Meet a Funeral Director: Colby Voigt
How long have you worked at SendOff? How did you first get into the profession?
I have been with SendOff since it's inception and launch in November of 2022, but I've been working as a licensed funeral director for 10 years, so brought nearly a decade's worth of experience to SendOff. I became interested in the funeral industry after a mentor program I took in high school in which I shadowed a funeral director. I was drawn to the work because of the mix of science (body preparation) and the face-to-face support and customer service funeral directors provide to families at an especially tough time in their life. That mentor program and everything I learned in shadowing was what set me on a path toward this profession, which truly has been so fulfilling. No day is the same, and every individual and family has unique needs and wishes. It's a privilege to play a role in telling someone’s story in their celebration of life and helping others find peace and healing after loss.
What is your job like? What are you responsible for in a typical week?
My job varies quite greatly from day to day. Some days I meet with families to help plan a SendOff event. That requires sitting down and really digging into the person’s life story, what they valued, what made them unique, who and how they loved, etc. Our goal in planning a SendOff is to capture the magic of the person being celebrated, and then to create a meaningful event that really speaks to their life story and how they impacted others around them. We’ve hosted SendOff celebrations at neighborhood bars, in big barns, and fancy event spaces. Sometimes we’ll have a signature drink or a super special memento that guests can take home with them. We’ve had live bands with people dancing and singing, temporary tattoo stations, art on display, etc. Right now, we’re planning a SendOff where puppies will be present! Some SendOff events are a combination of tradition followed by a big celebration. Every SendOff is so different.
When I’m not planning, I’m at a celebration of life helping to coordinate and execute, ensuring all the details are managed and that families can fully engage with guests and activities without concern for logistics.
And in between those activities, I’m responding to death calls (removing bodies from homes or care facilities and transporting the deceased to their next destination), then caring for that person to fulfill their burial or cremation arrangements.
Most days I do a little bit of all of these things! I’ve also been on local news programs, and radio shows, or presented at conferences. SendOff is a unique funeral service unlike any other in the state of Minnesota. Bringing awareness to what we do and how we’re different has been a fun and unexpected part of my job.
What is your favorite part of your job?
The best part of my job is connecting with and helping people in my community to guide them through what can be the worst days of their lives. Grief impacts everyone differently, and knowing that I’m supporting people through an especially difficult time, and playing a role in their healing process, gives me purpose and the motivation to show up every day with genuine compassion and care.
What do you wish more people knew about funerals and cemeteries?
I wish people knew that although tradition can be an important part of mourning, acceptance of death and moving forward with grief can come a bit easier when you participate in planning a memorial service or celebration of life that is truly meaningful and personal. A lot of funeral homes check the boxes, but we help people curate memorial events that are really, really special. Joy and laughter have a place in mourning a significant loss, and creating opportunity to feel those emotions can be such an important part of healing.
We beat the pre-planning drum a lot, but I never miss the opportunity to remind people that planning their own end-of-life arrangements can be such a gift to their friends and family. Yes, pre-planning ensures your wishes are fulfilled, but equally important, it ensures the people who are grieving your death don’t have to make 100 decisions amid overwhelming emotions. Also, some of the best SendOff celebrations are planned by individuals while they’re still alive.
Regarding cemeteries, there's a growing demand for green burial services in Minnesota, and many people falsely think that all disposition options are available to them no matter where they live or what cemetery they choose for internment. If you want an eco-conscious option for disposition, having those conversations in advance is important.
What was the most memorable burial that you've helped with?
I've had quite a few memorable burials, but one of my favorite ways to involve the attendees is to have them sign the casket with bright colored Sharpies at the cemetery and write a favorite memory or message to the deceased. It’s a colorful, vibrant display of love.
Do you have any thoughts or recommendations for people who are grieving?
I think it's important for people to know that everyone grieves differently and there’s nothing wrong with you if you don't feel a certain way that you or others think you should feel. Also, there’s so much support available to people who are struggling to move forward with grief. The Twin Cities has a number of a free support groups, and no matter where you live, you can access online communities that can be instrumental in processing grief. Seeking support can be really difficult for some people, but the ability to connect with others and feel less alone can be life changing.
I also think that having a meaningful SendOff for your loved one, a SendOff that honors them in a way that truly reflects their spirit and personality, can play a huge part in your grieving/healing process.
Is there anything else that you'd like to share with our audience?
Our goal at SendOff is to help families curate more authentic, more memorable, and more meaningful celebration-of-life events. We spend a lot of time with families learning all about the person being celebrated – nothing about our planning process is rushed, and like each life we’re honoring, each SendOff is one-of-a-kind. A SendOff doesn't need to be an elaborate and flashy affair; it can be quiet and intimate. And we understand that cultural and religious traditions are important, and we’ll honor those traditions in planning a SendOff. When other funeral homes may so “no” to specific requests, we say “YES!”
Many people think that in order to pull together a really unique service or celebration of life, they have to DIY it or do it on their own. But when you’re stricken with grief, planning something meaningful can be a real challenge. There’s a lot of logistics to manage. If you’re a caregiver for an aging parent, raising children, working a demanding job, etc., a DIY funeral might fall short of your expectations. Having support from a team like SendOff creates capacity for you to focus on yourself or focus on family or friends who need your attention.
If you want to start planning a celebration of life event now or are interested in learning more about SendOff, visit www.sendoff.co, where you can schedule a 30-minute introduction call and meet with our team.
