Martin Sauls - "Like Father, Like Son"

Written By Linious Martin Sauls IV
A.K.A.
Marty Sauls
Photography Courtesy of Marty Sauls
and Donna Huffman

Martin Sauls lll was raised in his family’s home above the Sauls Family Funeral Home in Ridgeland, SC. This is where he learned respect, compassion and kindness for members of his community. He learned from his father who learned from his father and he knew he wanted to teach his own son someday. Martin joined the family business in 1968 and after the death of his father Martin Sauls Jr., he was appointed to serve his father’s unexpired term as Jasper County Coroner. He was elected to the position in 1981 and has been coroner since.

In 2002 the new Sauls Funeral Home was built on Simmonsville Road in Bluffton.

While we celebrate Father’s Day in June, the Bluffton Breeze thought it most appropriate to ask Marty Sauls to tell us about his relationship with his Dad. He was delighted to share his thoughts with us.

nlike many father and son businesses; Sauls Funeral Home has had four generations of father and sons. Like my grandfather and great-grandfather before, Dad (Martin Sauls, III) and I have worked together since I graduated from college nearly 12 years ago.

I can remember my first day at work like it was yesterday. I came in on a Saturday morning. The U-Haul was still full of my stuff from college and my car on the trailer behind it. We were extremely busy. Dad gave me a hand shake and asked me to walk out onto the front porch of the funeral home for a few minutes to talk. I immediately became nervous, for this usually meant I was in trouble. As we sat he talked and I listened. Imagine that! Our conversation consisted of my future here and what he expected of me, but what I really remember most was him telling me “son, not working with your family says a lot, but working with your family says a lot too.” After that was said he just smiled and we both laughed aloud. Ever since that day, Dad and I have worked together, side by side.

Being a mere 23 years old, I was eager to impress Dad; so he would not have any reservations on whether the hard earned money he spent on college was a complete waste. I quickly began to realize my education on the funeral business was really just beginning. What I am trying to say is learning out of a book is one thing, but hands on experience and training is another. My Dad, being the patient and polite gentlemen he is, has always taken the time to help me learn and grow. Being able to assist a family during the most traumatic experience in their life is a rewarding experience in a sense, for a Funeral Director. When a family member comes up to me and thanks me for a job well done, I feel as if I have made a real difference in a person’s life. That is why continuing our family tradition has always meant so much to me. This is a lesson only my Dad could teach.

I guess following my Dad step for step has paid off for me. For nearly 12 years, if he stops I usually run into him. It’s kind of comical if you think about it. He doesn’t pick on me about it too much because he did the same thing with his Dad. He has always said, “It’s the only way to learn”.

Since the death of my grandfather in 1980, Dad has dedicated his entire life to the family business that his grandfather started over 100 years ago. He has always set a good example for me to follow, always giving me advice to enable me with the tools I need to succeed in our profession. It never fails; whether we’re at work or in a restaurant, someone who knows my Dad will say to me “you certainly have some big shoes to fill.” All I can ever say is, “You’re right.”

Being able to have not only a father / son relationship, but a professional relationship with my Dad has been an extremely rewarding experience for me. Dad and I always enjoy working together and I’m proud to be a part of the business he has worked so hard to make sure it continues to grow.

Over the years, Dad has made many sacrifices, only to benefit me. Being a father of two beautiful girls myself, I guess sacrifice is a fatherly trait all of us Dads have. So, on this Father’s day, take a moment to remember the sacrifices your Dad made for you and tell him, thank you Dad.