Posted by Ralph Montesanto on Aug 13, 2019
The speaker this morning was our very own Ryan Turner doing his classification talk. Ryan was introduced by Bob Morrow, his sponsor. Bob told us Ryan is the grandson of charter member Ken Turner, is a partner and director of The Turner Family Funeral Home and is married to Bob’s granddaughter. Ryan is also the club’s most recent inductee and at the age of 24 brought the average age of the club way down.
 
Ryan was born in Copetown, moved to Dundas and attended Highland Secondary School (played on the football team) before heading off to Humber College to earn his funeral director certificate. Ryan received his funeral director licence in 2015 after completing the in-class, internship, board exam and inspected embalming. 
The job can be stressful, being always on call and dealing with people who are vulnerable. He plays hockey, curls and enjoys video games and playing his guitar. He enjoys the family summer cottage on Beaver Lake and this along with his hobbies gives him a break from the rigors of the funeral business. Talking with co-workers and sometimes a counselor helps too.
 
He loves his job, mainly because he is able to help individuals at one of their lowest points in life. He appreciates the simple thank you he receives from families. 
Club members had plenty of questions. Here are some of his answers. Funerals are becoming less religious with only about 35% of funerals at a church or religious site. About 65% of services are cremations and 35% burials. Hamilton now has a green cemetery where bodies are buried without embalming or a casket. Many family owned funeral homes are being bought out by conglomerates. He expects Turner Family Funeral Home to be in business a long time and his long-term goal is to own the business.
 
Barb Busing thanked Ryan for his talk and as is the club custom, had him sign a children’s book that will be delivered to the First Nations library.