DeepSummary
Kendall Lindsey is a funeral director at the Lawrence H. Woodward Funeral Home in Bedstuy, Brooklyn, which has been run by her family for generations. She describes growing up around the funeral home and the experience of dealing with victims of violent crime, including having to prepare bodies that have been severely damaged.
Lindsey and her colleagues discuss the emotional toll of working with gunshot victims and trying to restore their appearances so families can have a dignified viewing. They express a wish for those responsible for such violence to see the devastation their actions have caused.
The funeral home is one of the few remaining black-owned, family-run funeral homes in the country. Lindsey's mother and grandfather established it as an important community institution that preserves African American history and records that are often lost. Though emotionally taxing, they view their work as a calling to provide care and closure for grieving families.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The Lawrence H. Woodward Funeral Home has been run by the same family for generations in Brooklyn's Bedstuy neighborhood.
- The funeral home frequently handles services for victims of violent crime and gunshot wounds, which takes an emotional and physical toll on the staff.
- Preparing severely damaged bodies in a dignified way for grieving families is an immense challenge the funeral directors take on as a calling.
- As one of the few remaining black-owned family funeral homes, preserving African American history and records is a priority.
- The funeral home provides an important community service and space, especially in underprivileged neighborhoods affected by violence.
- The staff wishes perpetrators of violence could witness the devastation they cause to understand the tragedy of their actions.
- Despite the difficulties, the funeral directors find fulfillment in caring for the deceased and their families with empathy.
- The funeral home seeks to celebrate the lives of the deceased rather than just focusing on tragic deaths.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “When my dad went to school, he was one of two black young boys in high school, and he was told that everybody contributed to America and everything else. Sands, the black man, and he found that to be very disheartening.“ by Linda Thompson Lindsey
- “We need our records.“ by Kendall Lindsey
- “It's not always easy, but like I said, do the best I can to get as close as possible.“ by Simona Ross
Entities
Company
Product
Person
Episode Information
Criminal
Vox Media Podcast Network
6/14/24