There is a certain kind of business I have always admired from a distance but never had the courage or passion to try. It is the business of running a funeral home or working in the mortuary services. I know it might sound strange to some people and even scary to others but the truth is that the funeral business is one of the most unique and respectable professions I have ever come across.
Growing up in Akwa Ibom State I used to see those big funeral homes with their shining hearses and staff dressed in clean black suits. They always looked professional and coordinated and I could not help but respect the way they handled something as sensitive and emotional as death. These are people who have to deal with crying families and lifeless bodies on a daily basis yet they show up every morning with calm faces and steady hearts.
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I remember there was this one time someone in our compound died and the family brought in a funeral service to handle everything. From dressing the body to organising the wake and burial the way they moved around made it clear they were trained and experienced. They were gentle with the family but firm with the arrangements. They helped the grieving family focus on healing while they took care of the logistics. I admired how they brought order into a painful situation. It takes a lot of inner strength and discipline to do that kind of work and still maintain your peace of mind.
Even though I admire the funeral business I do not see myself doing it. First of all I am someone who gets emotional easily. If I see people crying around me I might start crying too and that would not help anyone. Also the idea of being around dead bodies is not something I am comfortable with. I have never even entered a mortuary before and I do not think I have the mental strength to do so without freaking out.
Another reason why I might never try this business is because it requires a deep sense of calling. Some people go into it because they feel they were meant to do it not just because of the money. It is a business that deals with people at their weakest and most broken point so you need to have empathy patience and a strong sense of service. You are not just providing a service you are walking with people through their pain and that is not something you can fake. I have a lot of respect for those who do it well.
There is also the spiritual and cultural side to it especially in our part of the world. In Nigeria and particularly in Akwa Ibom many people have traditional beliefs about death and handling dead bodies. Some people believe that being around corpses brings bad luck or spiritual attacks. Whether those beliefs are true or not they can still affect how people see you if you work in that line. I have heard stories of people who were avoided in their communities because they worked in the mortuary. It is a business that comes with its own kind of social stigma even though it is very important to society.
Yet despite all these things the funeral business remains one of the most organised and steady businesses out there. People may not talk about it much but it brings in a lot of income. Some funeral homes offer premium services that cost millions of naira. They have packages that include caskets flowers transportation even catering and security. Some of them run like full event planning companies. In fact there are now funeral directors who study the business professionally and get international training. It is no longer just about burying people it is now about celebrating lives in a dignified way.
Sometimes I imagine what it would feel like to run a funeral home. Would I get used to the sight of bodies Would I learn how to detach emotionally without losing my humanity Would I find fulfilment in helping families say goodbye in a peaceful way Maybe yes maybe no. But for now it is a business I admire from a distance and appreciate deeply.
To me the funeral business is not just about death. It is about care service honour and responsibility. It is about being there when it matters most and doing it with excellence. Even though I may never try it I still salute everyone who does it with heart and professionalism. They may not wear white coats like doctors or stand in courtrooms like lawyers but they are just as important in the journey of life.
So if you ever see a hearse driving by or mortuary staff preparing for a burial do not just turn your face in fear. Respect them. They are doing a job that many of us cannot do and yet one that all of us may need one day. That to me is something worth admiring.