Best Memorial Slideshow Transitions | FFFW 249

Welcome to September! Last night, the first NFL game kicked off, so I think we’re good to declare that it’s officially fall. And fall is maybe the most exciting season. You know how I know fall is incredible? Because the only reason people DON’T like it is because “it’s just so short.” So, let’s enjoy it while we have it!

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Director Quietly Regrets Letting Teen Intern Control Slideshow Transitions

MILLBROOK, OH — What began as a touching life celebration quickly spiraled into a dizzying spectacle Friday after 17-year-old funeral home intern Kyle Benson was put in charge of slideshow transitions.

Eyewitnesses reported that the tribute video for beloved grandmother Shirley Watkins started innocently enough with the classic “fade to black,” but by the third photo the screen was already spinning like a slot machine in Las Vegas.

“It felt less like a memorial and more like a PowerPoint from a middle school science fair,” said funeral director Paula Knox, who admitted she regretted delegating the task. “Every time a new picture appeared, I braced myself. One minute we’re mourning Shirley, the next we’re all watching her wedding photo get launched into space with a ‘Star Wipe.’”

Family members tried to remain composed as solemn hymns clashed with jarring sound effects — including an audible “boing!” as Shirley’s portrait bounced onto the screen. “She was a vibrant woman,” said grandson Jeremy Watkins. “But I don’t think she wanted her high school photo revealed via flaming text explosion.”

Kyle, meanwhile, remained unapologetic. “I was just trying to keep it lit,” he said, adding that he had several unreleased effects — including a 3D flying pig GIF — queued up if the service had run longer.

Sources confirm the funeral home will be returning to “dignified crossfade only” policy effective immediately.

Trivia

Choose the correct answer and you’ll see a puppy. Get it wrong and you’ll see someone hurting themselves.

How many gallons of embalming fluid are used in the U.S. each year?

A) About the volume of an Olympic swimming pool
B) About the volume of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
C) About the volume of 10 backyard above-ground pools

You Otter Be Proud

Here’s some good news going on in the profession.

1. This Milford nonprofit helps families with high funeral costs
2. People Magazine Covers Funeral Profession Story
3. Fifth-generation funeral director Jeff Monreal helps families grieve, celebrate loved ones

Mel Payne has been listed as the co-founder, CEO, and Chairman of the Board at funeral home and cemetery operator Carriage Services since 1991.  In the company’s 2023 Year End Report which was made public on February 21 of this year, the company made note that Mr. Payne “has chosen to step down from his role as Executive Chairman of the Board and transition to a new role as special advisor to the Board of Directors.”

Melvin Payne
Carriage Services

Carriage Services also made this prepared remark in that report, “Mel, who served as Carriage’s only CEO and Chairman of the Board for the Company’s first 32 years, started with a vision in 1991 that was born out of a very personal and impactful experience he had following the loss of a loved one. He turned that experience and vision into a team of more than 2,700 employees and 200 businesses, all driven by a collective mission of serving families during the most challenging time of their lives.”

According to this 2023 article in Healthcare Outlook it was again mentioned that Payne’s own family tragedy, combined with an entrepreneurial spirit, was what inspired him to start a business in the funeral home and cemetery industry. In order to honor the memory of his nephew, Carriage Services was began in 1991.   “I experienced the incredible impact that the funeral profession could have on a family and an individual. Following my nephew’s service, I was so touched by the noble work of the team at the funeral home, that I was drawn to the profession,”  Payne stated.

According to information we could find on Yahoo Finance, Carriage Services went public as a company in 1996 and has remained as a public operating company since that time.

Funeral Director Daily take:  Somebody in the funeral services sector inspired Mr. Payne by their efforts during a family member’s services.  Funeral Directors should know that is not an uncommon occurence. . . . and a testimony to your collective worth to a society in need.

It happens every day in your profession, but many of you are so involved in doing that great work that you don’t notice those who are amazed by it. . . .To most of you, it’s simply what you do to help others in their time of need.  That is truly commendable.

From my point of view, Funeral Directors are some of the humblest and most caring individuals on this planet.  What many of you do every day, as simply part of your job and occupation, is not only appreciated but inspiring to many who are not involved in your compassion-driven occupation every day.

We appreciate Mr. Payne seeing that dedication and then having the resources and vision to try to duplicate what was done for him across the country.  Here’s to a well-earned retirement.

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“A servant’s attitude guided by Christ leads to a significant life”