Stanley Swan was brought up with his three siblings on a dairy farm in the Southern Tier of New York State. At a very young age, he knew he was destined to be in the funeral business. Stan spent many years in the broadcast business as an on-air personality before answering 'the call' to enter funeral service. At age 31, he returned to college, obtained his NYS directors license and with his wife Sandra, an RN, purchased their small funeral home in the Southern Tier which they operated for twenty years. While there, Stan also spent many years in corrections with a local Sheriffs department. A bout of cancer led Stan and Sandra to sell their firm, but a short time later returned to the 'calling' he felt so strong about. Now, after almost thirty seven years, Stan has decided to put in print for others to see, the challenges facing those in funeral service, the highs, the lows, the personal sacrifices and the rewards.