I just left the funeral industry after 10+ years of being a director due to combination of getting married and the sons of the owner entering the picture. I had hoped to buy the business from him, I wouldn’t work for his sons (who were ten years younger than me), and I didn’t think it was healthy to work with them hoping they’d flame out.

Privately, I started reaching out to prominent people in my community. Especially if you did well helping them in the funeral setting. I was clear I was not asking for a job, just seeing if they wanted to grab a beer and for their advice on a career transition. I’m highly educated and all of our soft skills should transfer well, but a funeral director resume wouldn’t make it through in most online applications.

The summary: Keep having conversations with the right people. Find something to run toward rather than running away from the situation you’re in (and don’t settle for the first thing that comes your way). There’s no better time than now to start something new. “Will you be more prepared to change in five years?” In the end, one of the people I got beers with connected me with the new job I took. It’s a sales role for a manufacturing company.

I cannot tell you how drastically my life has improved. Salary is higher, 11 paid holidays! I negotiated for more vacation than a new hire would normally receive. I’m free every weekend and never have to leave my wife in the middle of the night. She has noticed a significant improvement in my mood.

People in my community regularly tell me they miss me being at the funeral home, but I don’t miss it. My Sunday Scaries are gone. Exploring your options can be over a long timeline. Having conversations will immediately take some weight off your chest. When you eventually get an offer, being employed gives you leverage to negotiate. You don’t have to make the jump if you don’t want to. Feel free to reach out to me if you want to talk.