Category: News

News Category

[Brent Taylor] What does a funeral director do?

[Editor’s Note] Brent Taylor (Memphis-R) is a Republican Tennessee State Senator representing District 31. It is said that his career experience includes working as a funeral director. Let’s see what a funeral director does.


A funeral director performs a wide range of duties related to organizing and conducting funeral services. Their work involves planning, coordinating, and managing all aspects of a person’s final arrangements while also providing emotional support to grieving families.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of what a funeral director does:

🗂️ 1. Meets with the Family

  • Consultation: Meets with the deceased’s family to discuss their wishes, religious or cultural traditions, budget, and the type of service desired (e.g., burial, cremation, memorial service).

  • Guidance: Explains options for caskets, urns, flowers, music, obituaries, and more.

📑 2. Handles Legal and Administrative Work

  • Death Certificate: Prepares and files the death certificate with local or state authorities.

  • Permits: Secures burial or cremation permits.

⚰️ 3. Prepares the Body

  • Embalming (if requested): Preserves the body for viewing or transport.

  • Dressing and Cosmetology: Dresses the deceased and applies makeup if an open-casket viewing is planned.

  • Casketing: Places the body in the casket respectfully and professionally.

🕯️ 4. Plans and Directs the Funeral Service

  • Ceremony Coordination: Arranges the time and location of services—funeral, wake, visitation, graveside, or memorial.

  • Clergy or Celebrants: Works with religious leaders or celebrants to conduct services.

  • Music and Readings: Coordinates music, prayers, eulogies, and other ceremonial elements.

  • Obituary Notices: Helps write and publish obituaries in newspapers or online.


🚗 5. Manages Transportation and Logistics

  • Hearse and Procession: Arranges transportation of the body to the funeral home, church, or cemetery.

  • Family Vehicles: Organizes limousines or other transportation for family members.

  • Cemetery Coordination: Works with cemetery staff to prepare the burial site or arrange cremation services.

💬 6. Provides Emotional and Practical Support

  • Grief Support: Offers comfort and, in some cases, connects families to counseling resources.

  • Follow-Up: Some funeral directors maintain contact with families for aftercare, including memorial anniversaries or grief resources.

🏢 7. Manages the Funeral Home (if applicable)

  • Oversees day-to-day operations: staffing, scheduling, inventory, compliance with health codes, and financial management.

Summary:

A funeral director is both a service provider and a caregiver, combining logistical skill with compassion. They handle the behind-the-scenes details while making sure the family has space to mourn and honor their loved one.

Would you like a real-life example of how a funeral director might handle a service, or an outline of a funeral director’s daily schedule?


The Memphis Times
https://memphistimes.org

Published: April 17, 2025, Thursday, 04/17/2025, at 11:37PM.

Reference:

“What does a funeral director do?”, https://chatgpt.com, Retrieved April 17, 2025, Thursday, 04/17/2025, at 11:37PM.

“A City on Edge”: Memphis Confronts a Crisis of Crime and Trust

Below is a crime and justice–focused version of the Memphis news article, tailored for publication in a newspaper or digital outlet. This version centers on public safety, systemic issues, and reform efforts, while maintaining the city’s broader context.

“A City on Edge”: Memphis Confronts a Crisis of Crime and Trust

By Staff Writer
Memphis, Tenn. — April 16, 2025

As the sun sets over the Mississippi River, the streets of Memphis bear the weight of a crisis that has come to define the city’s present—and could shape its future. Behind the soulful rhythm of blues and barbecue, Memphis is fighting a battle for safety, justice, and public trust.

With more than 300 homicides reported in 2024, Memphis once again ranks among the most violent cities in the United States. But beneath the statistics lie deeper questions about inequality, institutional failure, and the future of policing in America’s urban South.

“We’re Tired of Burying Our Children”

In Frayser, Orange Mound, and other historically marginalized neighborhoods, gun violence is not just a headline—it’s a daily reality. For families like the Hendersons, who lost a teenage son to a stray bullet last summer, the pain is personal and the frustration is palpable.

“We’re tired of burying our children,” said Patrice Henderson, whose 16-year-old son was killed walking home from a corner store. “And we’re tired of promises that never come true.”

City officials have pledged action. Newly elected Mayor Paul Young has unveiled a public safety strategy that combines traditional law enforcement with investment in community programs, youth mentorship, and mental health services. But residents remain divided on whether change is truly on the horizon.

