Bartholomew Funeral Home services all aspects of funeral services such as pre-need arrangements and pre-planning consultation, traditional funeral services, help with cemetery arrangements, cremation services, video life tributes, and monuments. Bartholomew Funeral Home strives to help people during the difficult time of loss, provide dignity and respect for the deceased, and to establish long lasting, close relationships with the families in the community.
Charles "Chuck" Harris, funeral director for 30 years, provides exactly that at Bartholomew Funeral Home. Harris, born and raised in Indiana attended Ball State University and received his B.S. in Biology with a minor in Philosophy. Although Harris began his educational career path toward optometry, he found his true passion in mortuary science and that path soon changed.
Harris has found there is nothing quite like what he does on a daily basis. There is unpredictability, and being able to become a big part of someone’s life that you’ve just met that makes it one of the best parts.
“Every day is different," he said. "If there is one thing about this job that gives me the most satisfaction, it’s being able to be there for others during a time when they need it the most. To be that person, to guide and comfort those who are grieving, is one of the purest and most amazing gifts you could ever receive. We are all human. That means that we will all lose someone that we love in our lifetime. We will all know a heartache that grief can give, and because of that, we can all show empathy to others."
Harris finds true pleasure in what he does and what he provides the community.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I meet the most amazing people; I just so happen to do it during one of the most difficult times of their lives. My favorite moment is the arrangement conference. It’s during this meeting that I get to sit down and start to build a relationship with the family that I’m serving. I’m able to gain their trust as I prove that I am there for them and their needs. At these meetings, I ask a lot of questions regarding their loved one. I’m able to learn about the lives that they’ve had and their personal stories. To be able to get a glimpse into others' lives is a true blessing that I never take for granted,” Harris said.
Every job and every day are moments for teaching. Being a funeral director is no different.
“In this line of work, you appreciate your own family more. I have a mother and father who are both still living. If that’s not a blessing in itself, I want to take it one step further. In today’s day and age, you meet all different kinds of families and situations and it really makes you appreciate what you have in your own life,” Harris said.
Both appreciative and grateful, Harris loves what he does and he loves what he can offer in difficult times. It’s not always a walk in the park, but Harris finds the silver lining in everything he does.
“There’s no such thing as a ‘boring’ day at work. Stressful days? Yes. Busy days? You bet! Boring days? Never! You’re waking up at 3 a.m. to go on a house call. You’re meeting a family to go over funeral arrangements. You’re moving caskets into the viewing room. You’re doing an embalming and make-up on the deceased.
"Our days are unpredictable and always changing,” Harris said.
Harris is active in his community and is a board member of Porter Starke Services Foundation, President of the Porter County Substance Abuse Council, board member of the Porter County Community Action Drug Coalition, board member of the United Way of Porter County, board member of the Porter County Suicide Prevention Task Force, and board member of the Porter County V.N.A. He also belongs to the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, Orak Shrine, Sons of the American Legion, Porter County Farm Bureau, National Funeral Directors Association, Property Records Industry Association, and a member of the Indiana Coroner's Association.
To learn more about Charles Harris and Bartholomew Funeral Home, please visit https://www.bartholomewnewhard.com/