PEIMost people don’t think about a funeral director until they need one – but Prince Edward Island is in short supply, and some in the profession are feeling burnt out. ‘I think every funeral home right now is looking for someone,’ says Souris practitionerSavannah Awde · CBC News · Posted: Sep 03, 2025 6:05 PM EDT | Last Updated: 1 hour ago’You have to be there for them,’ says P.E.I. funeral director pushing others to join the fieldFuneral directors and embalmers say there’s a shortage of workers in their field on Prince Edward Island. People who do the work say it’s extremely rewarding… but it can be stressful too. CBC’s Connor Lamont has more. Most people don’t think about a funeral director’s job until they need one — but they’re in short supply on Prince Edward Island and some in the profession are feeling burnt out. Nathaniel Lamoureux describes his work as owner and operator of the Dingwell Funeral Home as a “one-man operation.”He’s a licensed funeral director and embalmer, but he’s also responsible for administrative and cleaning tasks behind the scenes at the operation in Souris, in northeastern P.E.I.”People don’t realize the role funeral directors play in their community until they need them,” he said.”When a family needs you, whether it’s six in the morning, or 3 a.m., or 8 p.m. or whenever — Christmas morning — we’re there for them. Because our role in the community is to serve.” Nathaniel Lamoureux is a licensed funeral director and embalmer, but he also does many administrative and cleaning tasks behind the scenes at Dingwell Funeral Home in Souris. (Connor Lamont/CBC)Despite the importance of the role, Lamoureux said there’s a shortage of funeral home directors across the Island at the moment.”I think every funeral home right now is looking for someone,” he said. Belvedere Funeral Home director Paul Daigle has observed the same thing, and believes the staffing shortfall is only getting worse. Funeral director Paul Daigle, who works out of Belvedere Funeral Home, sees his position as an extension of health care. (Connor Lamont/CBC)”Our jobs are very important. To me, we’re an extension of health care,” Daigle said. “We’re here to help people through the difficult times in their lives … to help them through the first few steps of their grief process.”Bill Sampson, co-owner of the Belvedere Funeral Home, said the job can be time-consuming and emotionally demanding.”It’s not uncommon for us to be leaving at three or four o’ clock in the morning to go to a call, to come back here to the funeral home,” Sampson said.Lamoureux said burnout is a real risk for funeral directors, especially as the population ages. His own workload became so heavy recently that he had to take a few weeks off.Lamoureux says he had to take some time away from his work at the Dingwell Funeral Home after experiencing burnout. (Connor Lamont/CBC)”It just became too much. And I want to serve families in the best capacity I can,” he said. “I’m blessed to be in this community because everyone has said, it’s so important that you look after yourself, because we need you.”While the shortfall continues, Daigle said it might become necessary for funeral homes to help support one another.”It’s kind of scary,” he said of the current situation. “There may come a time that we may all just have to pull our forces together to help each other.”Being on call 24 hours a day and seven days a week can be demanding, according to Belvedere Funeral Home co-owner Bill Sampson. (Connor Lamont/CBC)Provincial regulation requires a licensed funeral director to perform certain tasks, but Lamoureux said adding a para-profession to the industry is worth exploring. “We don’t necessarily need to have licensed funeral directors involved in everything,” he said. “We could be working here 24 hours a day.” But it’s not as simple as finding just anyone to fill a role. Lamoureux says keeping a funeral home running is a labour of love. ‘It’s not uncommon for us to be leaving at three or four o’ clock in the morning to go to a call, to come back here to the funeral home,’ says Belvedere Funeral Home co-owner Bill Sampson. (Connor Lamont/CBC)”I always tell people, you couldn’t do this unless you loved it,” he said. “Being able to find the right person that can guide families through that process in a very kind and compassionate manner, that’s key.”For those with the right skill set, Daigle said the job can be extremely fulfilling.”[You] sit with the family for a few days, you get to know them and kind of feel like you’re part of their family,” he said. “At the end of the service, they’re thanking you and hugging you. That’s the greatest reward.”ABOUT THE AUTHORSavannah Awde is a reporter with CBC New Brunswick. You can contact her with story ideas at savannah.awde@cbc.ca.
Wanted: New funeral directors to help ease the burden of those already working on P.E.I.
