Excellence in funeral service isn’t seasonal or something you do only when you’re calm and rested. It’s a daily choice, especially on the days that test you the most.
At Funeral Directors Life, we understand that caring for families is the most important thing you do. That’s why we’re excited to share a few lessons we learned during our annual end-of-year gathering, in hopes that it’ll help you continue to be a thoughtful, caring funeral professional.
Our company was encouraged to Rise Above, a message grounded in Philippians 4:13. We were reminded that strong cultures and lasting businesses are built one small, consistent action at a time, and the same is true for funeral homes.
Led by renowned guest speakers Aaron Watson, an independent, West Texas chart-topping country music artist, and John O’Leary, a best-selling author and award-winning podcast host, we were blessed to hear lessons that can help all of us become better people throughout the year.
“We are a precious gift called to rise above and say yes to life,” John said. “Let ‘thank you’ be our prayer today and always.”
Here are 7 powerful lessons you can adopt in your funeral home, with your staff, and within yourself.
1. Small, unseen things are sacred
Aaron shared how his father, a disabled veteran and custodian, chose to show gratitude in all parts of his life. Even in his choice to make the toilets he cleaned “the cleanest toilets in town.”
His determination to take pride in being humble shaped Aaron’s conviction that one's reputation is built on the small things.
“From the way you write your name to the way you complete a task, no one will praise you, but everyone will feel the power of your reputation,” Aaron said.
As an experienced funeral professional, you know excellence is built in the small details: a spotless chapel, accurate paperwork, and a warm greeting for every family. Treating everyday tasks as sacred is a strategic choice to improve your level of service to your community.
When you consistently elevate the ordinary, you demonstrate to the world that your funeral home operates with integrity. Over time, that integrity turns into trust.
As you go about your everyday responsibilities, ask yourself this: “Would I proudly put my name on this?” If the answer is no, improve it. If yes, do it that way every time.
2. Every family deserves your “sold‑out” show
Whether the venue was packed or had just a few people, Aaron told us that he approaches every one of his concerts with the same fire and energy.
“You’ve got to give them the same show, no matter what,” Aaron said. “Having a sincere stage presence from one show to the next is so important because the audience deserves to feel seen.”
Your funeral home has its own version of a stage: arrangement rooms, chapels, graveside services, and receptions, just to name a few. These stages are where your care and service for families truly shine.
And while the attendance of each may vary, the grief of families remains the same.
Families deserve consistent dignity and attentiveness regardless of the number of mourners. Your presence can make all the difference to a family in need and help them find a moment to relax.
3. Gratitude and stillness are funeral home advantages
John invited us to rise above the impossible, the darkness, the noise, and fear, rooting each in Scripture (Matthew 19:26, Isaiah 9:2, Psalm 46:10, Joshua 1:9).
His message was powerful, specifically, his story of how one little boy’s fight for life and sense of hope was restored – all because he knew his younger siblings were there with him in the hospital, cheering for him to come back home.
“I want you all to imagine places in your life where you can show up as light and hope for someone else,” John said. “So many times, we think we can’t help someone unless we have the right speech, the right job title, the right wealth or status. But all we really need is the right heart.”
In funeral homes, cultivating gratitude and stillness can provide an operational advantage. Gratitude softens the room. Stillness sharpens judgment.
A minute of silence before a service doesn’t delay the schedule. It fosters the conditions for better decisions and more considerate interactions. A team huddle that begins with one “what a gift” observation doesn’t slow productivity. It centers people who must navigate dozens of details under pressure.
4. Protect your compassion with mind–body–soul habits
Caring for your mind and soul is crucial for funeral professionals. But you can’t overlook caring for your physical body, too.
We opened our end-of-year event with a group exercise that showed us how strength grows through one small choice at a time. For funeral home staff, combating compassion fatigue is a real challenge. Your work is tender and exacting. And without micro-habits like focused breathing, stretching, hydration, and brief reflection, your empathy can erode, leaving room for errors to occur.
Set your team up for sustainable care. A 10-minute reset between services, where you can all walk, stretch, drink water, breathe deeply, can be the difference between hurried kindness and a grounded presence.
Remember, these little moments shouldn’t be seen as luxuries you don’t have time for. They should be viewed as daily maintenance you give yourself for a craft that demands your whole mind, body, and soul.
5. Let adversity and feedback fuel your craft
Did you know that Baseball Hall-of-Fame hitters fail about 70% of the time? Even though the odds are stacked against them, a great baseball player doesn’t worry about the risk of failure.
And neither can we.
Aaron explained how important it is for all of us to refuse to let our yesterdays define our todays.
“That mentality's always helped me with my music and my life,” Aaron said. “Whether you have a good day or a bad day, you have to remember that it's not about that one game. It's about the season. It’s about picking things up next month and moving forward.”
John added that we can’t adopt a victim mindset. We must think of ourselves as victors, continuing to grow with courage and curiosity, and to rise above assumptions and limitations.
“If you want to be a victim, have at it. No one is going to blame you,” John said. “Or you can be a victor, and people will be amazed at what you accomplish.”
In your funeral home, you have the power to turn setbacks and mistakes into powerful teaching moments that define who you are. A service that doesn’t go perfectly or a family that didn’t care for your level of care doesn’t define your funeral home. What defines you is the cadence of your learning.
6. Choose integrity over imitation
Aaron said it plainly: “I could’ve signed with a record label and had them dress me and tell me what to sing. But I’d rather play for a coffee shop singing my own songs than a sold‑out theater singing someone else’s.”
The lesson isn’t anti‑collaboration; it’s pro‑authenticity.
In funeral service, families want transparent guidance and care that aligns with your values. Not the latest industry imitation.
Audit the way you speak about options. Be clear about why you recommend certain choices and your valuable justification behind those choices. And above all, dedicate yourself to teaching families about the benefits of a healing and meaningful service.
When you own your voice, price, and process, families feel steadied. They know where you stand and how you’ll stand with them.
7. Let mentors and community sharpen you
Aaron and John both credited their mentors and tough critics for helping to sharpen their crafts.
Great funeral homes do something similar. They utilize all the positive and negative feedback they receive to become the best choice for a family in need.
This can look like pairing funeral directors and administrators together for peer coaching, inviting external advisors (compliance, accounting, grief resources) for regular teaching sessions, and celebrating small wins so everyone can see what “good” looks like.
You don’t have to build every skill alone. In fact, you shouldn’t. The work is too important, and blind spots can happen. Let the help of your community refine you without diminishing you.
Be the light. Build the standard in your funeral home.
Rising above is a great theme for your funeral home to focus on all year long. By doing so, your integrity, courage, curiosity, and generosity remain at the forefront of your mind and decisions and become operating choices.
In funeral service, those choices grow into stronger teams, better‑served families, and uplifted communities.
As Aaron put it, “Someone else’s words can fuel your fire or put it out. It’s up to you.”
For more tips on how to grow your care and workplace culture, click here!