When you meet Dan Salmon, owner and manager of Christensen Salmon Generations Funeral Home, you’re not only meeting him, but the beating heart of the business. Dan isn't just a third-generation owner and funeral director. He's a friend, he rolls up his sleeves, and he has strived to cultivate a family-like atmosphere within Generations. One he hopes the families we are honoured to serve feel every time they walk through our doors. 

The funeral service profession is one that is often shrouded in misconceptions, false facts, and bad press. But I want to pull back that curtain. To take a look into the passion, drive, and hard work that fuels this very demanding profession. For Dan, the funeral profession wasn't a sudden career switch—it was the natural path chosen after growing up surrounded by the culture of his family's commitment to the profession. 

In this first post, Dan shares the history behind the name of Christensen Salmon Generations, how he followed in his father's footsteps, and why, after 28 years, the variety and personal connections of the profession still make him eager to come to work every day. 

 A History of Service 

The history of Generations and the Salmon family’s involvement spans decades. Dan shared with me the roots of the business, showing just how long his family has been dedicated to serving the community. 

"The business used to be the Fleming Brothers Funeral Home back in 1927. Then the Christensen Brothers bought it, and it was the Christensen Brothers Funeral Home. In 1960, my grandpa, Robert Salmon, bought the funeral home from the Christensen Brothers, and that’s how it became Christensen Salmon. We just kept their last name and have carried it on." 

In 1977 Dan's father, Mel Salmon, would officially enter the business when they opened a location in Cardston. 

 Raised in the Profession 

As a third-generation funeral director, Dan’s career path was heavily influenced by his family. 

"I think just being around my dad growing up, I was just always interested in it. It's like something I just wanted to do since I was a little kid. My dad kind of steered me into it." 

Dan formally started his apprenticeship over 28 years ago where he worked alongside his father and his father’s brother, Max Salmon. Being surrounded by the profession from an early age prepared him not only for the work, but for the unique lifestyle it demands. 

A Job with Variety 

I asked Dan to reflect on his time in the profession, curious about what he believed to be some of the best and worst aspects of the job. 

"The best parts are definitely meeting families. Just getting to know families on a personal level. Going to the funerals and visiting with people. That’s my favorite part of the job." 

Dan also highlighted the lack of day-to-day monotony within the job. Everyday seems to be a new day with different challenges and rewards. 

"Another one of my favorite parts is, it’s like different every day. One day we’re painting, the next day we’re embalming, so you don't get too tired of it too quick." 

I believe boredom is more exhausting than being busy. Amongst Funeral Directors, I’ve found it's common to dislike stagnancy. We always want to be doing something, contributing something. 

Before committing to funeral service, Dan noted he used to work at a gas station. A job that he was more than eager enough to leave in the past. 

"I was pumping gas from 10 at night till eight in the morning, four nights a week... It was the exact same thing for 10 hours. Killer. So when I was offered an apprenticeship, I was like, 'Yep, get me out of here.'" 

On the same side of that coin, however, is the constant demand of the profession. It's not uncommon that we spend more time at work than we do with our families. Dan echoed this, commenting for years he struggled with the long hours and after-hour calls. 

Ultimately, connecting with and serving families is the main driving force behind Dan’s passion. Helping him continually build on the legacy of Generations. 

Stay tuned for Part 2, where Dan discusses how Generations serves the LDS faith community and why equality in service is the most important standard he holds for his staff.