I’m not a huge fan of the celebrity obituary.  They usually tell us very little that Entertainment Tonight, the Enquirer and other publications of even “dubious-er” reputations, haven’t already revealed as they painstakingly rip every shred of humanity away from the carcass of a living American celebrity.

So imagine my surprise when the article by music industry writer Bob Lefsetz refuses to distill Jackson’s history through the typical “he was born on _____ in ______ to parents _______ and _______” filter, instead focusing on the nature of his celebrity, how he went from a talented little boy to an adult oddity – or so it seemed to many of us – and our own complicity in the transformation.

His article starts with the sentence, “He missed his childhood and now he’s gonna miss his old age.”

It’s a fascinating description of his journey, an essay on the musical miracles he performed and the heights of stardom from which he eventually, some might say inevitably, fell.  BE WARNED – Bob’s second sentence contains a very harsh expletive, but it reinforces the first statement and leads into the story.  And while I think he could have done without the f-bomb, it reminds us that this is a raw essay by someone trying to figure out what Michael’s life – and now, his death – means to music and to music listeners.

Read his great article here.

Meet “Concha” Rodriguez, a Chicago funeral director who uses her teenage experience as a gang member and her current occupation to “scare straight” gangbangers in area schools.

Read the full interview and “600 words” story here.

Read the full story behind this photo at FREAK Shots.

The Harlem Renaissance Orchestra plays while mourners swing dance at the funeral of Frankie Manning:  video

59-page U.K. report, titled “Planning for Possible Influenza Pandemic: A Framework for Planners Preparing to Manage Deaths”, describes possible measures to deal with huge numbers of corpses from a major outbreak of swine or other type flu.  Story

Funeral director in Beckley, West Virginia deals with nearby residents who don’t want him to add a crematory to his funeral home.  Story

I didn’t get to attend the 2009 ICCFA Conference, but it’s going on right now, so here’s hoping some of our readers who did attend will share their thoughts.

Our friend and Funeral Futurist Robin Heppell presented What’s Your Strategy? A Hands-On Workshop earlier today.  Hope it went well, Rob!

I’m busy preparing my presentations for the June IFDF show and part of that preparation is a new article in their newsletter.

I haven’t seen it yet, but Jan Scheff with the Independent Funeral Directors of Florida tells me that I’m on the front cover with my headshot next to the article!

I’m also working on two stories about funeral homes and social media.  The first is completed and is being submitted to the Funeral Business Advisor for their June issue.

The other is going to American Funeral Director.

Look for me in print!

In an interview with Sporting News, former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden quotes a poem written by Sven Nader after hearing Wooden talk of “yonder”.

Obstensibly, the poem speaks of the afterlife, but for Wooden, the “yonder” of the last stanza refers to his wife, Nell, who died in 1985.  Still very much in love with the girl who enchanted him for 53 years, Wooden writes a letter to his bride every month.  The house looks the same as when she left:  her dressing gown is still stretched over her side of the bed, her lipstick on the vanity.

At 98, Wooden speaks in the interview of his intense longing to be with his wife.  

I wish it would happen how.  But I’m not going to try to hurry it… I’m thankful for so many things.  My children, my 13 great-grandchildren, all live within an hour or less, and I see them all regularly.

Within an hour or two, I can see the ocean, I can be in the mountains, I can be in the desert, I can be at Disneyland, I can be at an athletic event.  There are so many things.  I have been so blessed.  And out yonder, I’ll be with Nellie again.

Here’s the poem, by Sven Nader:

Once I was afraid of dying,
terrified of ever-lying,
petrified of leaving family, home and friends.

Thoughts of absence from my dear ones,
brought a melancholy tear once,
and a dredful fear of when life ends.

But those days are long behind me,
fear of leaving does not bind me,
and departure does not hold a single care.

Peace does comfort as I ponder,
a reunion in the yonder,
with my dearest one who is waiting for me there.

As a vendor selling to funeral homes, I’ve been very interested in seeing how current economic conditions will affect the liquidity of my clients and their willingness to buy our quilted cot covers.

Seems my friend Thomas Parmalee and the other editors at Kates-Boylston Publishing are having similar thoughts, and they’ve just published The Funeral Director’s Economic Survival Guide to give important advice during times of tighter cash flow and changed spending habits.

Here’s their press release:

WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J. — If you are a death-care professional worried about your bottom line in this worsening economy, then it’s time to pick up a copy of “The Funeral Director’s Economic Survival Guide: A Comprehensive Handbook on How to Cut Costs and Boost Revenue.”

Homesteaders Life Company, a leading provider of funeral insurance funding and support, is proud to be the exclusive sponsor of the book, published by Kates-Boylston Publications. “‘The Funeral Director’s Economic Survival Guide’ is an important and timeless resource for every funeral home owner, manager and associate,” said Dean Lambert, vice president of marketing for Homesteaders. “We are proud to share a leadership role with Kates-Boylston Publications in providing solutions and resources to help you grow in service to the families of your community.”

Inside, you’ll learn:

• How to cut costs during an economic crisis;
• Tips on buying and selling in a tough market;
• How taxation might change in the months ahead;
• How to make the most out of preneed;
• Marketing tips from an array of experts;
• And much more!

Thomas A. Parmalee, executive editor of Kates-Boylston Publications, noted that the Survival Guide includes 16 chapters and is almost 80 pages long. “In these tough economic times, it’s imperative that funeral service professionals run their businesses as efficiently as possible because that’s what their competitors are doing,” Parmalee said. “‘The Funeral Director’s Economic Survival Guide’ shows how firms can boost revenue in tough times while continuing to provide great service to families.”

The book is available for $75 by visiting www.katesboylston.com or by calling 800-500-4585. “Also, we are offering the guide for free to anyone who takes out at least a one-year subscription to Funeral Service Insider, which doles out business tips and the latest news to funeral service professionals every week,” according to Parmalee, who asked anyone interested in the special offer to e-mail him at tparmalee@katesboylston.com.

A century old insurer founded 1906 in Des Moines, Iowa, Homesteaders Life Company is focused solely on funeral insurance funding and support. It is associated with more than 3,000 funeral homes and 8,000 licensed agents across the United States.

Kates-Boylston Publications, based in Wall, N.J., is the publisher of American Funeral Director and American Cemetery magazines. The company also publishes American Blue Book of Funeral Service, a shipping directory; Funerals of the Famous, Funeral Service Insider and other publications that serve the funeral service industry. Visit www.katesboylston.com to learn more.

I’m taking a break from my Christmas gifts (got an iPhone!) to catch up on a new-to-me blog, called The Daily Undertaker.

The blog features thoughts on death by a funeral director.  I can’t quite tell who the blog is meant for (it has a different structure than a run-of-the-mill blog) but I like the voice of the writer.

Check it out!

I just read an interesting article on The Brooklyn Ink titled “Death on a Budget.”

The article explores the rising cost of burial space in Brooklyn and the increasing popularity of cremation among Brooklyn residents.

The article also touches on the effects of the economy on the funeral industry.

Interesting article:  http://www.inquisitr.com/11412/look-good-for-your-funeral-plastic-surgery-after-death-the-new-fashion-trend/