Remembering Loved Ones We Have Lost
December 12, 2022
Recently Morris-Baker held its annual Candlelight Holiday Memorial Service to remember those community members who have died and to honor the families who have experienced these losses. After the service, we held a reception to provide fellowship and community to everyone who attended. It was the first event we had held in our newly renovated Oak Hall, and we hope it provided the warmth and peace that all of us seek in this season.
Thank you to Dr. Jason Troyer for offering remarks during the service, to our staff who ran the event from start to finish, and a special thank you to all the families who attended our annual Candlelight Holiday Memorial Service.

We have news to share! We are truly humbled to announce that Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services has been honored with the 2024 Pursuit of Excellence Award from the National Funeral Directors Association! This award put us among the world’s most distinguished funeral homes, known for delivering extraordinary service while adhering to the highest ethical and professional standards. A big thank you to the NFDA for bestowing this incredible honor on our team!

When Imelia McAllister was studying criminal justice at East Tennessee State University, she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do after graduation. One of the professional fields that interested her was funeral service, so she began exploring it. “I was looking into mortuary school,” Imelia says, “but I didn’t want to rush into it because I wanted to be positive that it was the right step for me.” When Imelia saw the job posting in front office administration at Morris-Baker, she decided to apply. “I liked the fact that it was a family-owned business, and everyone was so nice when I came to interview,” she says. “I started here with reception hoping to see how I would feel about becoming a funeral director.” Imelia did see. As the months passed—and her skills and knowledge deepened—she learned a lot more about the field. “I decided that becoming a director wasn't for me, but I have also discovered that I enjoy working on the administrative side and helping out in that way.” She has also discovered how different a funeral service staff can be in contrast to the stereotype. “You see all these portrayals of people in the funeral business as being very stuffy and strict, but everyone that I have talked to in this business is so kind and funny and just a delight to be around,” she says. She adds, “Everyone here is so helpful. They really make me feel like there are no stupid questions.” There never will be. We’re happy that Imelia came to Morris-Baker and that although path might not have been the one she thought she would be on, that she’s on a path with us.

The GriefPlan Video Program is available on our website . This program includes more than 65 brief videos and 50 activity sheets that answer the most common questions about grief as well as provides a step-by-step guide to heal, remember, and rebuild after loss. Morris-Baker Funeral Home is proud to offer Dr. Troyer's GriefPlan program to our entire community free of charge.

We are humbled to announce that Morris-Baker Funeral Home has been honored with the 2024 Pursuit of Excellence Award. Because this is our 10th Award, we are proud to be inducted in the NFDA Hall of Excellence. Earning this award is not just a testament to meeting the highest professional and ethical standards: it reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence, our relentless pursuit of continuous improvement, and our deep-rooted dedication to the families and communities we serve.