Getting Real with Death

Ernest Maxwell Congo III

Liberal Studies Senior Capstone Project Proposal

Community-Engaged Service-Learning

March 3rd, 2023

 The funeral industry is an essential but often overlooked industry that provides a critical
service to families during difficult times. However, despite its importance, there is a lack of
understanding of the motivations and experiences of those who work in this industry. As a
student pursuing a degree in liberal studies for the sake of going to mortuary school. I am
interesting in the thinking of funeral industry, and how they percieve life. I plan to get behind the
scenes and figure out the “why” in their lives. Therefore the aim of this research project is to
conduct interviews with individuals who work in the funeral industry and gain insights into their
motivations, experiences, and challenges.
Specifically, I will be exploring questions such as why individuals choose to work in this
industry, what their daily work involves, and how they navigate the emotional and social
challenges that come with the job.
To conduct this research, I plan to reach out to a local funeral home in the Wilmington
area called the Congo Funeral Home. I will conduct semi-structured interviews with individuals
who work in different roles within the industry, such as funeral directors, embalmers, and funeral
assistants. The interviews will be video-recorded/audio recorded with the participants' consent,
and later transcribed for analysis.
The findings of this research project will contribute to a better understanding of the
motivations and experiences of those who work in the funeral industry. The insights gained from
the interviews will also inform recommendations for improving the industry and supporting
those who work in it. For example, the findings may inform policies that address the emotional
toll of the job or lead to recommendations for improving working conditions.
In her book, The Funeral Director's Guide to Human Relations, Olson offers insights into
the customer service aspect of the funeral industry, which will be helpful in understanding the
challenges faced by those who work in the industry. Doughty's book, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,
offers a unique perspective on the industry as she shares her experiences working in a crematory.
Both of these sources will be valuable in understanding the motivations and experiences of those
who work in the funeral industry and contribute to the analysis of the interview data.
I hope through this project I myself will gain more insight on service workers in the
funeral business, as well as share that information with the world who is curious to indulge in it.
1. Olson, C. (2018). The Funeral Director's Guide to Human Relations: 20 Essential
Lessons for Customer Satisfaction. ABC-CLIO.
2. Doughty, C. (2014). Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory.
W.W. Norton & Company.