There is a dark cloud that looms over the funeral industry as a whole and it’s not the cloud of death. It’s a cloud of uselessness, and untrustworthiness. Egregious acts of carelessness, mundane funeral services, business owners who set quotas to drive profits, and cold, methodical funeral directors have given the entire industry a black eye. It has relegated the funeral director from a position of care during an extremely important time, to the person who facilitates body disposal.

Statistics show that fewer and fewer Americans are having services when death invades their family. It has made me beckon the question…am I simply in the business of body disposal? Is this really why I am here? Is this all I am good for? As a pastor currently serving in the pulpit of a church in Hot Springs, I know the reason I started working in a funeral home. I know that the only reason I took a part time position at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home was because I had a burning desire to help people in any capacity I could find. Six years later, I am the Manager of the funeral home and have served hundreds of families. During this time, it has become abundantly clear that the funeral directors at Caruth-Hale are not in the body disposal business; we are in the healing business.

Death is an enemy, and when it strikes, it leaves a wound…a wound that needs to be healed. Now I’m not crazy enough to think that you’ll be healed by a funeral home, but I am fully aware that what we do, and what happens in our facility, is the first step of a very important process. Our staff is highly trained to give you the best first step possible.

When you walk into Caruth-Hale Funeral Home you are stepping into the care of a staff that genuinely cares. We are unique in the fact that our funeral directors came from outside of the funeral industry.  Our staff was handpicked from pulpits, make up counters, cable plants, and even business ownership.  Though we came from a broad spectrum of industries, we shared a heart of compassion that was ready and willing to serve.  This not only sets us apart from other funeral homes, but it has resulted in what we believe to be the greatest collection of funeral directors in the country.

So how can we best help you begin the healing process? I’ve wrestled with this question for years and I will probably wrestle with it for years to come as I believe the answer to this question will continue to evolve. My philosophy as the manager of this funeral home came to me out of the book of Leviticus. The people were admonished to bring their Willows and Palms before the Lord. Willows are symbolic of weeping and loss, and Palms symbolize victory and celebration. Our staff is equipped to help you bring both into the funeral experience.

The Willows are extremely important. It’s the part of funerals that people have been trying to cut out or avoid. It’s the part where we stop and recognize the loss. Let’s face it. You’ve lost a loved one. This is huge! Life will NEVER be the same…it just won’t. And we have to acknowledge that.

The Palms are equally important. At Caruth-Hale, we believe in the sanctity of life and we understand that life is worthy of honor and celebration. Your loved one made an impact in the world, and we want to help you celebrate that.

I’ve seen families walk in with Willows. And they were so distraught recognizing the death that they forgot to celebrate the life. I’ve seen families walk in with Palms. And they were so intent on celebrating the life that they forgot to recognize the death. Both are unhealthy.

The funeral is the end of a life, but it is the beginning of your healing. Let’s do it right. Let’s grieve, let’s celebrate, let’s laugh, and let’s cry. If you show up with Palms, we’ll help you bring the Willows. If you show up with Willows, we’ll help you bring the Palms.

– Andrew