Anthony O’Donnell, fourth-generation funeral director and owner of O’Donnell Cremations –
Funerals – Celebrations (Salem and Danvers), recently informed NFDA of several educational events that his firm held for community members.

One such event was a presentation on green burials to an environmental studies class at Salem State University. O’Donnell was invited by Lisa DiLisio, Ph.D., who – along with the Salem Cemetery Commission, of which O’Donnell is a 20-year member – was instrumental in helping Greenlawn Cemetery in Salem become a certified arboretum.

Also, the funeral home was invited to participate in Brooksby Village’s “Don’t Be Scared, Be Prepared” event to help families learn about the benefits of advance funeral planning. During the second part of this two-course event, a professional photographer took free portraits for families to use for obituaries in the future.

Finally, O’Donnell partnered with Care Dimensions, a local hospice, to host a Massachusetts-certified continuing-education event for nurses and social workers at the firm’s funeral home. This event resulted in great group discussions about the path that families walk before and after the death of a loved one and the similarities between the two professions.

O’Donnell said he enjoys “educating the public that funeral professionals are the true experts of [their] calling and business.” In addition, he welcomes the chance to create greater trust with all generations by “meeting the families and consumers where they are.” ODonnellFuneralService.com