ownership and management. At the same time, other times may result from relationships formed with civic or religious groups. Funeral service providers frequently become an unofficial specialist within varying groups of a community. Whereas one funeral home may be known for traditional Hispanic services, Multicultural firms As many funeral homes have historically remained segregated in the client families they serve, it has been natural for the staff to be predominately segregated. Discrimination in hiring, promotion, or firing has been forbidden since the Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964. However, it has only been natural for the funeral service firms’ staff to resemble the clientele served. The trend of voluntary segregation in staff is changing, just as is the client families that are served by funeral service providers around the country. As with any change, there will be many areas of the country that are more progressive in the change, while many others will lag far behind. Changes of any variety are often accompanied by challenges for all who are involved. It is not only the families of a firm set in their ways, practices, and traditions, but the same applies to the owners, managers, directors, and staff of funeral service firms. The differences in practices can be viewed as challenges or can be viewed as opportunities for growth. As students at Mortuary Colleges, funeral directors learned many traditional customs and practices worldwide, especially those in the United States. Though familiar with these customs’ basics, many directors are not genuinely familiar with other cultures’ practices. Being open to learning others’ services can vastly expand the knowledge base and experience of funeral service professionals. There is not a more efficient and authentic way to learn about other customs than by experience. There is no better teacher than a fellow funeral director with experience in those customs, practices, or traditions. An essential part of being a professional is fully realizing that a true professional never stops learning.
others may be known for Jewish or Asian services. A firm’s primary clientele should never preclude a provider from being open to and willing to serve the needs of any family who may call upon their services.
People naturally tend to feel more comfortable with the ones they feel resemble themselves. Other factors are also applicable to the ease people feel with the ones they choose to do business with. Common languages, experiences, cultures, and religious beliefs can all be factors of importance. The mere sight of a stranger wearing a shirt or cap of a sports team that a person is a fan of will cause the person to feel a subconscious connection with the stranger. There are certainly still racial issues that must be addressed in the U.S.; however, the division is less than other times in history. As professionals of differing races and customs come together, everyone must work together professionally and respectfully of acceptance. Today’s professional funeral service practitioners will be the models that help shape and mold future generations. The term ‘Professional’ was previously defined in this course. Being professional and professionally conducting oneself applies to coworkers just as it is to the client families served and the public. The color of one’s skin, sexual orientation, the accent one speaks with, the religious beliefs, or the position one holds within a firm is relevant to the amount of respect one should receive. In a truly professional firm of funeral service providers, everyone should be treated with dignity and respect. This policy and practice should always begin with the ownership and management and continue throughout the firm. Just as directors in the present set an example for future generations, ownership and management of firms set an example for all firm staff members.
MULTICULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS
Personal beliefs aside There were times in American history when derogatory terminology and racial slurs were used without the same stigma associated with using such terminology today. Regardless of the associated stigma, then or now, the use of such terminology is fundamentally wrong. Most are generally taught to be polite to others from a very young age and always exercise the golden rule, a principle known as “treat others as you want to be treated.” Prudent funeral service professionals must always observe this principle and eternal refrain from vile and inappropriate terminology. Grief is universal, just as is death. When someone has experienced loss and is grieving, being treated kindly and respectfully is of utmost importance. Funeral directors generally possess a calming presence that brings comfort to families. Directors help bring order to what is often a time that feels chaotic and uncontrolled. The set of personal beliefs a director holds dear should not determine the level of compassion and professionalism exercised in serving a family with differing beliefs. Choosing to respect one’s beliefs and honoring their wishes for their services or those of a loved one does not change the director’s personal beliefs. The death care industry was born from a need to care for the bodies of the deceased. This necessity remains a critical component for the health and safety of society. However, another imperative component of the industry is caring for the families and loved ones left behind. The first responsibility in serving families is extending hospitality to the families that enter a funeral establishment. Hospitality is defined as “treatment, reception, or disposition” (www.merriam-webster.com, 2020). Extending a welcoming and hospitable experience to all visitors of a firm creates a warm and healing environment. The hospitality felt by families should not be determined by their race, religion, or
cultural customs. Everyone should be warmly welcomed to a firm without judgment. There are modern practices in Western society that would have been considered inappropriate in decades past. Just as there are customs and practices in one geographical region of the country that would be considered inappropriate in other areas, that does not make one practice or tradition more right, more appropriate, or more respectful than another. For example, the practice of streaming a funeral or memorial service is a relatively new concept. Even within the past decade, the hardware and software to perform such a service were not commonplace in funeral homes. The watching of a funeral via an online live stream could have been viewed by many as disrespectful in light of people not having the respect to attend the service in person. The dawn of a new age occurred in the year 2020 with the Covid-19 virus. Not only in the funeral service industry, but nearly every industry and sector in the world was faced with change. Families were prevented and even prohibited from gathering to pay their respects, mourn the loss, and celebrate the life of their loved ones. A large number of funeral service providers scrambled to provide the technology and availability of this service to their families in need. Families that may have been vehemently opposed to a virtual service in the near past were now left in a position to be grateful that technology was available to enable them to memorialize their loved ones. Virtual services are but one example of how the world has evolved and changed and will continue to change in the future. The ability and willingness to treat everyone who calls upon a funeral service provider with more than tolerance are necessary for service to others. Treating those who differ from oneself with hospitality does require tolerance. However, exercising tolerance is not the same as extending hospitality. Tolerance is defined as
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Book Code: FFL1223
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