Family to Family: The Charles F. Snyder Funeral Blog

What Do Funeral Directors Do?

Posted on January 7, 2022 by Charles F. Snyder Funeral Homes

It’s late, why is the light on at the funeral home?

 

Today, there was a funeral. People cried. Tissues were crumpled and left on the tables.  Flower petals fell to the floor. Now, the cleaning staff is making things tidy for the family who will be here tomorrow.

 

It’s late, why is the light on at the funeral home?

 

Someone in our town died away from home, the funeral director is traveling many miles to bring him home and into the funeral home’s care. The light is on in anticipation of his safe return.

 

It’s late, why is the light on at the funeral home?

 

Hospice called. The teacher who taught the funeral director — and you — in the third grade isn’t expected to make it through the night. He’s catching up on paperwork while he keeps vigil. Soon he’ll be called to the home and it will be his turn to take care of the teacher.

 

It’s late, why is the light on at the funeral home?

 

There are computer problems. The video tribute file a family sent won’t work. We’re staying late to make it right for their service.

 

It’s late, why is the light on at the funeral home?

 

It was a busy day today and we still need to notify Social Security and the Veteran’s Administration of Mr. Smith’s death.

 

It’s late, why is the light on at the funeral home?

 

There’s been a terrible accident. We’re doing our best to make a loved one presentable so that they can say goodbye with dignity.

 

It’s late, why is the light on at the funeral home?

 

The obituary the Jones’s gave us for their father is full of misspellings. We need to correct them and get it to the paper.

 

It’s late, why is the light on at the funeral home?

 

We’re reviewing all of the details for tomorrow’s service. When will the celebrant arrive? Do we have drivers for the cars? Who will be the pallbearers?

 

It’s late, why is the light on at the funeral home?

 

We’re checking tomorrow’s weather in case we need the umbrellas.

 

It’s late, why is the light on at the funeral home?

 

The light is on because your neighbor, the funeral director, is pacing the floor. He can’t sleep. Tomorrow, he will oversee the service for his daughter’s classmate.

 

Sometimes death is just too close, even for him.

 

www.snyderfuneralhome.com

Categories: Selecting Funeral Services


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Comments on this Article

January 09, 2022

You don’t have just a family business – you have answered a calling to serve others in their most desperate times of grief.  Thank you for your compassion, your attention to detail, and your friendship thru the years.

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Offering Lancaster, PA funeral services for over 75 years.

Our six funeral homes in Lancaster County makes it easy and convenient to make arrangements and host services close to home.

  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Downtown Lancaster
  • 414 East King St.
  • 717-393-9661
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  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Lititz Pike
  • 3110 Lititz Pike
  • 717-560-5100
  • Charles F. (Chad) Snyder, III Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Millersville
  • 441 North George St.
  • 717-872-5041
  • Mark D. Burkholder Funeral Director / Supervisor
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  • Spacht-Snyder Family Funeral Home Lititz, PA
  • 127 South Broad St.
  • 717-626-2317
  • Jacqueline Adamson Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Bachman-Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory Strasburg, PA
  • 7 South Decatur Street
  • 717-687-7644
  • Norman T. Mable Funeral Director / Supervisor
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  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Willow Street, PA
  • 2421 Willow Street Pike
  • 717-464-4600
  • Kelly Gramola Townsend Funeral Director / Supervisor
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