funeral service

Where the Famous Rest: Reflections from the Front Row of Farewell

I’ve stood in cathedrals, temples, and on city streets, notebook in hand. As a funeral director…
Personal Style and Remembrance: A Funeral Director’s Insight

“My mother’s signature color was emerald green. She said it both honored her Irish heritage and…
Creating a Beautiful Summer-Themed Memorial Service

My colleague, Michael Rizzotto, the manager of a Brooklyn, New York, funeral home, recently shared a…
Celebrating Friendship and Career Journeys: Our StoryCorps Interview

Last month, my best girlfriend and I were interviewed by StoryCorps. The interview was posted today…
A Day in my life —A Cemetery in the Snow, a Law Seminar and Stories to Tell

My day began early, as it always does. I’m a morning person, and I’ve found that…
Grieving at the Holidays: Through the Eyes of a Funeral Director

Some call it “the happiest time of the year,” but it can feel like jingle hell…
Remembering Nelson DeMille: A Literary Legacy

On of the advantages of being a funeral director who writes about famous funerals is being…
The Myth of Running Out of Cemetery Space

One of the prevailing myths is that we, as a country, are running out of cemetery…
12 Things No One Tells You About Being a Funeral Director

Much to my surprise, an article I wrote for BuzzFeed has –so far– garnered 25.4K views…
The Art of Personalizing Funerals: Creating a Meaningful Goodbye

Funeral services have long been seen as traditional and standardized. However, in recent years, personalization is…
No Funeral for the Funeral Director? That Can’t Be Right!

Last month, on a cold February morning, I attended the funeral Mass of a colleague. As…
Cremation 101: What Do You Really Need to Know About That Funeral

There is no aspect of funeral service as misunderstood as cremation. The biggest misconception is that…