Such was the funeral I attended today of William Backman IV or 'Billy,' as he was affectionately known by his family and friends. I was amongst over 500 who attended one of the most personalized services I have been to in quite some time.

As we are all in the profession, let's just for a moment imagine the pressure on the attending funeral director of handling such a service:

• an accidental death,
• one of only two children in a tightly knit family,
• the son of a major industry supplier- Aurora Casket,
• a family member of the major company employer in small town Aurora, IN,
• funeral directors attending from across the country, local dignitaries,

all of this plus the personal relationship that the funeral director has with the Backman's and how he is considered almost, 'family.'

A heavy load indeed.

Yet from a single phone call placed by the father of Billy, saying only, "can you come- we need help," the funeral director dropped everything and came at once.

Without hesitation or reservation or regard to the season or his family or his other duties, he came. He counseled, he cried, he brought hope.

He fueled ideas for meaningful personalization for the service (from a full nature diorama at the front of the church to a funeral procession led by Billy's own truck and boat- he was an avid outdoorsman).

The funeral director was there for them. He answered their questions and their needs.

I witnessed his compassion at the church, and at the cemetery as he moved quietly but effectively at all necessary duties and details.

But that's his job right?

Perhaps, but this funeral director came from over 250 miles away. He came with no local area knowledge, no staff he knew, no admin- assistant, none of his own familiar funeral home resources- nothing. His only tools were his humanness and his experience as care giver.

He made our profession proud. He made me proud. He made you proud. He made the FSF proud.

His name, J. Mark Busch. An amazing man with an amazing talent.

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