Patrick E. Lynch owns and operates Lynch & Sons Funeral Directors in Clawson, Michigan, one of seven Lynch family owned firms in the suburban Detroit area. He is a second generation funeral director and a 1972 graduate of Wayne State University Department of Mortuary Science where he served as class president.

An active member of his state and national associations, his presidency of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association was marked by the passage of landmark consumer protection legislation and a series of regional interdisciplinary conferences called “The Good Death, Good Grief and Good Funerals.” These day-long symposia brought more than 1,600 clergy, hospice workers, funeral directors together in meetings around the state to discuss the continuum of care to the dying, the dead and the bereaved. Media interest in both the legislative and educational initiatives of MFDA cast a positive light on funerals and funeral directors in media markets around the state.

Before his election to the NFDA Executive Board, Pat has served on the Pursuit of Excellence Committee, the Communications Committee, the Public Relations Committee, the Continuing Education Committee, the Young Funeral Directors Committee, and the For A Life Worth Celebrating work group.

In 2006/2007, Pat worked closely with his brother, Thomas Lynch, and filmmakers Karen O'Connor and Miri Navasky in making PBS FRONTLINE's The Undertaking, a documentary which told the story of dying patients, grieving families and the work of funeral directors. Filmed at Lynch & Sons locations in Clawson and Milford, Michigan, it was broadcast nationwide in October 2007 to critical acclaim in the national press. In 2008, it won the Emmy Award for Best Arts and Culture Documentary. It is now used as an educational tool in seminaries, and medical, mortuary and general studies programs around the country.

Business Information

Lynch and Sons Funeral Directors
1368 North Crooks Rd.
Clawson, MI 48017
Phone: 248-435-0660
Fax: 248-435-3171
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.lynchfuneraldirectors.com

National Experience (NFDA)

• At-large Representative, Executive Board, 2005-2007
• Secretary, Executive Board, 2007-2008
• Executive Board Liaison, Communications Committee, 2005-2006
• Executive Board Liaison, Pursuit of Excellence Committee, 2005-2006
• Member, Operations Committee, 2005-Present
• Member, Spokesperson Team, 2005-Present
• Member, For A Life Worth Celebrating Work Group, 2003-2004
• Member, Consumer Campaign Work Group, 2002-2003
• Member, Pursuit of Excellence Committee, 2001-2005
• Member, Communications Committee, 2000-2005
• Member, Public Relations Committee, 2000-2001
• Member, Continuing Education Committee, 1985-1986
• Member, Young Funeral Directors Committee, 1974-1975
• Member, Heritage Club
• Golden Eagle Award Recipient, NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Program
• Participant, WWII Memorial Program
• Participant, PAC Phone-A-Thon, 2000-2005
• Participant, For A Life Worth Celebrating program

State Experience (Michigan Funeral Directors Association)

• President, Michigan Funeral Directors Association, 2003-2004
• President-Elect, Michigan Funeral Directors Association, 2002-2003
• Vice-President/Treasurer, Michigan Funeral Directors Association, 2001-2003
• Secretary, Michigan Funeral Directors Association, 2001-2002
• Chair, Consumer Protection Committee
• Chair, Member Services Committee
• Chair, Convention Committee
• Member, Public Information Committee
• Member, Vision 2000 Committee
• Member, Young Funeral Directors
• Member, Grievance and Ethics Committee
• Member, Membership Committee
• Member, Audit Committee
• Member, Professional Education Committee
• Member, Speakers Bureau

Professional Background

• Member, Michigan Embalmers Society
• Member, Funeral Ethics Association
• Member, Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice
• Regular contributor to publications including The Director and The American Funeral Director
• Regular speaker to high school groups, universities, medical groups, and mortuary groups
• Funeral home named Best Funeral Home by Detroit Magazine – 2002
• Certified as Funeral Service Provider – 2003
• Licensed as funeral director – 1972
• Graduate, Wayne State University, Dept. of Mortuary Science, Class President – 1972