Southern Calls Issue 39 brings you stories from across the country with a brilliant, young Tennessee professional navigating career changes with ease; an historic and classically beautiful California funeral home and gardens that serves the Asian and Hispanic communities in unique ways; and a Missouri funeral director with an eye for cars and a heart given to serving through his enormously successful meeting group of professionals. And, as always, our Spring issue of Southern Calls is chocked full of exceptional photography and writing, with the amazing People, Places and Passions articles and so much more – you’ll read it cover to cover, again, and again! Don’t miss Southern Calls Issue 39, purchase a subscription today or pre-order your individual copy of this incredible issue today!

PEOPLE
Hannah I. Parsley | Gentry-Smith Funeral Home | Woodbury, Tennessee

Much of what we accomplish in our lives can be attributed to someone or something else. For some, choosing funeral service as their vocational ministry is passed down from generation to generation, while others stumble across this honorable career path. In my case, the latter was much closer to the truth. However, that doesn’t diminish my commitment to helping the next generation of funeral directors and embalmers move the profession forward while maintaining respect and dignity for timeless traditions.

PLACES
Cypress Lawn | Colma, California

Hamden Holmes Noble, a prominent citizen of San Francisco, businessman and financier, was riding in a carriage with a friend through Laurel Hill Cemetery, which was run-down, neglected and no longer a place of civic pride. His friend pointed out that a person would be doing the community a favor by creating a new, beautiful cemetery and that he might also make a little money.

Noble took the idea and moved forward. He regarded his lack of experience in the cemetery business as an advantage because he had no preconceptions about how he should build Cypress Lawn.

PASSIONS
Kenny Howe, CFSP | Holman-Howe Funeral Home | Lebanon, Missouri

As Howe told me the story of his professional journey, one thing was evident: rarely have I encountered a person so grateful for the wisdom imparted to them by others. Howe says, “I was always so appreciative that I had people who were willing to invest in me.”

Howe wanted to pay it forward. “I want to inspire everyone I can to reach for the stars. There was synergy in those dialogues,” Howe says of his time spent with his mentors. “I wanted to have connections with other people striving to be their best.” This led to the formation of the 20/20 Vision Study Group, an invited group of funeral directors who meet once a year to share ideas about the current challenges of funeral service and future improvements and opportunities.

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Southern Calls Issue 39