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President's Letter:
Paul Elvig
Paul M. Elvig, ICCFA president for 2007-2008
Now, that's personal
Tatting, horseshoes, macramé, pitching gloves-just what do these have to do with funerals? For that matter, how about horseshoe pits and crocheted blankets? Those items provided the centerpieces for my parents' funerals. At a time when the focus tends to be on loss, such personalization draws attention to the unique person whose life is being remembered.
With the help of imaginative members of our funeral home's staff, we were able to personalize mom's funeral folder, obituary and casket presentation. Mom's subtle and light humor was integrated into the printed materials and used in her obituary. We were able to capture more of Mom's personality than any officiant could be asked to do. For instance, using one of Mom's favorite expressions, we stated in the obit, "Even though Margaret's favorite expression was 'sayin' so don't make it so,' we will be having her funeral this coming Saturday."
Once when Mom was performing her civic duty, an attorney objected to her fast-moving needles in the jury box. Asked what she was doing, her response to the bench was, "I think better when knitting." "Keep on knitting," the superior court judge told her. Knitting, macramé and crocheting provided much of the theme for Mom's services last fall.
At her funeral, delicate tatting was on hand. A photo of a special cross she tatted was superimposed on the funeral folder by Evergreen-Washelli personalization specialist Shannon Smith. Shannon's work allowed all to see the depth of detail found in a nearly lost art form.
It was suggested we drape mom's hardwood casket with a comforter-sized, bright multi-colored crocheted work she had completed several years earlier. This décor was picked up by the florist, who matched the piece color for color in a trailing casket spray that spoke to personalization in a powerful way.
Dad was president of the Washington State Horseshoe Association and competed in national horseshoe pitching contests. He lived for "barn-yard golf," spending hours each day practicing, rain or shine. Creative funeral staff suggested setting up a regulation-size horseshoe pit right inside the funeral home to go along with other horseshoe paraphernalia. Dad's league and tournament jackets graced the chapel, and the tools of the sport, including pickup hooks and special pitching gloves, were there for all to examine.
Only Dad was not present. In keeping with his prearranged preferences, we had buried him minutes before the service. The personalization of Dad's funeral, which took place 10 years ago this month, lingers in the memories of surviving friends and family. Whose idea was it? That of a funeral director who loved to personalize funerals.
These are the types of services that cause attendees to say, "Now that's the kind of funeral I want."
The ICCFA gives annual awards to individuals and organizations that produce special personalization, the kind that will never be forgotten. Each year, as we did this year in Las Vegas, we honor the winners during our awards program. Take the time to search the pages of this issue for examples of the kind of personalization that is truly "award winning"!
Paul Elvig
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