The best books by funeral directors and for funeral directors Shepherd’s Book, February 13, 2023

A Funeral Director’s Perspective on Rites  The Tablet, May 13, 2022

To Pre-Plan or Not Pre-Plan That Is The Question Booming Encore, October 20, 2021

Unlocking the Realities and Myths About Funerals Booming Encore, August 10, 2021

How the Pandemic Has Changed the Way We Grieve Next Avenue, February 24, 2021

Funeral Service in the Time of COVID-19 The Saturday Evening Post, May 19, 2020

A Funeral Home Director’s View of the Pandemic Next Avenue, April 27, 2020

 Second Act: From Funeral Director to Author Next Avenue, October 31, 2019

The history of us: Tombstone tourism connects visitors to Long Island’s past Newsday, October 20, 2019

Midlife Reflections on Posing Nude for Playboy  betterafter50.com, July 15, 2019 

Five Things I’ve learned in my long career as a funeral director  Life. Death. Whatever., May 6, 2019

I was pleased to share my view of funeral service, gleaned from the work I’ve done, the experiences of my colleagues, and the perspective of the thousands of families I’ve served over the years. Despite what you may read in slanted press articles (with the fringe and/or inexperienced being used as sources to further a false narrative), funerals are as important as they ever were.

Let’s Keep the Funeral Tradition Alive The Saturday Evening Post, Jan./Feb. 2018

One of the most important articles I’ve ever written on funeral service.

The Reinvention of a Proud Soldier,Legiontown, November 14, 2014

Be Our Guest: Cremations are an important custom for Indians, creating a growth industry in the city NY Daily News, February 4, 2013

Trade Secrets of a Mortician (Funeral Director) AOL Jobs, March 25, 2011

Of the many questions asked of me in my more than 25 years as a funeral director, there is one that is asked most: Why are funerals so expensive?

Confessions of a Mortician (Funeral Director) AOL Jobs, February 4, 2011

Wherever I go, people ask me what it’s like to work as a funeral director. I tell them it is not an easy career, particularly given the emotional component of the work. As funeral directors, we deal with issues of mortality — our own as well as those of our clients — on a daily basis. We also work long hours in a field where, contrary to public perception, the pay is not commensurate with the work we do. Still, the intangible rewards are many in a career I see as being a sacred trust.

Kates-Boylston Publications 

Learning About Green-Wood Through the Eyes of its Most Popular Tour Guide American Cemerery & Cremation, April 2023       An interview with Marge Raymond. 

Five Women Who Are Making a Difference American Funeral Director, March 2023 (Cover Story)

When Did Funeral Service Become a Spectator Sport? American Funeral Director, February 2023

Tombstone Tourism in Winter American Cemetery & Cremation, December 2022

A Low-Profile Cemetery with High Profile Permanent Residents American Cemetery & Cremation, October 2022 (Cover Story)    Westchester Hills Cemetery – Stephen Wise Free Synagogue 

Omar Rodriguez: Answering the Call American Funeral Director, May 2022 (Cover Story)

5 Taphophiles American Cemetery & Cremation, May 2022

Officer Anastasios Tsakos: May His Memory be Eternal American Funeral Director, April 2022

A Pocket of Peace, American Cemetery & Cremation, November 2021 (Cover Story) Hartsdale Pet Cemetery.

Keep the Conversation Going Q & A With Henry Johnston American Funeral Director, June 2021

Keep the Conversation Going Q & A With Salvatore Stratis and Jeffrey Gaines of Abigal Inc. American Funeral Director, December 2020

Windows into Long Island’s Past American Cemetery & Cremation, October 2020

Working Through Tragedy American Funeral Director, July 2020

An Old-School Funeral Director With a Young Face  American Funeral Director, September 2019

Tragic Women of Green-Wood Cemetery American Cemetery & Cremation, May 2019

Lt. Tony Giorgio, Leader of the Band American Funeral Director, February 2019

A Night to Memorialize  American Cemetery & Cremation, April 2018 (Cover Story) Titanic Graves.

