What Only the Children of a Funeral Director Would Understand

I've mentioned my deep interest in visiting cemeteries several times in this space. And I've, perhaps, introduced a new word into your vocabulary in the process...taphophile. It's someone who, well, has a deep interest in visiting cemeteries.

Funeral Directors

So there's that, and I won't belabor it here. However, I do not doubt that the reason I find them so fascinating has something to do with the fact that my late father was a funeral director. When your dad does that and your mom runs an accident ward (she was an orthopedic supervisor), you can imagine what the dinner table discussions were like. And you would not be wrong.

Learning About Death at a Young Age

On a more philosophical note, my sister and I were taught, at a young age, that one of life's realities is death. While some parents may put that discussion on pause until later, Mom and Dad were pretty straightforward about it from the get-go.

I'm not saying you have to be a funeral director's kid to get that conversation at a young age, but I'm sure that's why we did.

Hearse on a Highway

One thing, though, that always raises eyebrows is when I reminisce to others about riding with Dad in a hearse to larger cities to pick up decedents and transport them back to Owensboro for burial. We made trips like that to St. Louis, Indianapolis, Louisville, and Memphis. I had a blast imagining what fellow motorists thought seeing a dark blue hearse speeding down the interstate.

It would be fascinating to speak to the children of other funeral directors and see if their interests align with mine. Surely, they couldn't be too far off. Now, look below, and discover what only a mortician's offspring might appreciate.