The Policing Paradox

The Memphis Police Department (MPD) has been under intense scrutiny in the wake of several high-profile incidents, including the 2023 death of Tyre Nichols, who died after a violent encounter with police officers during a traffic stop.

That tragedy renewed calls for deep police reform—not only in Memphis but across the country. In response, MPD disbanded its controversial SCORPION unit and pledged to overhaul officer training and accountability systems. But activists and civil rights groups argue that systemic change has been slow and uneven.

“There can be no safety without justice,” said Rev. Alisa Greene, a Memphis-based clergy leader and community advocate. “You can’t rebuild trust while continuing to operate under a culture of aggression.”

Roots of the Crisis

Experts point to a complex interplay of poverty, educational disparities, underemployment, and generational trauma as key drivers of violence. Memphis, where nearly one in four residents lives below the poverty line, has long struggled with disinvestment in public schools, limited economic mobility, and strained social services.

“This is not just a policing issue—it’s a policy failure,” said Dr. Marcus Taylor, a criminologist at the University of Memphis. “If we don’t address root causes, we’ll keep chasing symptoms.”

Community Solutions Emerging

Despite the grim headlines, hope is not lost. Across the city, grassroots organizations are stepping in where institutions have faltered. Programs like Heal901, Advance Memphis, and Youth Villages are working directly with at-risk youth, offering job training, mentorship, and mental health support.

Faith-based coalitions and neighborhood groups are also organizing regular peace walks, resource fairs, and conflict mediation workshops—small but vital steps toward community resilience.

“What you see in Memphis isn’t just violence,” said James Lawson, a veteran activist. “You see people fighting back—with love, with strategy, and with everything they’ve got.”

A City at a Crossroads

As Memphis charts its course forward, the path is anything but easy. The balance between safety and civil rights, development and equity, enforcement and reform remains fragile.

But for a city shaped by struggle and survival, there is a growing recognition that true public safety must come from the community—not just from the badge.

“We don’t need more fear,” said Henderson. “We need more care, more justice, and a city that’s finally willing to fight for all of us—not just some.”


The Memphis Times
https://memphistimes.org

Published: April 16, 2025, Wednesday, 04/16/2025, at 3:50PM.

Reference:

“You are a journalist for a newspaper. Please, write an news ariticle about Memphis. I can use your writing for a news article.”, “a version tailored to a specific angle (e.g., crime and justice)”, https://chatgpt.com, Retrieved April 16, 2025, Wednesday, 04/16/2025, at 3:50PM.

Memphis at a Crossroads: A City Grappling With Its Past, Present, and Future

By Staff Writer
Memphis, Tenn. — April 16, 2025

Memphis, a city steeped in history and culture, stands today at a pivotal moment. Known for its pivotal role in American music, civil rights, and commerce, the city faces a complex mix of opportunity and challenge as it contends with issues ranging from violent crime and economic disparity to rapid development and cultural renewal.

A City of Legacy

From the soulful echoes of Beale Street to the hallowed ground of the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel, Memphis remains a symbol of resilience and transformation. It is the city where blues gave birth to rock ’n’ roll, and where voices for justice rose after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968.

“Memphis has always been a city that matters,” says Dr. Sharon Wilson, a historian at the University of Memphis. “Its struggles and triumphs are a reflection of America’s larger story.”

Present-Day Tensions

Yet today, that story is one of contradiction. Memphis continues to battle one of the highest violent crime rates among major U.S. cities. In 2024 alone, Memphis recorded over 300 homicides—many of them concentrated in historically underserved neighborhoods.

City officials, including Mayor Paul Young, have pledged to address systemic causes through expanded youth programs, police reform, and investment in mental health services. But critics argue that change has been slow and that distrust in local law enforcement remains high.

“Public safety and public trust must go hand in hand,” said Mayor Young in a recent press conference. “We can’t solve one without the other.”

Economic Transformation

Despite these challenges, Memphis is also experiencing an economic rebirth. The city’s logistics sector, anchored by FedEx’s global hub, continues to thrive. New investments in tech and biomedical research have also positioned Memphis as a rising star in the innovation economy.

Downtown and Midtown neighborhoods are seeing a wave of revitalization, with new restaurants, apartments, and cultural spaces drawing both tourists and young professionals. However, gentrification has sparked fears of displacement among long-time residents.

“We love the growth,” says Angela Carter, a South Memphis resident, “but we don’t want to be priced out of our own history.”

