White Smoke Rises From Funeral Home | FFFW 236

Hey y’all! I hope your has been amazing. For some of you, it probably has been, for others it may have been devastating, and for most of you, it was probably mid. Regardless, I’m glad you’re here right now, and we’ll end this week with a bang!

“The announcement that Facebook will delete live streams older than 30 days reveals a critical disconnect between platform policies and the reality of grief. Grief doesn’t follow a 30-day timeline. Our data shows 30% of funeral viewings happen after that 30-day window. For an average funeral home, that’s over 2,500 families annually who will seek comfort in a service recording only to find it gone. This should serve as a wake-up call for funeral professionals to invest in solutions where they maintain ownership and control of their content, rather than entrusting these precious memories to platforms with competing priorities.” – Shane White, CTO of MemoryShare

MemoryShare is here to help.

Funeral homes affected by these changes can schedule a call with MemoryShare to receive 3 months of unlimited streaming and recording. Their team will handle all training, transfer your existing videos, and provide a complimentary 20-minute training session for your staff. MemoryShare is committed to funeral homes and ensuring a smooth transition with zero disruption for the families you serve.

Call 469-983-4832 to learn more and meet with a MemoryShare professional who will guide you through the process. Mention Disrupt/Connecting Directors to claim a bonus gift!

“Crematory Smoke Causes Confusion—Community Mistakes Routine Cremation for Historic Announcement”

SPRINGFIELD, MO — A routine cremation turned into minor hysteria this week when a puff of white smoke billowed from Heritage Hills Funeral Home, prompting several bystanders to assume something… papal was happening.

“I saw the smoke and thought, ‘Well, we finally have a new Pope of Springfield,’” said Carl Jenkins, who had been waiting for his DoorDash order next door.

The smoke, of course, came from the funeral home’s retort, where technicians confirmed that nothing spiritual was occurring—unless you count efficient cremation scheduling.

“It was Mrs. Tillman,” said crematory manager Tara Reece. “She specifically requested early morning—she liked to get things done before lunch.”To avoid future mix-ups, the staff is now considering installing a blinking LED sign that reads:
“Not a conclave. Just cremation.”

Trivia

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

Which comic book editor had his ashes mixed into the ink used to print a trade paperback edition of his work?

Answer Choices:
A. Stan Lee
B. Mark Gruenwald
C. Jack Kirby

You Otter Be Proud

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

1.  Unique Program Recycles Pacemakers Retrieved from the Deceased
2. People Magazine Covers Funeral Profession Story
3. Fifth-generation funeral director Jeff Monreal helps families grieve, celebrate loved ones

Jacqueline (Jackie) White, 80, a beloved wife, mother, and grandma, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. Born in Buffalo, New York, Jackie loved to cook and bake for all of her family at every opportunity. Jackie was a resilient and brave woman with a generous heart who enjoyed spending time with her “girls” and four grandsons (the “boys”). She will be missed dearly by all who knew her. Jackie is survived by her daughter, Brenda Ann; her husband, Russ; her daughter, Pamela Jean; and her husband, Tony; her daughter, Lora Lyn; her daughter, Caroline Elizabeth; and her wife, Traci Jeanne. Jackie also leaves her beloved grandsons, Ryan Jack and his wife, Siobhan (Moe); Jakob (Jakie) Lyle; William (Billy) Michael; and Keyden Jack; her sister, Delsie Hoopes; her sister, Ellie Brennan; her brother, Wayne (Diane) Kless and several nieces and nephews. Jackie is preceded in death by her loving husband, Jack Roderick White; her parents, Nellie Stotz and John Kless; and her brother, William Kless. At Jackie’s request, a celebration of life will be held at a later date and time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in Jackie’s name to Roswell Park Comprehensive Care Center of Buffalo, New York.