Death is the final destination of every living thing. All the hard works accomplished throughout our lives lead to this important but yet ignored subject. Death is not much discussed in our society. When someone dies, it is said to be “going away”. We certainly feel sad of other people’s death, but we are deeply affected when our loved one pass away. Although, we are consciously aware of this reality, we unconsciously refuse to accept this part of the life process.
Thus did I notice when approaching the mysteriously quiet Marvil Funeral Home located on Main Street in Darby. The Marvil Funeral Home looked like a regular house beautified by well-groomed flowers. It also had some Christmas wreaths on each window. The sign on the door read: “Please ring the door bell or call 610 583 2727.” There was no sign of life after ringing the bell five times. I, therefore, decided to dial the number indicated.
“OK, please wait a moment,” a man answered, “I am coming for you.” As a door opened behind me, I heard the same voice saying: “Come in. How can I help you?”
I politely introduce myself to Mr Chuck Marvil who courteously walked me through the funeral home. He was the director; a relatively tall and sturdy man with round eyes and tanned face. A smooth forehead gave way to a beak nose. He had a spotless and creamy skin contrasted with its brown hair. Simply clad in a long-sleeved white shirt, blue jeans, and grey sneakers, he was both friendly and amiable.
In fact, the funeral home was composed of two compartments. One houses the director with his office situated in the basement. The second, larger, was the central part. They were both separated by a hallway leading to the parking.
It was somewhat what I had expected when following him. The first room we came upon was what he called the “viewing room”.
“This is where the family and friends of the deceased see him or her for the last time”, said Mr Marvil with some hand gestures. “When the body arrives, we clean it and dress the person appropriately for this instance”, he continued. After that, the family decides whether the body will be cremated or buried. The room was cool and spacious. A beautiful and ornate carpet covered the floor. Approximately twenty chairs and a small stage occupied the room. The lightning was very low.
We then moved upstairs to a bright “display room” where Mr Marvil proceeded:
“These are called caskets. We have them in wood, bronze, and stainless steel. We don’t have a lot here, but we have the possibility to order according the customer’s need.” It was a white-walled room containing ten coffins, lids opened, ready for the next inspection. Prices started at $700 and averaged $2,000. When I asked him the price of the most expensive, he pointed the only stainless steel casket situated in the corner and said “$5,000. However, some can cost up to $15,000.” On another corner of the room, there were a closet containing clothes for the dead body, and some shelves used to display a variety of urns. These urns were intended to collect the remains of the body after the cremation. As we walked out of the room, I started asking him some questions about the company.
The Marvil Funeral Home, a family company averaging two hundred services per year, has been serving the community for 75 years. It is now operated by Chuck Marvil, the funeral director representing the fifth generation, and his two daughters Jennifer and Tracy Marvil, the sixth generation. Mr Marvil described his job as helping families be assured that they loved one rest in peace and comfort.
Finally, as I walked away, I felt glad to have satisfied my curiosity about funeral homes, but also sad to know that many people are opting for cremation instead of burial. I now regard death as, certainly, a sad reality, but as the universal way to say goodbye to our wonderful world.