Things I think about at 10:03 PM on a Sunday.
by littlemissfuneral
A profession or a calling?
I was doing laundry when all of a sudden this question popped into my mind.
I am a funeral director, and often I hear that this is not a job, but a lifestyle, since I don’t typically work the average 9-5 (and by typically, I mean never) but is what I do day to day, a calling?
A strong urge toward a particular way of life or career; a vocation. When I google the definition of calling, that’s what comes up.
A strong feeling of suitability for a particular career or occupation. When I google the definition of vocation, that’s what comes up.
But I’m not sure. I love what I do and I’ve wanted to be a funeral director since I was very young, but when I think back to what drove me into this field, I don’t think of a calling per say, I think of my grandfather. I think of his death and funeral. I think of wanting to help people. And I think of how I’d feel if I just walked away from it all.
I don’t know if what I do can be defined as more than just a job. But I know that what I do is definitely stamped upon my heart.
little miss funeral
I believe it is a calling. I have had this strong urge or vocation to this career. Everything in my life, all that i enjoy, all my talents are summed up by the title funeral director. I feel it is my calling, to service. The pride I felt when I recently assisted with my third embalming (I am a student), told me I had figured out my vocation correctly. This career requires a certain type of person. All vocations do. Think about it. Priest, nun, pastor, nurse, doctor, these types of callings require extraordinary individuals. We are that type of person.
I think you’re selling your ‘calling’ short. Just a brief recap of what you mentioned in your post:
– You love what you do
– You’ve wanted to do it since you were a child
– Your primary focus is to use your skills and training to help people
– You’d hate to give it up (at least that is how I interpreted what you said)
I can only assume that you don’t see your professional life as a simply a set of tasks that are exchanged for payment. For example, I can’t imagine that you think, “OK, that arrangement conference is done, that means I just earned $XX dollars.”
Looking at what I’ve typed above, if that isn’t a calling then I don’t know what a calling is. You don’t mention viewing it this way, but I think we often unnecessarily restrict the term “calling” for religious work. As in, “people are called to be ministers, clergy, rabbis, missionaries, etc.” But I think funeral directors can certainly be “called” to their profession. (Just as I think teachers, counselors, and even accountants can be called to their profession). Just my $.02.
Vocation, calling, job, profession, trade, way of life . . . synonyms for having funeral director stamped on your heart. One of the few tattoos that are acceptable in funeral service.
I was waiting for you comment! Always one of my favorites. Thank you for your support, always.
You are wonderful.