Funeral Home Hires Gen Z Employee, Learns Obituaries Can Apparently Have a “Vibe” | FFFW #298
Happy Friday y’all! I hope you are having a great week and are ready for a great weekend! NFL is BACK and that’s got me feeling all sorts of good!
So, let’s hop in and get to it!
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Funeral Home Hires Gen Z Employee, Learns Obituaries Can Apparently Have a “Vibe”
CEDAR FALLS, IA — A local funeral home is adjusting to a bold new era of deathcare after hiring its first Gen Z employee and discovering that obituaries, apparently, can have “a vibe.”
The revelation came Tuesday morning when 23-year-old new hire Kaylee was asked to proofread an obituary before it was posted online.
After approximately 45 seconds, she reportedly looked up from her laptop and said, “I mean, grammatically it’s fine. But what vibe are we going for?”
Funeral director Gary Thompson, 58, who has been writing obituaries since they were faxed to newspapers, was unsure how to respond.
“I told her the vibe was that Gerald died,” Thompson said. “I thought that was pretty clear.”
It was not.
According to Kaylee, the obituary had “good information” but was giving “LinkedIn.” She recommended shortening the paragraph about Gerald’s 37-year career in commercial insurance and “bringing his personality forward.”
“He loved fishing, Willie Nelson and gas-station hot dogs,” Kaylee explained. “THAT’S Gerald. Lead with that.”
Within an hour, the funeral home had reportedly entered its first-ever intergenerational debate over whether the phrase “absolute legend” belonged in an obituary.
Things escalated when Kaylee suggested adding a photo carousel.
“What’s a carousel?” Thompson asked.
“Like multiple photos people can swipe through.”
“With their fingers?”
“Yes, Gary.”
Thompson then quietly walked into the prep room, where he remained for several minutes.
Despite the rocky start, staff members say Kaylee’s approach may actually be working. Gerald’s obituary quickly became the funeral home’s most-viewed post of the month, with dozens of community members commenting stories about him.
One comment simply read, “The gas station hot dog thing is 100% Gerald 😂.”
Thompson admitted the response had changed his perspective.
“I’ll give her this,” he said. “People are actually reading the whole obituary.”
Kaylee has since been given more responsibility over the funeral home’s online presence, although management reportedly stepped in after she attempted to describe an upcoming visitation as “lowkey gonna be beautiful.”
At press time, Thompson was seen staring suspiciously at a Canva account after Kaylee informed him the funeral home’s current memorial graphics were “giving 2014 Pinterest.”
“What does ‘giving’ mean?” Thompson asked.
No one had the heart to tell him.
ASK THE FUNERAL DUDE!
Funeral Dude! A family wants their loved one’s favorite song played at the service, but it is VERY inappropriate. What do I do? – DJ Undertaker
DJ Undertaker, there are some songs where you hear the first three seconds and immediately realize the visitation has taken a turn.
“Get Low” — Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz.
“Yeah!” — Usher.
“Low” — Flo Rida.
“Tipsy” — J-Kwon.
“Cyclone” — Baby Bash.
“Right Round” — Flo Rida.
“Temperature” — Sean Paul.
“Shake That” — Eminem.
“Party in the U.S.A.” — not inappropriate, but during a committal service it raises questions.
Look, if Grandpa’s final request was to be carried out of the chapel while Get Low plays, I’m not here to judge the man.
But I am going to confirm it with the family at least four times.
“So… Get Low?”
“Yes.”
“By Lil Jon?”
“Yes.”
“The uncensored version?”
“Yes.”
“While we’re moving the casket?”
“Yes.”
Alright.
Pallbearers, you heard the man. To the window.
Godspeed, DJ Undertaker.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
FFFW is all fun and games, but with today being 9/11, I wanted to share one serious thought.
Funeral professionals have a unique perspective on a day like September 11. Every day, you help people navigate the tension between celebrating a life and mourning a devastating loss. Today, as we remember the lives lost, the heroes who stepped forward, and the families forever changed, we’re reminded just how meaningful that work is.
Praise God for those who are willing to step into someone’s darkest days and help them remember, honor, grieve, and begin to heal.
Never forget.
