Paying Tribute to the Funeral Directors Eleven Years After 9/11/01

THE FOLLOWING TRIBUTE WAS CUT FROM MY 9/11 NASSAU-SUFFOLK FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION PRESENTATION; DUE TO THE TIME CONSTRAINTS:

September 11th, 2001 yielded great tragedy for many of us, and the world heard our cries as we mourned monumental losses as a nation, who would never again be the same—because the war “came home”. Here in New York, tremendously intense agony and confusion filled our streets, as so many precious lives caught in the rubble were received by first-responders from the New York City Fire and Police Departments. The vivid images, echoed voices, and even the pungent odors rising from the ashes, will forever be woven into the fabric of our lives.

As I stand here before each of you today, I am reminded of another professional community of first-responders; more low-profile and oftentimes not recognized during the tributes that follow mass casualties. For many of you seated here today, you will remember all too vividly your call to assist in the recovery and intended dignity you are trained to offer communities mourning countless losses.

On 9/11, Funeral Directors knew, even before the official updates to transition into a recovery mission, that your assistance would be required to ultimately pick-up the pieces of our broken lives. Somehow, you would be responsible for the insurmountable tasks of identifying the scattered remains, and as efficiently as you were humanly able to manage, bring them home to their grieving masses for some form of dignified memorial rituals.

As formally educated and professionally experienced Funeral Directors, you know the genuine value and ultimate importance that the funeral ritual holds for grieving families, friends, colleagues, and neighbors. The cold reality of permanent loss marks the necessary lead-in to the grief and recovery process.