“This really is a business that serves the living,” says Funeral Director Michael Ewing. Ewing has worked in funeral service for over a decade and says he loves his job. He admits though that the last five months have been challenging. Yet, he and his staff have risen up to overcome the trials of a global pandemic as they serve families and the community.
Ewing, the owner of Ewing Funeral Home in Clarion, has been working in the community since 2009. Describing the beginnings of the company, he explains that his dad Roger got into the funeral service in the 70s after having served in Vietnam. Roger first worked in the Britt area, eventually expanding to Kanawha and then beyond. Now there are five Ewing locations with establishments in Britt, Kanawha, Clarion, Belmond, and Dows. The company has four funeral directors, a mortuary student and various full and part-time staff, including Mike’s wife Brianne who is the company’s business manager.
For his part, Mike says that he entered into the family business a little later in life. After college, he worked for Kraft Foods in Mason City, but changed course in 2008 when he took up his funeral service education at Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny. By 2009, he and Brianne made Clarion their home and got to work.
Regarding funeral service, Mike said that he and his staff handle more than the average person might realize. “From the time we get a phone call that someone has passed away to the burial and beyond, we’re working at all levels.” He says that their public part of the business might be the funeral ceremony but, by then, the staff has spent hours planning, whether that might be preparing a body and embalming, working with families or coordinating with vendors. He adds that in rural Iowa, “We have to be Jacks of all trades,” meaning that they are equipped to handle all parts of funeral service.
If one looks on Ewing’s webpage, you’ll find many testimonials that compliment their service. One from the Clarion area said, “Mike and Staff – We are so grateful for all you’ve done for our family in these past several days. Our mom’s visitation and service very much honored her, and we would not have been able to do that without you. She would be so proud.”
At another level, Pastor Bill Kem who presides over Clarion’s Presbyterian and Congregational Churches also appreciates what Ewing does. “They are compassionate, caring professionals,” Kem said. “I’ve worked in many communities and churches, and I would choose to work with Ewings every time.” He explains that Mike and his staff go above and beyond to aid bereaved families during a difficult time and make sure they have nothing to worry about.
Yet, Ewing and his staff have had plenty to worry about themselves in the last few months. Since mid-March, the changes in restrictions for gatherings that affect funerals have been a whirlwind. Numbers allowed at different points went from fifty, to ten, to nothing to half capacity. Mike described situations where someone’s funeral was already planned but then restrictions made the planned service infeasible.
He said that this has been the most difficult time in his career. Mike notes that Ewings pride themselves in being able to do almost anything families want for a funeral (within the bounds of the law). “I used to think we had obstacles, like if we had to postpone a funeral for day because of a snowstorm. Then this happened and I would get a sick feeling in my gut knowing we couldn’t do what a family wanted.” He calls the pandemic “a wake up call.”
Yet, Ewings plowed forward to provide service, comfort, and care during a strange time. Mike said they did several services with only ten people present, which included the minister and funeral home staff. He adds that seeing the grief process delayed because a funeral couldn’t happen has been hard for families. “Extending that mourning process is tough. It’s like picking a scab. It’s there and can’t go away.”
Others agree that they have done an admirable job given the conditions. Carrie Ann Olson of Clarion had to plan her husband Larry’s funeral recently in the midst of this. She admits it was hard deciding what they could do, but Ewings stood up to the challenge. Olson said, “Our family is so grateful to Ewing Funeral Home for helping us with funeral arrangements at the unprecedented time of COVID-19 restrictions. [Funeral Director] Natalie Erickson guided us through the decision making, and Michael was amazing at handling the outdoor service in the cemetery, allowing a group to gather and social distance.”
Pastor Kem also agrees. He has been impressed by Ewings service during the changing restrictions. Kem says, “Their response has been ‘Boy, this is difficult, but we’re going to do the best in every situation to care for every family.’”
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and her administration too recognized the challenges the state’s funeral directors have faced during the last difficult months. She declared this week, July 12-18, Iowa Funeral Directors Week. The proclamation said in part, “Iowa funeral directors have worked hard throughout the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic to ensure families are able to celebrate and honor the lives of loved ones while taking necessary precautions to keep everyone safe. [They] play a vital role on the front lines in Iowa’s recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic.”
For his part, Mike Ewing appreciates the praise. He says that he and other funeral directors are just regular people working in an often-misunderstood industry. He lauds his great staff and the great communities they work in for making his job as a funeral director special. “It’s the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever done,” he emphasizes. “I wouldn’t do anything else.”
