Friend Died, Funeral Directors Cry Everywhere

Funeral Directors get asked all the time how they can do this job knowing that a person has just died.  For me the answer is easy, I know what grief feels like, and when someone you don't know dies, you don't feel grief. 

Empathy for the family that's going through the grief, maybe even sympathy.  But grief is not what we feel.  A relenting desire to help make sure the family has an opportunity to grieve, make sure that everything goes right and make the arrangement proces as easy as possible.  It all changes when someone you know and care for dies, especially a fellow funeral director.

Today I was notified at my home that a good friend of mine and co-worker Lou Ramirez died tragically in a motorcycle accident on the way to Sturgess yesterday.  Lou Ramirez, 35, was a great funeral director, he was someone I judge myself against when considering how sincere and affectionate I am when dealing with families.  I would be honored if they asked me to handle his arrangements for his services, but that in turn would also be a bad day.  Making arrangements for someone you care for IS different.

We'll find out more tomorrow but for now these are my thoughts;

Lou died doing something he loved.

Lou never hid, he lived.

He was a kind and ever sincere person.

He would want us to miss him for sure, but he would not want us to be saddened for what he missed, I assure you he didn't miss much for the opportunity he was given.

I'm not sure where Lou would think he is now, but I know he will always be apart of my memories and an influence in my life.

Goodluck and Goodspeed my friend.