Article by: Jeff Harbeson, The Funeral Commander
I rarely call out funeral homes by name simply because they usually know who they are when I write particular content. However, the high and mighty at Lindquist Mortuaries in Ogden, Utah gets a special Funeral Commander shout out! Wendy Thoresen Green was interviewed by the Standard Examiner, a newspaper in Ogden, UT with title Meet ‘Funeral Lady,’ a Pleasant View woman who loves all things funeral-related. Linquist, WTF (What The Funeral) are you thinking by distancing yourself from talent within your own funeral home? Please read an excerpt from the article:
Today, Green sells funeral plans for a local mortuary. We say “local mortuary” because, frankly, her boss would prefer his company not be named in a piece about Green and her obsession. She’s been called “eccentric” and “definitely not mainstream” in an industry where eccentricity and deviation from that stream isn’t exactly the dignified image mortuaries are trying to project
Now you boys don’t get your starched underwear in a wad; the article was published and as usual, I’m just pointing out the obvious. See, we in the funeral industry are inquiring minds, we just want to know.
“Loves all things funeral related” seems to be a great headline, however this particular crowd doesn’t see it that way. Is passion and a calling into the funeral industry considered an “obsession?” Definition of Eccentric: (of a person or their behavior) unconventional and slightly strange. (“My favorite aunt is very eccentric.”) Maybe Wendy is not mainstream in Ogden Utah, but I shudder at the thought of what that definition may include in those parts of our country.
I have a question for the Lindquist’s Mortuary leaders: After looking at your website (with no social media links whatsoever) and seeing your staff, why are there no female funeral directors listed? Are women only relegated to pre-need sales and general staff… is that what you consider mainstream? Another question: Why you would be ashamed of someone like Wendy who projects a positive image for the funeral industry? Why wouldn’t Lindquist’s Mortuary proudly boast about such a devoted and dedicated employee? Certainly no retribution will come as a result of her sharing her heart to the community.
Ok, all you non-Neanderthals in the business, how about let’s show the value of women in our industry and teach something about social media to the “He-man Woman Haters Club” in Ogden! I implore you to comment, post, and share this story on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Unfortunately, it appears the “leaders” don’t know much about this interweb social thing. However, we can shed light on the darkness of their “mainstream.”
From the Command Post (West) and thick fog of cigar smoke along with being a bit pissed off about how backwards people try to push down achievers…Cheers Y’all! #thefuneralcommander
Love it!!!!!!! Stay pissed, we should all take note of your words in this article.
Really?! a business that turns down publicity? Good article as usual guys and an even better one from Wendy Green.
I think the quote given in the article was not accurate. No one other than Wendy was interviewed and as I work for Lindquist I can confidently attest that we love and support Wendy and all she does for us. She is currently working on becoming a funeral director and we are helping her achieve that. We have had female directors in the past and are always open to a female director and have been actively looking for one to round out our staff. Our last three interns have all been women. Also, you should be aware that the Standard Examiner has a critical bias to another Mortuary in town, often painting Lindquist in a less than desirable light. Please don’t jump to conclusions. Thanks!
Christopher, I am grateful for your response and certainly appreciate the information you shared.
it would be good to remove this article & write another, more accurate one, to take its place
Another note, we do have social media links on our website and they’re all on our obituaries tab where the clients we sought input from recommended they would be most helpful. Our website supports not only FB sharing of biographies and other information but a system where the community can leave private condolences for our clients. We regularly collect emails from our clients so we can forward those condolences and invite our families to like us and share our FB page as well as on other social media sites. We encourage respectful, unbiased reporting, and we don’t stoop to name-dropping, even when we’ve verified the pertinent facts. Thanks for all you do, though, to keep interesting discussions going in our community.
As a female funeral director I can testify that the ladies are constantly on an uphill climb in this business. Ladies, if you can find a funeral home staff and management that respectts you and your work cherish it. I could not.
I believe this article to be a prime example of taking something out of context and blowing it out of proportion. My name is Stephanie (female) and I did my internship at Lindquist Mortuary. I have felt nothing but acceptance and support from the staff and management during my experiences there. Since 2011 when I first walked through their doors to determine whether or not I wanted to be a funeral director they treated me as an equal and encouraged me to go to mortuary school. If you were to do proper research on this company and talk to other employees you would learn that these gentlemen are all for women coming into the industry. Sure, there is not currently a female funeral director but there has been in the past and there will be in the future.
Shame on you for saying these things about a company you know nothing about.
I would like to introduce myself as the female funeral director internist at Lindquist. I was first introduced to this distinguished mortuary as a child. The name has goodwill and reputation as being the finest mortuary in the state from not only being it’s oldest, but largest independent mortuary in Utah. While in school, I had the exciting opportunity to do my clinical work here, where I was introduced to some of the most noble, talented, and genuine people I have ever met. When I was offered an internship, which is the equivalent to an apprenticeship elsewhere, I excitedly jumped at the opportunity to work for the philanthropic and funeral industry leader in our state. This was a big deal to me because I am not Mormon, I am a woman, and I am clearly alternative looking with my numerous tattoos and notable gauges. As a woman who is interning directly under a Lindquist, I am amazed that a colleague such as yourself would so readily attack our firm as being misogynist and cynical of others. We aren’t “ashamed” of Wendy as you would want your readers to believe, or any of our colleagues; our diversity is evident. She demonstrates nothing but empathy and a real understanding to those needing attentive pre-need direction. She is devoted, dedicated, and eccentric, but we need to be with the industry that we are in. The tone of your blog is clearly defensive for your friend, and kudos in some regard for “standing up” for her. But the reality of this is that you took a fun little bit of journalism about Wendy as a person and perverted it into a full attack on Lindquist. I would like to finish saying that you referring to the associates and professionals at Lindquist as “boys” is demeaning to not only my preceptor, but to Wendy, my coworkers, our firm, and myself. They may not get their “starched underwear in a wad,” but this woman is disgusted with your presumptuous delusions of what our company represents to the industry and our community. It is unwarranted, unprofessional, and unacceptable. Shame on you.