a college degree was not in his future. He pledged that if he ever made it home from the War, he would use the GI Bill to go to mortuary school to be able to start his own business to insure his children would receive a college education.

  His vision for starting the funeral home was very simple, to provide for his family and to be able to send his children to the best college he could afford. Like with any new business, the early years were very slow. Fortunately, my father maintained a full time job, on the evening shift, at the U.S. Post Office for 30 years while building his funeral business in Baltimore. My mother supported my father’s vision and received her funeral directors license to support and take care of the business during the day.

How have you as a parent and now a grandparent set goals similar to your parents for your children, Victor Jr. and Carmalita?

  From an early age my siblings and I were able to assist in some aspects of the family business (mopping floors, vacuuming, moving chairs, assisting in the office, etc.) we had some role to play. It was hard to separate the business from the family and the family from the business. When it came time for each of us to go off to college, my parents never encouraged or forced us to pursue a career in funeral service. They wanted each of us to pursue our own dreams and careers. My parents only had one requirement of us, whatever career we decided to pursue, just promise to be the best! Each of my siblings did just that! Both of my sisters, Cynthia and Annette, pursued careers in nursing and became Registered Nurses at University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins Hospitals. My brother Erich received his degree in Psychology and Creative Writing from Johns Hopkins University and I received an Accounting Degree from Loyola University of Maryland and became a CPA. I was also fortunate to receive a full scholarship to attend Harvard Business School where I graduated in 2002. Although we each had our own careers, we knew our hearts were in the family business. Each of us brought our talents back to the family business and went back to school to receive our Mortuary Science Degrees and we are all Licensed Morticians. Even my wife Lola, of almost 40 years, joined the family business 32 years ago and is a Licensed Mortician. Annette’s husband, Arthur “Dino” also joined our family business 32 years ago managing our vehicle fleet and funeral assistants.

  Like my parents, I encourage not only my children but other members of the third generation, who wanted to come into the family business, to first pursue other career choices first. Work in corporate America, learn all you can and if you still want to be a part of the family business then fine. At least this way you be able to bring those talents with you to help the business grow.

  My son Victor Jr. received a degree in Computer Science from James Madison University and later worked for four years with Sprint as a software engineer. Carmalita received her degree in Marketing from University of Maryland and later was the assistant to the Administrator of Maryland Mass Transit Administration for 4 years. My nephew Nathan received a Law Degree from Georgetown University, worked in the legal profession for a number of years. Each of them decided they too could contribute to the family business and returned full time, bringing their respective talents with them. Not only did they bring their talents but they decided to go back to school together to pursue degrees in Mortuary Science. Each of them are also licensed Morticians. A fourth member of the third generation, my nephew Justin, a graduate from Moorehouse with a Computer Science degree as recently joined the family business on a full time basis.

What are your involvements in the community, civic, fraternal or social arena that you hold close to your heart?

  I am currently the President of the Maryland State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors. I am the Treasurer and Trustee of the Funeral Service Foundation with the National Funeral Directors Association. I am also the Treasurer and Board member of the Reginald Lewis African American Museum; a member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Gamma Boulé and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

Tell us what Roberta’s House means to you and your family and the Baltimore Community?

  In 1982, we realized that as funeral service professionals, we were not fully addressing the needs of the families we were serving when we and all of their friends left them at the cemetery. The grief of loss was most great when everyone was gone and they felt all alone. We decided to create our own grief support program called “A Time of Sharing”. As time went on, it was quite apparent that there were many programs available for adults but not any for children who were experiencing loss at staggering levels. Loss of a sibling, a parent, a family member or friend with no means of knowing how to deal with this loss and pain. To express this pain in schools may display weakness and thus be targeted by bullies! In 2008, after the passing of our mother, we formed Roberta’s House, named after her, as a grief and loss center for children, adolescents and families. Since that time we have served over 5,000 families through Roberta’s House, which is still the only Grief and Loss Center for children in a major urban city.

What is your biggest accomplishment today in funeral service?

  I would have to say that my major accomplishment was taking my parents dream and their legacy beyond the city of Baltimore to as far south as Richmond, VA. To expand beyond our funeral homes and cemetery to include a crematory, floral, insurance, banquet facilities and more. A truly full service funeral service organization.

Where do you see the profession moving in the next 10 years? How do you stay current and informed in the industry?

  I think it is important to say that the profession that we know today will not be the same in the next ten years. As cremation continues to grow as a consumer preference, funeral home operators will have to adjust to become more of an event planner to create an experience when there is “no body” present! I do believe that we see other industries vying for this same market (i.e. hotels, catering facilities, even churches). The need for licensed embalmers will diminish as the need for quality arrangers and creative talent will be in demand. Successful funeral professionals will be those who will be able to create an experience that help families pay tribute to and remember their loved ones in a way that is creative and unique.

You spoke to one of your scholarship recipients at NFDA this past October, is mentorship in this industry important? What is your recipe for success for the new generation of funeral caregivers entering the industry?

  Yes, extremely important. This profession has challenges in recruiting and identifying quality people. There is a great need to help mold and develop those who have chosen to enter the profession. Mentorship plays a pivotal role in providing the skill sets that are necessary to be successful. People in this profession tend to keep things a secret. They may feel the younger generation needs to “figure it out on their own” because that’s what they had to do. We need to step away from this thinking and move into “what can I do to help you be successful?” We all need to do everything in our power to help grow and strengthen the industry.

We cannot end this conversation without talking about the late great J. Roberta March, your mom. She was a trailblazer and visionary. She is the Matriarch and beloved role model to many of our 100 BWFS Officers and Founders who honor her each year in October at NFDA with a Cancer Awareness National Event. She died from Breast Cancer and has been an inspiration and strength for women fighting and women who are survivors. Tell us 10 enduring adjectives that describe your mom.

•     Courageous

•     Dignified

•     Elegant

•     Humble

•     Respectful

•     Compassionate

•     Motherly

•     Professional

•     Virtuous

•     Selfless