I often describe what I do for work as “connecting circles.” Let me explain.

As the representative of a 142-year-old family-owned business, I can attest that our roots in the community run deep. Besides the tens of thousands of individuals who visit our facilities over a year’s time, I can say we have touched most every family in Indianapolis at some point. It might be through a funeral, family or school connection, work, or community service. Just recently I met a man who said, “I knew your Don and Sunny,” referring to my aunt and uncle from decades ago. He said it in such a familiar tone, almost as if he believed that I should know who he is. These interactions are what I call connecting circles.

Today, I had an extraordinary circle experience. While making my daily rounds I had the honor of watching a family gather around the casket which contained their patriarch. The service had ended, and they stood there, linking arms, for close to fifteen minutes. They were saying their final farewells before the casket lid was closed. They shared tears, but also laughter.

The tenderness of this experience of shared love is one I hope my family will share when I die. It was extremely touching, and I felt honored to be allowed to witness their loving togetherness.

As the family proceeded out, each greeted me with a smile and a thank you. As I turned to leave, our funeral director brought the widow back to meet me. I don’t expect to interact with family members at the conclusion of a service as this is a very private time for someone who is grieving. But this woman warmly held out her hand to say hello. She then began telling me about when her husband worked at a gas station next to our mortuary at Meridian Street and Fall Creek Boulevard. I asked her for the year. She said, “around 1952.” With a smile she said her husband would get left-over flowers from our mortuary and bring them home to her. Obviously, this was a special memory she wanted to share with me, almost 70 years later.

As she told me the story her daughter brought her a red rose from the spray on his casket. She said, “here mom, this one is from dad too.”

This connecting circles story will be a hard one to match. My profession grants me the privilege of being with a family when they are most vulnerable, but more importantly, when they are willing to show the most love.