Funeral directors are some of the most selfless people that exist.

Though many people have the misconception that funeral directors are cold, unfeeling people who find joy in and profit from grief, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Funeral directors choose to go into one of the most demanding professions there are because they have a desire to help people remember their loved ones and bring closure to unimaginable loss.

Funeral directors sometimes dedicate their nights, weekends, and holidays to be there for a family in their time of need. Death doesn’t choose the most convenient time, so funeral directors have to be ready to help at 3 a.m., on Christmas day, or on Sunday morning. That’s just how things are.

Unfortunately, though, this selflessness can catch up to a funeral director, leading to strained relationships and occupational burnout. So what can you do to make sure you are taking an adequate amount of personal time?

Set Aside Time Off for Personally Important Dates

Birthdays, anniversaries, and other milestones in your life are specific to you, which means it’s pretty unlikely that your coworkers will need the same days off. Take this opportunity to spend time with the people you love or just to relax and enjoy a day alone to recharge.

Coordinate Holidays with Your Fellow Funeral Directors

If you’re lucky enough to work with other talented professionals, sit down with them to discuss a plan for holidays. Perhaps this year you take Christmas day and they take Christmas Eve. Maybe next year you alternate those dates.

If one person enjoys one particular holiday while you enjoy another, try giving them that day off in exchange for the holiday you want. Communication here is key.

Surround Yourself with Supportive People

There is a very good chance that, despite your best efforts, you will still miss birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and more than a few weekends. That is just the nature of this profession.

In fact, some in the profession even encourage newcomers to fully understand the sacrifices funeral directors make before they commit, because the reality is very different from what many believe. It’s because of this that it’s important that those close to you understand the demands you face, and the reason why you’ve chosen this path in life.

Having people around you who support your passion and are understanding when you miss a dinner or party here and there can make all the difference. The last thing you need is to feel guilty for doing what you love.

Use Modern Software to Save Time

You know more than anyone else that a vast majority of what a funeral director does is paperwork and event planning. Some have even referred to the profession as being kind of like a wedding planner with a very short time frame.

By using modern software to help you organize and get your work done, you can save yourself a lot of time that you can spend pampering yourself or spending time with family and friends.