A Night of Remembrance and Revelry for Funeral Directors

It was an evening of sophistication, gathering, sparkling dresses, premier tuxedos, gourmet dining, accompanied by a vibrant blend of live jazz, R&B melodies, and a packed dance floor.  

This month’s 2024 Undertakers Ball at the Jade Event Center in North County proved to be a remarkable achievement, according to all reports.

The event’s organizer, Rev. Dr. NL Grice, the proprietor of the Jade Event Center, noted that the inception of the inaugural event in 2023 was, in part, an initiative to acknowledge funeral directors who were relentlessly navigating through one of the most challenging periods in contemporary history. 

Initially identified in Wuhan, China, late in 2019, COVID-19 infiltrated the U.S. ecosystem in January 2020. By the conclusion of 2022, the virus had claimed over 1 million lives within the United States alone. It disrupted personal, familial, and professional lives globally. While the effects on first responders (stress, anxiety, PTSD, depression, etc.) were extensively documented, the struggles faced by responders – Funeral directors – received inadequate attention. 

Following directives issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to minimize transmission risks from the deceased, numerous customary funeral service rituals and practices were modified or put on hold.

The pandemic altered how Americans mourn and cope, leaving many without a suitable means to bid farewell. Funeral and cremation service directors were abruptly compelled to manage a rise in in-home and virtual arrangements amid a significant labor shortage in the industry.

Vanessa Pollard and her spouse Jeffrey are second-generation proprietors of Ronald L. Jones Funeral Home in North St. Louis. She reminisced about some of those heartbreaking experiences.

“We endured long, demanding hours attempting to fulfill the mandates established by the city … and the CDC,” Pollard recounted.

“Frequently, we could only accommodate 10 family members at the service at any one time, with some families having more than that just within their immediate circle. Therefore, we had to stagger (services) throughout the day to serve families while ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.”

Kelvin O. Baucom, owner of Baucom’s Life Celebration and Cremation Center in Jennings, spoke highly of the origins of the Undertaker’s Ball. 

“It originated during a period when we were unable to gather for any type of events or gatherings,” Baucom stated.

Today, Grice highlighted, the ball “transcends the anxiety we experienced during the pandemic.”

“Our primary objective today,” he elaborated, “is to award scholarships to aspiring funeral service students, but we also take a moment to recognize our losses.”

“Just last year, we lost numerous pioneers, including Mr. Austin Layne, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas from Reliable Funeral Home, as well as T. Herbert Cotton from Wade Funeral Home.”

Grice expressed that the ball offers those in the “death industry” valuable time to live.

“Most of the time, funeral homes are at the cemetery and lack the opportunity to connect and engage with one another. They only see each other in passing. Thus, this is the time of year when everyone can convene, converse, enjoy gourmet meals, and dance.”

What Pollard valued most about the ball was the chance to break free from the competitive environment and truly support each other.

“Our profession doesn’t have conventional working hours; it’s 24/7,” Pollard explained. “It served as an excellent opportunity to welcome colleagues to celebrate while not competing against one another. We were in a safe space; we united to be honored.”

During the evening, participants received awards such as “Power Couple, Removal Service and Printing Company.” Vanessa Pollard noted that her father’s, Ronald L. Jones’ “Foundational Award” was truly deserved.  

“My father, Mr. Jones, established a legacy not only for his family but also as we now progress towards our third generation,” Pollard explained further emphasizing her father’s impact: “He’s assisted at least four funeral homes in establishing their own operations and we have provided support to each of them with supplies, information, or methods to structure their businesses.”

The ball was co-sponsored by the Witherspoon Law Group, recognized for representing personal injury and wrongful death victims and their families. The Florida-based firm operates in various states, including Missouri.

Grice mentioned that he is unaware of any other significant Undertakers Ball in the country. Due to the annual St. Louis gathering, he hopes this will change. He is planning the Undertaker’s Ball in conjunction with the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) Convention & Expo set to take place in St. Louis in 2026.

Baucom thinks this is an excellent proposal:

“It’s a wonderful concept and a tremendous way to honor those who have dedicated 30 or 40 years in this industry and express gratitude towards those who have given back to their communities.”

Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.

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