A Funeral Home and a Lawyer's Office

There are two places most people are unfamiliar with and hope not to visit: a funeral home and a lawyer's office. Like most, I was able to avoid both my entire life until one day my teenage daughter was in a car accident. I was quickly caught up in the apparatus of both a funeral home and a lawyers office with knowledge of neither. It was one of those sad life experiences that moves you from the daily routine of the happy picket fence existence to the harsher realities of life. Suddenly I was planning a funeral and looking to a lawyer for advice and direction. Neither experience was a good one.

It is difficult for most humans to provide comfort and concern when those among us suffer tragedies. Our difficulties are our own, and we must continue along our path alone, climbing over the obstacles, and pushing along in the moments with support by those few who have suffered before us. Most do not know what to say, so they say stupid things, or nothing at all.

You would think funeral directors could do better, but then the caricature of the black suit and solemn face are probably the only way they deal with death each day. As for lawyers, a certain warmth is often lacking, professional coldness allows them distance from involvement. Its just a job to many of them.

 They say that good things come out of the bad. I found that this experience led me to a different way of thinking, and to a new approach to life. My son Jeremy was also influenced greatly, and after watching his parents suffer and change over the death of his sister, went on to be who he is today. I changed careers and became a funeral director, while my husband found himself helping Jeremy lay out a new law practice. We all felt that truly helping people and providing that intimate support that gives comfort and support for whatever situation, was important. 

Yes, customer service, that is the key. It comes in all forms. When  you the customer faces the necessity of using the services of a funeral home or a lawyer, look for the warmth, the personal  attention, and the value you receive. Value is expressed as warmth, that quiet attention to every concern you have, and the assurances that you will be taken care of completely.  You should not sit in a waiting room wondering how long your wait will be, you should not wonder why you cannot talk to your lawyer on the phone, you should not wait endlessly for a phone call as to the status of your case. You should never feel frustrated, or wonder why on earth you went to see your lawyer in the first place. If your lawyer's office looks like a funeral home, inside and out, you should probably go elsewhere.

Come in and see Jeremy, no matter what your problem. He will greet you at the door and welcome you with the warmth that he wishes he could receive when faced with life's problems. He knows
that in the moment you have many questions, and he will resolve your situation to the best of his ability. Having suffered the death of his sister and his father, he knows the pain of living and the
importance of treating others as he wants to be treated. I have worked for him for more than fifteen years, part time and full time, and encourage everyone to come see a man who works  alone with great care for each person and the situation they find themselves in. Even the simplest of problems can leave us rattled,but you will feel confident that he will handle any unpleasant situation. I am proud to be the mother of such a fine man.

Sara Tanner​