The Decade’s Top 10 Connecting Directors Stories

A lot of things can change in 10 years — even in the traditionally tortoise-paced death care space. Just think about these few statistics:

2010 U.S. cremation rate: 40%
2019 U.S. cremation rate: 53%

2010 U.S. funeral homes: 19,902
2019 U.S. funeral homes: 19,136

2010 average funeral cost (no vault): $6,560
2019 average funeral cost (no vault): $7,640

What a difference a decade can make! As we enter the third one of the millenium, we wanted to look back on the Connecting Directors stories that you most enjoyed over the past 10 years. We even included a bonus story for your reading pleasure.

Bonus: Some of Life’s Most Difficult Work is Handled by Funeral Directors

Connecting Directors shared this story in 2013. Originally appearing in the Dallas Morning News, it featured a layman’s interview with a funeral director. From “funeral-zillas” to middle-of-the-night calls, this store offered real-life insight into a day in YOUR life.

10. Controversial Post About The Inconvenience of A Funeral Procession Gets A Rebuttal Article

This post from 2014 detailed an interesting rebuttal to Bill Mayeroff’s blog post entitled “Funeral Processions Should Be Outlawed,” which was published by ChicagoNow.com. The rebuttal, written by Alan D. Wolfelt, Director of the Center for Loss & Life Transition, is definitely worth a re-read.

9. Parting Stone Develops New, Solidified Form of Human Remains

This is the only article from 2019 to make the top 10 of the decade, and deservedly so. If you missed it, please check out this story to Former Connecting Directors managing editor Justin Crowe’s incredibly innovative new company Parting Stone. 

8. The Entire Funeral Profession Freaked Out Over This Picture

A picture is worth a thousand…gasps, complaints, hands raised in disgust? Can you find what’s wrong with this picture of the casket containing the remains of former First Lady Nancy Reagan?

7. 22 Remarkable Things to Do With Ashes to Honor Your Loved One

Recently updated to reflect the brand new option of solidifying cremated remains into stones (see #9 above), this 2017 list of 22 creative cremains disposal options is super interesting.

6. Here’s what it’s REALLY like to be an embalmer

This Business Insider article from 2015 features an intimate interview with John “Jack” Mitchell IV, a sixth-generation funeral director and embalmer in Baltimore, Maryland. Mitchell describes a typical day on the job, how he became an embalmer, and some of his best and worst experiences.

5. This New Maserati Ghibli Hearse is Unbelievably Sexy

Wow. Since this hearse is a 2016 model, is it possible that you could now afford to add one to your fleet today? It may be three years old, but it’s still SUPER sexy.

4. The Undertaker – Poem

This poem, written by Darlene Rush, originally appeared on Caleb Wilde’s amazing blog. Change “he” to “she” or “they” and every word still rings true.

3. If You Ever See A Coin Placed On Someone’s Grave, Here’s What It Means

Have you ever wondered what a coin on a person’s gravestone represents? Read this story from 2016 to find out.

2. 6 Things Funeral Directors Are Dying To Tell You (But Never Will)

Krystal Penrose originally shared this story on the FuneralOne blog in December 2014, and we loved it so much we brought it to you in January 2015. Five years later, her insights are still valuable.

1. 8 Of The Most Amazing Eulogies Of All Time

And our winning story is another from FuneralOne’s Krystal Penrose! Her 2013 collection of eight amazing eulogies tops our list of most-read articles. The list includes celebrities eulogizing other celebrities and historical figures as well as a few from everyday, although extremely eloquent, people. 

Everyone at Connecting Directors would like to thank you for your continued support, and hope you’ll keep reading throughout the next decade!