When you think of the funeral business, it can seem dark and dreary, even creepy. There is, however, a sense of closure surrounding all those that are a part of it. From sharing stories of pastimes to singing their favorite song or seeing their favorite flower, our connection to a loved one is solidified, in a way, because of the services provided by funeral homes. And it’s not just grieving family members that recognize this important aspect; many famous, well-known individuals do too. Their experiences are drawn below.
Angelina Jolie
Now a famous actress, Angelina Jolie once considered a career in the funeral profession. Her introduction to the mortuary world was that of many others: a funeral of a loved one. “It sounds like this very strange, eccentric, dark thing to do, but in fact, I lost my grandfather and was very upset with his funeral,” she revealed in a 60-minute interview. “How somebody passes and how family deals with this passing and what death is should be addressed in a different way … I thought I could do better, so I got a home course when I was about 14. I did a mail-order degree.”
Andre Dawson
Andre Dawson retired in 1996 and was inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame in 2010. He has since invested some of his career earnings, time, and commitment into restoring a funeral home that was close to Dawson’s church and the neighborhood where he grew up. He understood the community’s reliance on mortuary services, so he took on the challenge and reopened the facility as Paradise Memorial Funeral Home. And although some folks in the neighborhood may be aware of Dawson’s fame, he prefers to work behind the scenes. He transports bodies, cleans the facility, and oversees preparations — even those of COVID patients.
And Many More
Marshall White, an American professional strongman athlete from Colorado, runs his own funeral home in Colorado. Before ever hitting the gym professionally, Marshall went to mortuary school so he could start his own funeral home.
William Banting, author of the first low-carb diet book, ran a family business, located on St. James’s Street in London, which was among the most eminent companies of funeral directors in all of Britain.
Danny Devito, at just 18 years old, was working as a hairstylist in his sister’s salon, which also included taking calls from local funeral homes and styling the hair of the deceased.
It may be surprising to learn of the connections these individuals have to the funeral industry, but, needless to say, funeral services are an integral part of our society. We come together and come closer to those we have lost; this is invaluable and important to all, whether you’re famous or not.