Cultural Resilience

Meanwhile, Memphis’ deep cultural roots remain its most enduring strength. From Stax Records to the Memphis Grizzlies, the city’s influence resonates far beyond its borders.

Local artists, musicians, and activists continue to shape the civic dialogue, using creativity as a tool for healing and change. Annual events like Memphis in May and the Beale Street Music Festival bring global attention, even as local leaders work to ensure the benefits reach all corners of the city.

Looking Ahead

As Memphis moves forward, the central question remains: Can it overcome entrenched inequality while embracing modern growth?

“It’s not an either-or,” says community organizer James Lawson. “It’s about building a Memphis where opportunity, justice, and culture all rise together.”

For this storied city on the Mississippi River, the next chapter is still being written—but its people, proud and persistent, are determined to shape it.


The Memphis Times
https://memphistimes.org

Published: April 16, 2025, Wednesday, 04/16/2025, at 3:44PM.

Reference:

“You are a journalist for a newspaper. Please, write an news ariticle about Memphis. I can use your writing for a news article.”, https://chatgpt.com, Retrieved April 16, 2025, Wednesday, 04/16/2025, at 3:44PM.

The Story

This was, is, and will be a very special story.

This is a special story to which the Memphians, the Tennessians, & the Americans have to pay attention.

1. <Who are the suspects?>

There were and are more than several or multiple suspects in terms of the allegations/possibilities/issues of the related crime, and/or circumstances.

Mr. Hwang will mention the suspects one by one over the course of the writings in the future.

However, the first suspect is an insurance company.

The name of the insurance company is StateFarm Insurance company.

The second suspect is an insurance company, too.

The name of the insurance company is Trexis Insurance company.

The third suspect is an hospital.

The name of the hospital is Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis.

The fourth suspect is a law firm.

The name of the law firm is Morgan & Morgan.

The fifth suspects are lawyers/attorneys.

The sixth suspects are police officers, their bosses, or other law enforcements persons.

The seventh suspects are judges.

The eighth suspects are corporate CEOs, executives, chairmans/chairwomens, or/and their managers.

The ninth suspects are psychopaths and sociopaths behind them above.


To be continued… almost everyday…

(This story began to be written on October 20, 2024. And it will be written or updated little by little or gradually almost everyday or every other day from now on.

The related circumstances were and are extremely complicated. Therefore, Mr. Hwang could not begin to write or organize every details about the circumstances until as of October 20, 2024.

However, he would like to begin to collect every information & the details, and present them to the general public.)

(To be continued…)

Written by Mr. Hwang.

Lastly/recently updated: October 24, 2024, Thursday, at 5:38PM.

Originally/firstly published: October 20, 2024, Sunday, at 9:53PM.

[News] The Criminal Case of the Defendents in Tyre Nichols’ Case

<Case Information>

CRIMINAL CASE #: 2:23-cr-20191-MSN All Defendants

Court: U.S. District Court Western District of Tennessee (Memphis)

Judge: Mark S. Norris

Date Filed: 09/12/2023

The motion to change venue and for alternative relief by Demetrius Haley was filed on January 18, 2024.

The motion dismiss Counts 1 and 2 for Vagueness and Insufficiency by Emmitt Martin, III. (Johnson, Stephen) was filed on February 7, 2024.

The total of 217 documents were filed until March 6, 2024.

<Counts>

18 U.S. Code § 242
18 U.S. Code § 1512(b)(3)
18 U.S. Code § 1512(k)

[Links about the law]

18 U.S. Code § 242 – Deprivation of rights under color of law

18 U.S. Code § 1512 – Tampering with a witness, victim, or an informant
18 U.S. Code § 1512(b)(3)
18 U.S. Code § 1512(k)

18 U.S. Code § 2 – Principals

[Count 1]
Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law: Excessive Force and Failure to Intervene

[Count 2]
Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law: Deliverate Indifference

[Count 3]
Conspiracy to Witness-Tamper

[Count 4]
Obstruction of Justice: Witness-Tampering

Written by Mr. Hwang

The Memphis Times
www.memphistimes.org

MemphisTV
www.memphistv.org

AmericanTV
www.americantv.org

Published: March 7, 2024

[Reference]

Statutes Enforced by the Criminal Section (civil rights division, U.S. DOJ)



[News] About the Litigation of the Tyre Nichols’ Case

The Times tried to check the current or latest status of Mr. Tyre Nichols’ case in the federal court on March 6, 2024. (The State case is different from this Federal case.)

