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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 was a busy day today and we still need to notify Social Security and the Veteran’s Administration of Mr. Smith’s death.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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?
- We’re checking tomorrow’s weather in case we need the umbrellas.
- 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.