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What Are The Five Current Trends In The Funeral Service Operations?

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After some research on five current trends in the funeral service operations, I decided to choose the following submerging topics: personalization, technology, “green” funerals, women in the industry and pet funerals. In regards to personalization, Shivon loved the idea that more services were becoming specific to a deceased individual’s life. Families are trying to seek ways to make meaningful funeral services, while helping with the grieving process. “The idea of personalization has resulted in an explosion of unique services that reflect the hobbies, passions and interests of someone who has died” (National Funeral Directors Association, 2017). With technology on the rise, it is only appropriate for funeral homes to jump on the …show more content…

As she continued on the topic, she commented that people hear things about the profession and assume that a funeral home cannot provide certain services. Families have the option to be involved for the preparation of their loved one, home funerals can be arranged and “green” products can be supplied to families requesting such items. “Depending on a family’s preferences, a green funeral can include any or all of the following: a small gathering in a natural setting, use of only recycled paper products, locally-grown organic flowers, carpooling, organic food, no embalming, or embalming with formaldehyde-free products, the use of sustainable biodegradable clothing, shroud or casket, and natural or green burial” (National Funeral Directors Association, 2017). “Green” cemeteries tend to be far from an individual’s home, so interring a loved one and not having the option of constantly visiting, is out of the question. Being curious on who Shivon interviewed during her course in the program, I was dumbfounded when she informed me her interviewee discouraged her to continue her path to become an embalmer, due to her gender. After my complete shock wore off, she informed me that I’ve been living in a “bubble” since I work for Forest Lawn and that other mortuaries observed women as inferior. “Fortunately, we do not have to experience women discrimination at Forest Lawn. We work for an organization that

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