It was mid-afternoon in the blazing summer sun, and the funeral had just concluded. The family slowly dwindled; and only those working at the event remained to ensure that the deceased was lowered safely into the ground. And so, I stood there, watching the casket sit comfortably, covered in an array of lush flowers. Sun snuck in through the trees before brushing against the wood, and the image captured me.

Growing up, I had always associated death with the cold. I never considered a warm sun on a quiet afternoon, all before being gently lowered into the earth. The panic that comes with imagining a final send-off is a common feeling. Yet, as I watched that casket lower, I instead was met with an unfamiliar peace that changed my perspective entirely.

In my time working at O’Donnell, I’ve discovered that peace is a process; one that is greatly aided by the work that funeral directors provide. Having to plan a memorial after a life-altering event is not something anyone wants to tackle alone. Consequently, the operation to lay a body to rest–and help a family heal–is a collection of moving parts.

My internship has shown me how important this unsung profession is. Every living thing has been blessed with a beginning; and the only certainty that comes from a beginning is a promise of an end. We all will encounter the death of a loved one, friend, or distant acquaintance. A final farewell in any form is so vital to celebrating a life in its entirety, something we’ve understood since the dawn of time through our natural funerary behavior.

300,000 years ago, the ancient human species, Homo Naledi, buried their dead. Before the first railroad, the first colonies, or even the invention of the wheel, we went out of our way to honor those who’ve passed on. So long as we continue to live and love, we will always have funerals and grief. But ultimately, the good, bad, and sad all serve as proof of a life well-lived— and a person well-loved.

www.odonnellfuneralservice.com

Since 1925, O'Donnell Cremations-Funerals-Celebrations has provided quality funeral services for families of the North Shore area. They have funeral homes in Salem, Massachusetts and Danvers, Massachusetts and are well-known for their beautifully renovated historic buildings. For more information, please visit odonnellfuneralservice.com.