Funerals, Faith & Facing Fear American Funeral Director, December 2017

The Splendor of Moravian Cemetery American Cemetery & Cremation, May 2017

One Final Salute American Funeral Director, April 2017 The funeral of Det. Steven McDonald. 

Celebrated & Spectacular American Cemetery & Cremation, July 2016 (Cover Story) Kensico Cemetery.

A Man of Law American Funeral Director, May 2016 The funeral of Justice Antonin Scalia.

Shop ‘Til You Drop American Cemetery & Cremation, December 2015 The burial places of noted American retailers.

Doris Amen: The Real Deal American Funeral Director, October 2015

A Giant Among Men American Funeral Director, August 2015

Celebrating Mario Cuomo American Funeral Director, March 2015 (Cover Story)

Mourners Honor Joan Rivers American Funeral Director, December 2014

Sleepy Hollow Cemetery American Cemetery, October 2014

An Undying Passion American Funeral Director August 2014

Making the Right Choices American Funeral Director, March 2014 (Cover Story) An interview with Charles Salomon,  president of Riverside Memorial Chapel.

Holy Cross Cemetery American Cemetery, February 2014

Mayor Ed Koch 1924-2013 American Funeral Director, August 2013 (Cover Story)

Moments in Time American Cemetery, June 2013 (Cover Story)  Calvary Cemetery profile.

Spotlight: Women in Funeral Service American Funeral Director, February 2013

Where’s Dick Clark? American Funeral Director, September 2012

When You Are Not Called to Serve American Funeral Director, July 2012

Salem Fields Forever American Cemetery, March 2012 (Cover Story)

Green-Wood American Funeral Director, December 2010

Powerhouse Newspaper Publishers, American Funeral October 2010

Queen of Salsa, American Funeral Director, May 2010

The Life and Death of David O. Selznick, American Funeral Director, July 2008

Vivien Leigh, American Funeral Director, June 2006

Oakland Cemetery, American Cemetery, September 2005

Hattie McDaniel -A Woman of Many Firsts, American Funeral Director, May 2004

The Life, Death & Funeral of Margaret Mitchell, American Funeral Director, March 2004

The Funeral of John Gotti, American Funeral Director, December 2002

Gate of Heaven Cemetery, American Cemetery, April 2002

Marilyn Monroe, American Funeral Director, July 2001

The Death & Enduring Legacy of Eva Peron, American Funeral Director, January 2001

Funerals of the Infamous, American Funeral Director

Her Story, American Funeral Director, American Funeral Director, May 1998 (Cover Story)

 

The Director 

How We Remember, September 2021

A Funeral Director’s Third Act

Standout Women Reflect, October 2017

Using Social Media Wisely, March 2014

Are You Ready? September 2013

Newsday

The history of us: Tombstone tourism connects visitors to Long Island’s past,October 20, 2019

Quiet Community, Joyous Easter, April 26, 2003

Life in His Lens, August 11, 2001

On Higher Ground

The Enemy at Home

They Feel Welcomed 

CUNY is Lending a Hand

The Language of Grief, March 14, 2001

 

Sixty and Me

   

SUMMER FRAGRANCES: RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BEST SCENTS FOR THE SUMMER

NO FUNERAL FOR THE FUNERAL DIRECTOR? THAT CAN’T BE RIGHT!

6 PRODUCTS TO HELP MAKE YOUR FINE HAIR LOOK FULL AND THICK

HOW ARE YOU MANAGING YOUR CHOLESTEROL LEVELS?

MY FAVORITE CEMETERY TRAVEL BOOKS

MODELING AFTER 60 – IS IT FOR YOU?

ARE YOU THINKING Of HIRING A FUNERAL PHOTOGRAPHER?

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT CHOOSING A CREMATION URN

WHAT HAPPENS TO CREMATED REMAINS THEREAFTER?

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN CONSIDERING A HOME FUNERAL

HOW TO FEEL BEAUTIFUL, STYLISH AND RESILIENT AT 90

LESSONS YOU CAN LEARN FROM A TOUR IN YOUR LOCAL CEMETERY

12+ THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT PLANNING A MEMORIAL SERVICE

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT CHOOSING A CEMETERY

POST PANDEMIC FUNERAL SERVICE – CAN WE FIND SOME NORMALCY?

