by Jessica Koth, NFDA Director of Public Relations

A Harper’s Magazine feature is giving readers an uncommon glimpse into one of funeral service’s most specialized and meaningful disciplines: restorative art.

“A Dying Art: The Last of the Morticians” takes readers inside the inaugural Restorative Art Technical Showcase at the 2025 NFDA International Convention & Expo and introduces them to the funeral professionals whose skill, artistry and compassion help families say goodbye after traumatic loss.

Some of you may understandably take issue with some aspects of the article – I certainly did. At times, the writer relies on flippant or sensational language to describe work that is performed with great care and reverence. The article also presents several unusual or anecdotal situations, such as an employer imposing a 30-minute limit on restoration, funeral directors encouraging cremation during the COVID-19 pandemic and families delaying funerals for vacations, in ways that may leave readers with an overly broad or inaccurate impression of the profession.

Even so, the author’s perspective evolves as he spends time with restorative artists and observes their work firsthand. By the article’s conclusion, he recognizes restorative art not as an exercise in disguising death, but as a meaningful way to restore dignity, help families recognize someone they love and create an opportunity for a final goodbye.

The article also explores the future of restorative art at a time when cremation rates continue to rise and fewer funeral professionals have opportunities to develop advanced restoration skills. It serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving this expertise so families continue to have meaningful choices in how they honor their loved ones.

Stories like this help introduce consumers to the care, skill and compassion that take place behind the scenes in funeral homes every day. While you may not agree with every observation or conclusion, the article ultimately presents funeral professionals as dedicated individuals committed to serving families with dignity and respect.

Take a few minutes to read the story, then consider sharing it on your funeral home’s social media channels or in your newsletter, along with your own thoughts on why restorative care continues to matter.

Read “A Dying Art: The Last of the Morticians” in Harper’s Magazine.