by Lisa Moody Breslin photography by Walter P. Calahan
Kyle Pritts is a second generation funeral director and the owner of Pritts Funeral Home and Chapel. At the age of 17 he began working for the family business, Pritts Funeral Home, formerly the Myers-Pritts Funeral Home on Willis Street. He attended and graduated with honors from Carson Long Military Institute. He graduated from Catonsville Community College with a degree in Mortuary Science.
Kyle is engaged to Amy Boerner, his companion for over 15 years. He has two daughters, Audrey Pritts Coder and Emily Pritts, and three grandchildren: Cameron, Kylie and Keira.
When you began working for the family business at the age of 17, what were some of your favorite responsibilities? As a young, inexperienced worker at the funeral home my responsibilities were parking cars, a job I still enjoy doing because I get to greet everyone that comes in, and also it takes organization to make our trip to the cemetery safe and smooth. I also greeted people at the door, a warm smile and a good handshake went a long way.
What were your least favorite responsibilities? The job I didn’t enjoy was answering the phones and staying at the funeral home when we weren’t busy. Today we have cell phones that give us flexibility and allow us to operate from home when we aren’t needed at the office. Also, the raking of leaves and painting weren’t very exciting, but now I don’t mind doing these small tasks because I see the importance of continuing to maintain the grounds and buildings of the funeral home.
What did you learn in mortuary science classes that helped you most at Pritts? Mortuary school taught me that death can be looked at in a science perspective with many different functions. There is an embalming class, psych class, law class to name a few. I had to pass both a state and national test, as well as serve a two-year apprenticeship.
What are some of the best lessons your father taught you? As a young child, around the age of 6, I was always by my father’s side. He taught me to have respect for the living as well as the dead. He taught me to always be honest and treat everyone the way I would want to be treated. White, black, rich or poor, we are all equal.
Top three myths about your business that you have to debunk the most? Most people think we hold regular business hours, but we are a 24/7/365 operation. Someone is always available, whether it be in the middle of the night or a holiday. #2: The belief that you can’t have a viewing and a service and still have a cremation. You can, and the viewing is proven to be an important part in closure. #3: Reality shows and shows like “Six Feet Under” accurately portray funeral directors. They do not.
What are three fast fascinating facts about preparing someone for burial? You have to take your time and imagine/use a photo of what the person looked like before death took place. You have to make sure that every little detail is correct; everything has to be perfect. And, finally, every case is different and you need to challenge yourself and use your education and training to anticipate what the end results will be.
If someone is trying to decide which funeral home they’d like to work with, what questions should they ask the funeral director? I think they should visit the funeral home and take a tour, look at parking facilities that can accommodate their family. Then see a working visitation and meet the staff and ask questions about different services.
Typical comments that you hear during the Halloween season? “Got any skeletons in the closet?” “Can I borrow a casket? There used to be a lot of prank calls but that doesn’t seem to happen much anymore. And, oh yes, the occasional pumpkin smashed on the parking lot.
How would you complete this sentence: If people only knew … then … If people only knew how much time and dedication go into planning a funeral they would understand the cost better.
Given Audrey’s college pursuit, is it your hope that she will eventually take over the family business? If yes, share three qualities about her that make her ideal for that move? Yes, she will eventually take on the funeral home as a third generation funeral director. She has grown up in this industry since a small child and has seen the hard work her grandfather and I have put into establishing and running this business and making it what it is today. When she was little she would come in and help do little jobs. Living in Westminster, she has had the opportunity to meet many in the community and will be able to carry on the family business.
The other qualities that make her ideal for the job? Being a nurse (left Shock Trauma in Nov 2014) she cared for those involved in sometimes unexpected and devastating times in their life. She is compassionate and caring and also a good listener. She is also a dedicated hard worker and does not give up. She graduated from nursing school and has balanced her family, working at the funeral home and hospital, as well as being a full time student at Community College of Baltimore to obtain her Mortuary Science degree.
You are a Ravens fan – your predictions for their season? I have been a PSL owner since day one and enjoyed the good and the bad – 9-7 with a wildcard.
Where and when are you happiest? I enjoy being in the woods. It is when I reflect on family, God and other matters in life. During this time I think of my friends and family that are no longer here. It is serene and peaceful.
What is the trait you appreciate the most about yourself? That I am who I am (don’t try to be someone I’m not). You get the real me, a country boy.
The least? I work too much.
What do you hope to be doing 10 years from now? Still being able to pick the daises. Seeing and helping my children be successful.
