By Tara P. York
Funeral service is a profession built on human interaction. We are not only the caretakers of the dead, but of the living family members, friends and acquaintances left behind after a death occurs.
Beyond that, most of our consistent interactions are with the co-workers that we see daily. But some of the most valuable interactions that we have as funeral professionals are with the next generation of people who have decided to enter the field. I think it is safe to say that the next generation of funeral service is here!
Every day, we see more people flock to a career in funeral service. Gone are the days of funeral service being just a family business. From young to old, we are seeing more and more people who are first generation and who have chosen this as a second (or even third) career. Social media has become a powerful tool within our industry, and while everyone has their own opinions about that, there is no denying that we are seeing an uptick of people interested in our profession as a result. There are schools now that are primarily online, only requiring a week or two in person to meet requirements for labs. Funeral service is becoming more accessible for those who are dedicated to this calling.
When I started out in this profession, I remember the intimidation I felt being around individuals with decades of experience under their belt. When I was paired with my preceptor, I was extremely lucky that we were close in age and shared a lot of mutual interests. It made it much easier to talk to him, voice concerns, ask questions and discover my own preferences and methods. He gave me the basic tools I needed to pick fluids, dress a decedent, present a general price list, or handle cosmetics. But he also let me figure out the “beyond the basics” on my own. Sometimes I decided my way wasn’t the best way, and I learned to adjust things without it hurting my ego. And sometimes I even taught him a thing or two if my way worked better. It was a fantastic tradeoff between two people who happened to share a passion for the work we were doing. He became a lifelong mentor and friend, and having that support, even all these years later, means so much to me.
To me, that experience defines what mentorship is supposed to be. As established funeral professionals, we have an obligation to be the best mentor that we can be to the new professionals entering the field. We are here to empower the next generation while remaining open-minded and possibly even learning a thing or two. We should be investing in our apprentices in the hope that they carry forward the knowledge we share.
Continuing Vision Steps Up to Focus on Mentorship
In addition to mentoring our apprentices in person, I have found great value in a particular mentorship program that is gaining momentum.
Continuing Vision is offering an opportunity for established and new funeral professionals to come together, learn, educate and hopefully establish bonds that last far after the program is over. Having joined the administration team for Continuing Vision’s mentorship program last term, I have found such fulfillment in the new connections I have made along the way.
The process of applying is simple, and there is no cost to be part of this program. We dedicate time to getting to know the potential mentors and mentees via a casual Zoom conversation, and that helps us to better match our participants. Our main goal is to ensure that each participant is matched with someone who shares the same interests and goals, hopefully making the connection a seamless experience. We offer various opportunities for the whole group to come together online for educational webinars and meetings. We also offer various platforms for mentors and mentees to stay connected to the other participants both during the program and afterward.
My personal experience with Continuing Vision and Jeff Holcomb, its owner, has been nothing short of fantastic. A few years ago, Jeff and I connected on the topic of continuing education, and he saw that I had a fiery passion for it. As an apprentice, I wanted to learn it all. As an established funeral professional, I still have that same desire. I am always seeking new training opportunities, conventions, seminars and webinars that I can attend. In my eyes, if I learn even just one thing that allows me to do my job more efficiently or serve a family better, then it is worth it. Jeff saw that passion, and he asked me if I would be interested in writing an article for his blog about the importance of continuing education in the funeral industry. I jumped at the opportunity, and it developed the bond between us even more. When he asked if I was interested in presenting a webinar live, I started throwing ideas his way and settled on a topic that is very important to me – medicolegal death investigation and how it pertains to funeral service. This upcoming session of the mentorship program is something I am looking forward to, and I am honored that Jeff has asked me to be such a big part of his vision.
Mentorship is important. We have an obligation to help educate when possible. We should want to assist those entering the profession, as we were once assisted. Not everyone had the amazing experience with their preceptor that I did, but we can make sure that’s not the case for the next generation of funeral professionals. I am finding more and more people who are committed to education, and that is beautiful. We should never stop learning, because when we do, that is when we stop growing.
There is always something to be taught and learned. There is also always something to teach and educate on. Please join us in welcoming the next generation of funeral service and committing ourselves to furthering continuing education within our industry. We would love to have you!
Learn more about the Continuing Vision mentorship program.
