PBS Documentary “The Undertaking” Explores How Funeral Directors Care for the Living and the Dead

BINGHAMTON, NY (10/26/2007)(readMedia)-- “Families will be better prepared to cope with the loss of a loved one when they understand and appreciate the rituals of a funeral”, according to William J. McCormack, president of the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home in Binghamton. “A funeral provides survivors with important time to mourn and gather strength from friends and family.”

Mr. McCormack urges everyone to watch the “The Undertaking” which will be broadcast on WSKG-TV on Tuesday, October 30th. The documentary - part of the acclaimed PBS series Frontline - explores funerals as seen by Thomas Lynch, noted author and undertaker, whose family has cared for both the living and the dead in a small Michigan town for more than three generations.

It shows the care and compassion funeral directors provide for families who have lost a loved one. Thomas Lynch has said that the funeral service is so much more than mere formalities. In remembering and paying tribute to the deceased, as well as in providing extraordinary care and compassion for the survivors, Lynch sums it up in the following way: "A good funeral gets the dead where they need to go and the living where they need to be.” A preview and excerpts from “The Undertaking” can be viewed by going to the New York State Funeral Directors Association’s (NYSFDA) website at www.nysfda.org.

Founded in 1889, NYSFDA’s mission is to promote the highest standards of funeral service to the public and to enhance the environment in which its members operate. More than 800 member firms and 3000 licensed funeral directors who operate across the state belong to NYSFDA. In addition to maintaining a Website at www.nysfda.org, NYSFDA also publishes a quarterly newspaper column “Transitions” and brochures which educate and inform consumers about end-of-life issues. NYSFDA is the oldest state trade association of funeral directors in the country.

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Editor’s Note: For more information about “The Undertaking” visit www.nysfda.org and click on “For the Media”. To schedule an interview with William McCormack, please call Vera Nuspliger at 518-882-9816, Randy McCullough at 518-452-8230 or Mr. McCormack at 722-6923.

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