Tara M. Scarponi-Danniballe, President
As each incoming President approaches September, we all think, “What am I going to write for my columns each month?” As I sit here completely exhausted from the day’s events at the funeral home, I would like to take a moment to introduce myself.
I am a second-generation funeral director, my father, Vincent Scarponi, has owned our funeral homes in Lebanon and High Bridge for close to 50 years. I grew up at the funeral homes. Everything surrounding funeral service has been engrained in my blood. Even as a young girl, I can remember countless nights waiting for my dad to finish a viewing so that I could go downstairs and help him take the cards off the flowers.
It wasn’t until I was older that I even realized that not everyone had caskets in their basement. It was just a part of our life, something that my parents never made seem like it was different from how other kids lived.
And that is just it. This is a way of life. The way we live is really unlike any other professional in any other business. Funeral service is a true profession, one that requires extreme discipline and skills that would baffle most people. This is much more than a “job.” It is a true calling.
We are all on call 24/7, helping families through the hardest and most trying times of their lives. We are thrown into family drama, sometimes needing to be the peacemaker and liaison. At times we need to reconstruct bodies, making a family’s lasting impression a peaceful memory. Anyone who is not in this profession has no idea what we really do. They think that when people pass, they lay perfectly straight with magic little “x’s” on their eyes.
As we all know there is so much more that goes on behind the scenes and work that goes into every call. We can have multiple services in a week with numerous religions and requests, making us wear many hats and shift gears constantly. True care, concern and compassion are always needed, making our “jobs” complex and draining.
I often say to my own family that my work is never done. Truly, it never is, but this is how we live our lives. Dedicating ourselves to the families that call us. Most of the time, putting the family’s needs and demands well above ourselves and our own family.
Everyone reading this knows and understands the commitment that we all make to ensure every family’s satisfaction. It is my hope that through our connection with the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association we can all continue to unite and lean on each other.
I look forward to seeing everyone this month at our Funeral Directors Convention and Expo! I anticipate all the exciting plans to be involved in this upcoming year. All the best and much success to everyone.