The civil complaint was filed on April 19, 2023. And until today on March 6, 2024, the total of 161 documents were filed in the docket of the court.

This is a civil action. The jury trial has been set on January 27, 2025, Monday, at 09:30 AM in Courtroom 4, in Memphis, Tennessee before Judge Mark S. Norris according to the court docket.

The City of Memphis and Memphis police chief, Ms. Cerelyn Davis filed the motion to dismiss on July 7, 2023, while arguing in the memorandum in support of the motion, “The primary question that this suit presents, however, is whether the City should be civilly liable for Mr. Nichols’s death under 42 U.S.C. § 1983” and “Although this situation is tragic, the answer is no.” (from the page 2 of the memorandum.)

Plaintiff filed, on August 14, 2023, the “PLAINTIFF’S RESPONSE IN OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO DISMISS.”

And the City of Memphis and Chief Cerelyn Davis filed, on August 14, 2023, “REPLY IN SUPPORT OF MOTION TO DISMISS OF THE CITY OF MEMPHIS, CHIEF CERELYN DAVIS……”

Defendant Haley filed his initial disclosures on October 17, 2023.

By the way, the federal criminal trial is scheduled for September 9, 2024.

And defendent Desmond Mills, Jr.’s plea agreement in the Federal Criminal proceedings has been accepted.

These are the basic information of the case as below.

Court:
U.S. District Court Western District of Tennessee (Memphis)

Case Number:
2:23-cv-02224-MSN-atc

Plaintiff v. Defendants:
Wells v. CITY OF MEMPHIS et al

Judges:
Mark S. Norris, presiding
Annie T. Christoff, referral

Date filed: 04/19/2023
Date of last filing: 03/01/2024

Cause: 28:1331 Federal Question: Other Civil Rights

Plaintiff:
RowVaughn Wells
(Individually and as Administratrix Ad Litem of the Estate of Tyre Deandre Nichols, deceased.)

represented by:

Antonio Romanucci (ROMANUCCI & BLANDIN, LLC)

Bhavani Raveendran (ROMANUCCI & BLANDIN, LLC)

Brooke Cluse (BEN CRUMP LAW, PLLC)

Bryce Thomas Hensley (STINAR GOULD GRIECO & HENSLEY, PLLC IL) (TERMINATED: 01/25/2024)

Sarah M. Raisch (ROMANUCCI & BLANDIN, LLC)

David Louis Mendelson , I (MENDELSON LAW FIRM)


Defendant:

CITY OF MEMPHIS (a municipality)

represented by:

Bruce McMullen (BAKER, DONELSON, BEARMAN, CALDWELL & BERKOWITZ, P.C.)

Freeman B. Foster (BAKER DONELSON)

Jennie Vee Silk (BAKER DONELSON BEARMAN CALDWELL & BERKOWITZ, PC)

Defendant:
Chief Cerelyn Davis (in her official capacity)

represented by:

Bruce McMullen

Freeman B. Foster

Jennie Vee Silk


Defendant:

Emmitt Martin, III

represented by:

Florence M. Johnson (JOHNSON AND JOHNSON, PLLC)


Defendant:

Officer Demetrius Haley (in his individual capacity)

represented by:

Stephen R. Leffler (LAW OFFICE OF STEPHEN R. LEFFLER, P.C.)

Defendant:

Justin Smith (in his individual capacity)

represented by:

Martin W. Zummach (SPARKMAN ZUMMACH, P.C.)


Defendant:

Desmond Mills, Jr. (in his individual capacity)

represented by:

Clyde W. Keenan (KEENAN LAW & CONSULTING)

Defendant:

Tadarrius Bean (in his individual capacity)

represented by:

John Keith Perry , Jr. (PERRY GRIFFIN, PC)


Defendant:

Preston Hemphill (in his individual capacity)

represented by:

Deborah E. Godwin (GODWIN MORRIS LAURENZI & BLOOMFIELD, P.C.)

Mary Elizabeth McKinney (GODWIN MORRIS LAURENZI & BLOOMFIELD, P.C.)

Defendant:

Robert Long (in his individual capacity)

represented by:

Darrell J. O’Neal (LAW OFFICE OF DARRELL J. O’NEAL)

Defendant:

JaMichael Sandridge (in his individual capacity)

represented by:

Laura Elizabeth Smittick (SMITTICK LAW FIRM)

Defendant:

Michelle Whitaker (in her individual capacity)

represented by:

Robert L. J. Spence , Jr (ROBERT L. J. SPENCE, JR.)

