Jacob Hickey
English 110-H4
Professor Miller
Mapping Thoughts – Jessica Mitford
What are the questions/conceptual interests/inquiries present in Mitford’s essay?
In Mitford’s essay, “The Story of Service”, she questions whether the funeral and embalming industries are ones that should be trusted by the public. She provides examples of a number of areas within the embalming process of which the industry does not want people to know. She expresses her own personal displeasure of the industry, revealing that the people associated with the business have a certain arrogance. She points out that the public is paying too much for services they are not necessarily receiving. She gives examples of this, highlighting that the funeral service, “lasts no more than twenty-five minutes” (Mitford 42). According to Mitford, the public is being taken advantage of by the industry, citing that these business owners who “only care about money” are “chucking” everything “under the heading of ‘service’” (42). Ultimately, Mitford wants the public to understand this and make sure they are paying appropriate pricing for their loved one’s funeral services. It is interesting to note that this industry is one dealing with people at some of their most vulnerable times; after they lose someone dear to them. It is human nature to want to give our loved ones the best we can, even in death, though cost must be a consideration, as well. This is a tricky and often difficult situation because how can a funeral professional be considerate while trying to make money off of people’s heartache and loss? Mitford is so adamantly against the funeral industry that she exclaims, “I decided that I could never face another American funeral-even dead” (50). Ultimately, it is in the hands of the people to decide whether or not they shall conduct business with the funeral industry. However, if one decides that they shall, Mitford cautions against overpaying for things and trusting the business. While it is interesting to have light shed on something not often given much thought or discussion, it is likely the funeral industry will continue to be a lucrative one due to current societal and cultural norms and customs.
Below, list claims/positions/arguments Mitford makes in her essay. Provide a quote/page number where the claim is stated. Then decide whether you, A=agree, D=disagree, C=it’s complicated, and explain why.
Mitford Claim: The embalming and funeral industry takes advantage of people by overpricing their services and hours of work. Mitford describes this saying, “In general, the funeral salesman is inclined to chuck in everything he does under the heading of ‘service’” (Mitford 42).
A/D/C
I would agree with Mitford on this claim. In reading her points about the industry’s taking advantage of people, it does seem as though these business people, in wanting more money can easily lie about their hours because no one will really know how many hours they actually worked. However, it does seem rather inflated to say they worked “two forty-hour weeks to complete a funeral service” (Mitford 42).
Mitford Claim: The purpose of embalming is to make the corpse presentable. Mitford highlights that the main reason for embalming is the make the corps look “undead” if you will. She writes, “the purpose of embalming is to make the corpse presentable for viewing in a suitably costly container” (43).
A/D/C
I would agree with Mitford, partially. In my opinion, I feel as though the purpose of embalming is to not just make the corpse presentable. It is also something that has been in our culture for hundreds of years. We, as a culture, do this without giving it as much thought as another culture who may not do this. People embalm not only to make the corpse seem “undead”, but also because our ancestors did this to preserve the body, and we are all subject to routine and passing down things we have done for generations.
Mitford Claim: Towards the end of the essay Mitford loudly gives her opinion on funeral services exclaiming, “Then and there I decided that I could never face another American funeral-even dead” (50). She is clearly upset by everything she has learned about the industry and the way, she feels, they take advantage of vulnerable people.
A/D/C
I would disagree with Mitford in this claim. In the years ahead, I will unfortunately have to go to funeral services. It is part of life. However, I will continue to honor people in their death, instead of protesting against the funeral service industry by not going. In my opinion, it would be disrespectful to not go to someone’s service.
Mitford Claim: Mitford claims that if the public actually knew what went on during the embalming process, people would not want to pay for this and then the funeral services business would hurt, in terms of money. Mitford writes, “A close look at what actually does take place may explain in large measure the undertaker’s intractable reticence concerning a procedure that has become his major raison d’etre” (45). She continues to show that this industry hides most of the information to protect their work and money.
A/D/C
I would agree with Mitford in this claim. The funeral industry obviously wants to keep the details of the embalming process out of the minds of the public so they can continue to overcharge for services. If people knew the actual steps to the embalming process and preparing the body for a funeral, they would realize they’re being overcharged.
