funeral service
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Winterbottom & Sons: A Funeral Home in the Tenderloin
New York’s funeral homes have always held remarkable stories—some solemn, some surprising, all deeply human. And unearthing old stories from the colorful early days of funeral service in NYC is one of my writing pleasures. This month in American Funeral Director, I explore one of the most colorful: Winterbottom & Sons on Sixth Avenue. It’s…
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Care You Can’t Buy: The Value of Relationship in Funeral Service
People often assume choosing a funeral director is a simple, transactional decision—pick a place, sign a few papers, and the rest somehow takes care of itself. But from where I stand, behind the arrangement desk and beside the grieving, the choice is far more intimate than most people realize. And when a family chooses a…
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My Life as a Funeral Director: Embracing the Unspoken
I’ve been reading through old funeral trade magazines lately, flipping through interviews with funeral directors who’ve written books about their careers — mostly self‑published, some genuinely compelling, others… less so. As I read, I found myself thinking about my first book. When it came out, it felt groundbreaking — though I didn’t fully realize that…
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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 made her feel like royalty,” the daughter of the deceased told me a few days ago. At the arrangement conference, when she handed me a silk wrap dress –one of her mother’s favorites–in that color, I knew exactly what…
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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 the hours between 5:00 and 7:00 AM are an ideal time for writing, especially with my busy and often intense days at the funeral home. During these early hours, my mind is fresh, and there are typically no incoming…
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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 for others. The holiday season has always been a time of joy and celebration, when families come together to share laughter, love, and create lasting memories. But for those who have lost a loved one, the holidays can be…