AND if death should come like a thief in the night, the five, all-female Dychangco siblings swear not to get caught dead unprepared. It isn’t that unearthly, after all, given the right ounce of girl power, so to speak.

This is the revelation. Two of the five, Kate Dychangco-Anzani and Sarah Dychangco-Gothong, debunk the real score behind the amount of labor required in a mortuary.

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Then inevitably, the unanswered question will be raised once again: Are there ghosts?

“Growing up in this industry, we have not experienced any spooky experiences. Being Christians, we do the usual rituals of Catholicism, like prayer services and Mass in our branches.

To our embalmers and funeral directors, we have emphasized the importance of praying prior to caring for the deceased.

“Spirits are everywhere, but we believe that it is a matter of respecting them,” says eldest sister Kate, Cosmopolitan Memorial Chapels vice-president.

In a traditional Filipino circle, young girls were prohibited from talking about death, but Kate and Sarah could already say a mouthful. And they would never cringe at the sight of caskets piled up like regular merchandise.

From an early age, they have been exposed to the family-owned funeral parlor that has now been passed on to the fourth generation.

“A hearse was just another car to us. The deceased, a client that we had to take care of and service, and really, hospitality in another form where emotions are cushioned,” she continues.

Time management is of the essence. Sarah, who holds a degree in Mortuary Management from Cypress College, juggles her time between working as Cosmopolitan’s finance vice-president and as a trainer at Pacific Center for Advanced Studies.

On the other hand, Kate is on the frontline. Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays are allotted for branch visits, studying the company’s research and development data. She answers conference calls and meetings from potential franchisors or suppliers - whatever it takes, e-mail or Skype. Tuesdays and Thursdays are devoted to the family’s hospitality establishments and manpower agencies.

But these ladies aren’t hoarding the success of the organization (all 20 branches nationwide) crediting the tandem of their grandfather and father, who started it 59 years ago.

“Our father, Renato, Jr., set up the platform; we are the ones generating the system and the control, so that it runs smoothly. My sisters and I are licensed embalmers, DOH (Department of Health) -accredited trainers, and have immersed in the development and strategic alliance of the business,” Kate explains.

Society’s view on the funeral industry has metamorphosed into an acceptable way of living. She continues: “My father told us about how he used to isolate himself and how socializing was difficult in his early childhood.

“But the perception has been changed. In our generation, it is considered unique and would always be a topic of curiosity.

Nobody treated us indifferently. We feel that we receive more respect in our generation.”

Quite unusual for a coffee table conversation, indeed, but it does heighten curiosity: When the body is declared dead, what’s next?

Quick action is definitely needed since the body decomposes when the vital organs shut down. Aftercare comes in: To disinfect, to sanitize, and to preserve.

Kate points out: “We are not authorized to remove any body part unless government authorities step in. We do not remove organs and throw them to the pigs.” she adds with a laugh.

Morbid thoughts aside, wouldn’t you be reassured that you’d have a comfortable trip to the afterlife?