It's no secret that these past few years have been mentally, emotionally, and physically difficult - especially for deathcare workers. As a funeral professional, you've supported your families in one of the most difficult eras we've ever seen, and with the highest volume of calls, you might have ever seen at your funeral home.
Even with the continuing effects of the pandemic, the new year may bring an opportunity for you and your staff to do some self-care and take care of yourselves, mentally and emotionally. We've listed a few ways you can prioritize health in the workplace below.
1. Provide emotional support outlets
As one of the most stressful industries, deathcare professionals need arguably more emotional support outlets than in most other areas. According to a Connecting Director's survey, 32.31% of deathcare professionals experienced emotional fatigue as a prevalent issue in the workplace.
Whether healing takes place in a group setting or one on one, cultivating a safe space for staff in the funeral home and providing them with mental health resources can be a great step in prioritizing and normalizing compassion fatigue.
2. Encourage self-care regimens
Every day, you and your staff work long hours with little to no breaks. Even with the nonstop schedule, it's important to evaluate areas where staff members can take some time to themselves and engage in whatever activities help them recover from the long hours.
Whether it's taking vacation time, or encouraging staff members to keep healthy daily habits, these small things can help staff in the long run and prevent burnout.
3. Professional development
With the fast-paced environment in the deathcare space, you may not have as much time to evaluate employee performance. Try and create an open space where employees can talk at any time about their responsibilities and pay. Having these conversations and keeping your staff on a path of upward mobility means achievement for them, and more fulfillment in the long run.