About the Author of the Funeral Director Blogs

I live in Norwich with my wife and two teenage children.  I am a retired police officer after more than 20 years of service to the City of Norwich. 

I looked at policing as a service to people of my community where I was born and raised.  Likewise, I look at funeral directing as a service to people however, with a more focused concentration on a specific difficulty in someone’s life where I feel I can help. 

That is, the death of a loved one and helping to guide those people down a path they’d rather not have to travel. 

My goal?  To bring them to a destination that is as good as it can possibly be at the end of the services. I don’t believe in “cookie cutter” services. Each funeral, whether it’s considered to be traditional burial, cremation or a combination of the two, should be as unique as the life lived. 

No two people are exactly alike and no two funerals should be exactly alike either (unless it is the family’s request as that trumps everything else). 

I am honored to work for a group of funeral homes that has a myriad of services to offer, and allows me the leeway to help create a fitting event to celebrate that unique life.  My motto when arranging a funeral is, “If it’s not illegal, immoral or unethical, I’m on board. Let’s do it!”

I have to say I treat this career more like a ministry than a “job.” The satisfaction I get at the end of each day is indescribable.  To me it’s better than a paycheck (don’t tell my boss).  

Some have found that statement, well…. a little weird.  While I am removed from the life-long attachment that the surviving family has from their deceased loved one, I can focus on the event of the celebration of life without being clouded with the waves of emotion that affect the families I serve.  Yes, I still have feelings.  I’ve cried with some families, laughed with others but I’m always focused on the memory picture being its best.  Much like the saying, “You never get a second chance to make a good first impression”, there is only one funeral for each person.

I will write about the profession, service types, various products and services we offer, resources and more.

So my goal writing these articles it to help keep people informed and current while they’re thinking clearly before having to deal with a loss.  Then, maybe something I wrote about will click when it needs to and help you through that difficult time.

Here’s my disclaimer:  The views and opinions expressed in my blogs are that of the individual author and may not necessarily be the same as or a representation of views or opinions of the company I work for.  As much information as possible is gathered from reliable sources, some from experience, some from my personal opinion. I will attempt to provide the most current fact-based information possible however each reader should confirm information by any means possible before the need arises.  I will attempt to answer all questions sent to me however, if the response would be of a personal nature or possibly too graphic to be put up in this format, I would ask that you contact me at Mark.Kalinowski@Dignitymemorial.com