Andrew Mark Horvath (MORGAN & MORGAN – MEMPHIS, LLC) (TERMINATED: 11/15/2023)

Jarrett Michael Dean Spence (SPENCE PARTNERS)

Defendant:

DeWayne Smith (in his individual capacity and as an agent of the City of Memphis)

represented by:

Deborah E. Godwin

Mary Elizabeth McKinney


Written by Mr. Hwang

MemphisTV
www.memphistv.org

The Memphis Times
www.memphistimes.org

AmericanTV
www.americantv.org

Published: March 6, 2024, Wednesday, at 12:43AM.



[News] The Art Show, “Creating Generational Wealth”


An art show was hosted on Feb. 23, 2024 at Ink Therapy 901 in Memphis, TN.

The concept was “Creating Generational Wealth.” This art show was curated by Mr. David Yancy.

Ink therapy 901 is a tattoo and piercing shop in Memphis, Tennessee.

Ink therapy 901 tattoos and piercings
www.inktherapy901.com
Phone: (901) 661-3005
Address: 485 N Hollywood St, Memphis, TN 38112
E-mail: dy3@inktherapy901.com

Published: February 25, 2024, at 9:42PM

The Memphis Times
www.memphistimes.org

MemphisTV
www.memphistv.org

[Project] A Documentary about Tyre Nichols’ Case

MemphisTV is considering to, would like to, or/and is going to make and produce a documentary(documentaries) about Tyre Nichols and his case.

Killing of Tyre Nichols: It is said that on January 7, 2023, Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old black man, was fatally injured by police officers in Memphis, Tennessee, dying three days later.

Tyre Nichols protests: It is said that protests over the killing of Tyre Nichols began on January 27, 2023, following the release of police body camera and surveillance footage showing five Black officers from the Memphis Police Department beating Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man.

Documentary film: It is said that a documentary film or documentary is a non-fictional motion-picture intended to “document reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction, education or maintaining a historical record”.

Ken Burns: It is said that Kenneth Lauren Burns (born July 29, 1953) is an American filmmaker known for his documentary films and television series, many of which chronicle American history and culture.

Ken Burns’ documentary series: It is said that his widely known documentary series include The Civil War (1990), Baseball (1994), Jazz (2001), The War (2007), The National Parks: America’s Best Idea (2009), Prohibition (2011), The Roosevelts (2014), The Vietnam War (2017), and Country Music (2019). He was said to be also executive producer of both The West (1996), and Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies (2015). It is said that Burns’s documentaries have earned two Academy Award nominations (for 1981’s Brooklyn Bridge and 1985’s The Statue of Liberty) and have won several Emmy Awards, among other honors.

MemphisTV and Tyre Nichols’ Case: MemphisTV and the Memphis Times are designed or intended to serve the local communities around Memphis and Shelby County in Tennessee in the U.S.A. It is one of the ways through which those local media can contribute to the local communities to try to make or produce such a documentary and deal with such issues, creatively or critically, including, but not limited to Tyre Nichols’ case.

The topics or issues which can be addressed in the documentary of Tyre Nichols.

– The story of Tyre Nichols’ life.
– The death of Tyre Nichols.
– Memphis Police Department.
– The culture of/in the local law enforcement agencies.
– The reality and culture of manipulation of records in the local governments.
– Why and how Tyre Nichols was dead.
– The impact, sensation, reverberation, legacy of his death.
– The moral duty of those who survived.
– What are you going to do?

Production period: 12 month ~ 24 month.

Production budget: 50,000 dollars ~ 750,000 dollars.

Production media: AmericanTV, MemphisTV, and the Memphis Times.

Producer: Mr. Hwang.

Director: Mr. Hwang or another director.

Published: June 13, 2023

Mr. Hwang visited the University of Mississippi School of Law 


Mr. Hwang visited the University of Mississippi School of Law on or about November 7, 2022.

He would like to go to a law school in the United States when he can apply.

There are two law schools around Memphis, TN.

One is the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in Memphis, Tennessee.

And the other is the University of Mississippi School of Law in Oxford, Mississippi.

Hwang prefers the latter to the former.

But the former is located in downtown in Memphis, which means it is more convenient to commute.

Hwang likes law, libraries, schools, colleges, universities, and law schools.

Hwang is the publisher and editor of the Times.

Written by Mr. Hwang

Published: March 3, 2023