THE ART OF GIVING A EULOGY – SHARE THE BEST STORIES AND GET PERSONAL ABOUT IT

CAN LONG-TERM FRIENDSHIPS ENDURE IN LATER LIFE?

10 CREATIVE WAYS TO KEEP FUNERAL COSTS DOWN

FASHION TO DIE FOR: HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR LAST OUTFIT

CREMATION 101: WHAT DO YOU REALLY NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THAT FUNERAL

REMEMBER THESE 8 USEFUL TIPS WHEN DONATING AFTER A LOVED ONE DIES

HOW TO WRITE CONDOLENCE NOTES: 8 TIPS THAT MIGHT COME IN HANDY

6 IMPORTANT FACTS WE CAN LEARN FROM THE FUNERAL OF PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. BUSH

AGING, AMBITION, AND LATE BLOOMERS: THE GOALS THAT PUSH US ONWARD AFTER 60

3 MYTHS ABOUT GREEN BURIALS: A FUNERAL DIRECTOR’S PERSPECTIVE

8 IMPORTANT THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ARRANGING A FUNERAL

WHAT IT’S LIKE TO WORK AS A FUNERAL DIRECTOR

Buzzfeed

Funeral Directors Tell What It’s Really Like February 10, 2019

In 2003, I wrote my first book, Grave Undertakings, a memoir of my early career as a funeral director. At the time, there were few first-hand accounts of what it was like to work in the funeral business. Since that time, a number of my colleagues have followed suit. The following are some of my favorites in no particular order.

The Wonders of Woodlawn  May 20, 2018

New York City’s second largest cemetery — at just under 400 acres — was once the site of a Revolutionary War redoubt. Founded in 1863, Woodlawn’s first burial –of 28-year-old Phoebe Underhill–took place two years later. Since that time more than 300,000 people have joined her in final repose. Everyday New Yorkers share the meticulously manicured grounds with noted authors, inventors, journalists, showmen, politicians and the occasional Robber Baron. With its mix of simple steles, intricate sculpture, and elaborate family mausoleums, Woodlawn, designated a National Historic Landmark in 2011, is an architectural smorgasbord. Here are some of the sights that will enthrall.

Lords Of Retail  February 1, 2017

With a mix of business acumen and hard work, these American retailers built their own merchandising empires. These establishments range from the modest offerings of a five-and-dime store, to the splendor of a luxurious jeweler. While these well-known merchants are long gone, their legacies live on. Their graves can be found in some of New York’s most famous cemeteries: Green-Wood, Woodlawn, Kensico and Salem Fields.

Godfather Graves November 24, 2016

Although the heyday of the mafia is long past, the graves of major mobsters continue to be a big draw. The burial spots are found in major cemeteries in New York City, which has been the center point of the Mafia in American history.

Sleepy Hollow Cemetery  October 25, 2016

Published in 1820, Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow holds a prominent place in American folklore. The tale of the headless horseman will forever be associated with Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. While tourists flock to the historic graveyard year round, the changing colors of fall herald in its prime seasonal attraction: Halloween. If you are planning a visit to the storied Westchester County, New York graveyard here’s a sampling of what to see.

Green-Wood Cemetery’s 12 “Must See” Monuments  February 16, 2015

As a funeral director and avid taphophile (one who is interested in the history and architecture found in cemeteries), I have seen more than my fair share of burial grounds. Over the years, I have written profiles about a number of notable cemeteries for “American Cemetery Magazine.” One in particular, Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery, has continuously grabbed my attention. In 2008, I wrote a book about this National Historic Landmark. The famous names read like a Who’s Who of America: Currier and Ives, Steinway, Tiffany, Greeley, Sperry, Morse, Bernstein, Squibb, Pfizer, and FAO Schwarz. Yet, they comprise only a tiny fraction of the almost 600,000 people interred there. At 478 acres, Green-Wood is the largest cemetery in New York City. A visitor could spend weeks roaming its beautiful grounds and still not see it all. For a person with limited time to tour Green-Wood, here are a dozen monuments not to be missed.