Career ch-ch-ch changes!

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drhardee

drhardee

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Location
Columbia, SC
As a followup to the thread about the current state of education, someone asked me what I was going to do when I left education. I'm going back to work in the Deathcare industry..I'm already a licensed Funeral Director, and will (at some point) begin a course of study to become a licensed embalmer. I've been hired full-time at the large funeral home where I have worked part-time for 5 years. Strange as it may seem, this career is my "passion", and it's work that I really enjoy doing. I have been and will always be in a "helping" profession, and working with families through what is probably the toughest emotional time in their lives, the loss of a loved one, is tremendously satisfying and gratifying work. I plan to do outreach to the Gay and Lesbian community in Columbia. If you haven't lived in a place all your life and have an established family relationship with a funeral home ("y'all buried Grandmama, Mama, and y'all are gonna bury me or cremate me" is something I hear often), it can be a challenge to know who can be there for you and your loved one at a very vulnerable time.

The technical "downstairs" stuff...yeah, I enjoy doing that too, though on a different level altogether. I've completed my (750 bodies)2 year apprenticeship in embalming, and I need to get the Associates degree and licensure in Mortuary Science from a long-distance community college in another part of the state.

It'll be difficult uprooting myself from a comfortable career that I'm good at and in which I am highly regarded. But I have my husband's backing and blessing, and I'm ready for a career change. I call it "Dave 2.0" Stay tuned!
 
Good Luck

Well I hate to lose another guy in our profession but understand. I'll be making a career change myself in 8 years when I retire from career 1. At least youre not at a dead end job *rimshot*

Hugs
Joe
jamman_98
 
Dave:

I think it makes perfect sense:

You'll be working with people who've already learned everything they'll ever need to know, and who are known for being extremely well-behaved!

Couldn't resist. ;-)
 
these guys are funny....

.....your change over job requires some humour I think.(in order for people to deal with commenting about it anyway)

I think the funeral field is fascinating and just for the record I consider you and the guys who can do it as certifiable saints.THis goes for nurses and CNAs as well.Or anyone who can deal with the end of life.

Im not sure how to say that its a good time to get into it what with the baby boomers climbing up the age ladder but it is what it is on that thought.

I personally think I could do the counseling part as a person with a huge family who a good chunk of them have decided parting this world all in the same ten year period was nice. who decided living past 60 is for the birds, I have been at a ton of funerals and partaked in a lot of the set ups.

But the embalming part I think Id have to pass on.Im glad there are saints like you here on this earth blessed with the abilty to do it.

Just out of curiosity what did you think of the business set ups on Six Feet Under? Accurate?

I particularly liked the fantasy parts where the passed ons communicate while being embalmed. Is there a sense of that in reality. My moms funeral director was (is) very perceptive and tho he never knew her, it was as if he did.

one last thought while Im at praisieng you guys. Funny thing about the funeral man, nothing could comfort me at that time, no dr, no preist, not my dad, my siblings, or even my best friend. For some reason I asked this man what he thought about heaven...said he, if its even ten percent of what we have been led to believe, it has got to be the most beautiful thing known. THAT comforted me.You guys have a big job.
 
I was recently told the story of a lady who switched careers to become a teacher (in her case 2nd grade). She complained of the long hours, disrespectful behavior, and lack of support. She said: "This is too hard, I'm going back to my old job" and quit in October.

Her old job was a parole officer.

Best of luck in the new career. :)
 
Best of luck in your career change. Since this is your calling, then so be it and so it is.

As part of my career, I have had to appraise funeral homes and walk among the cadavers to photograph the place. The rest in my office cringe. I say FEH, the living can hurt me. The dearly departed are at peace and can't.

My "tour-guides" through the funeral homes laugh when I say good morning to the deceased, followed by "please excuse me, I need a few pictures". Did they expect me to keel over?

Anyhoo.... I admire your drive and your ability to follow your calling. It is not an easy profession, but you are to be doing (as you also did as a teacher) a tremendous service to G-d and the universe. And for that you deserve praise and recognition.
 
Before... 10 years career at Electrolux creating and developing many models sold in South America, Europe and Asia... (Including the fucking UK INSIGHT model) ($550.000+ benefits/year) and I decided to quit.

Now... 2 1/2 years working for a trade company in Paraguay ($80.000 and no benefits/year)

Peace of mind.... Priceless!

Laundry industry isn´t heaven as many people think.
 
Guys,

Thanks so much for the kind words of support. Changing careers at 43 is rather un-nerving, and then there's going to be the salary change to consider (it's a bit lower). But, hey, you've got to start somewhere, and I've been financially preparing for this by paring expenditures (leather "accoutrements" notwithstanding!) and saving money.

We'll do just fine, and the funeral home is 1.8 miles from the house! If I didn't have to do it in a black suit, I could walk there! That's so much better than the 33 mile round-trip I'm currently making.

Again, my thanks,I'll keep y'all posted!
 

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