Funeral director, Lawrence H. Woodward, shares the emotional toll of handling violent crime victim funerals. Exploring the challenges of reconstructing bodies, providing closure, and dispelling misconceptions about the funeral industry. Reflects on the significance of black-owned funeral homes in preserving African American heritage.
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Quick takeaways
Funeral directors face mental toll from handling victims of violent crimes
Funeral homes preserve African American history through maintaining records
Deep dives
Growing Up in a Funeral Home Environment
Kendall Lindsay shares her experiences as a funeral director in a family-owned funeral home in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. Growing up surrounded by the funeral business, Kendall's childhood was spent in the funeral home, where playing hide and seek among caskets was a common pastime. She reflects on the unique challenges and responsibilities of being a funeral director's kid, including being picked up from school in a hearse, showcasing how death and funerals were an integral part of her daily life.
Handling Bodies and the Embalming Process
Kendall Lindsay discusses the process of handling deceased bodies and the embalming procedures in the funeral home. She explains the steps involved after a person passes away, emphasizing the importance of calling 911 first and involving the authorities. Kendall shares her experience with embalming, highlighting the physical and mental aspects of the process, including the challenges of dressing and preparing bodies for viewing in the casket.
Dealing with Victims of Violent Crimes
Kendall Lindsay and her family provide funeral services for victims of violent crimes, including shootings. She reflects on the emotional toll of working with families who have lost loved ones to violent acts, emphasizing the significance of showing care, respect, and dignity to the deceased. Kendall highlights the mental and physical challenges faced in reconstructing bodies affected by violence, aiming to help families find closure and remember their loved ones with dignity.
Preserving African American History and Legacy
The Lawrence H. Woodward Funeral Home, a Black-owned family business, plays a crucial role in preserving African American history and heritage through maintaining records and obituaries. Kendall Lindsay underscores the importance of keeping records for African American families, highlighting how funeral homes serve as guardians of historical information. The family's dedication to sharing and honoring Black history extends beyond funeral services, as they distribute an annual African American history calendar to educate the community about significant figures and events.
The Lawrence H. Woodward funeral home in Brooklyn has been run by one family for generations, and has handled many funerals for victims of violent crime.
When we visited, one funeral director told us, “I don’t think people understand when you’re dealing with a victim who’s been shot – we see these things. It’s a mental toll on the person that has to now look at this gunshot victim and put them back together.”
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