This as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Allyse Worland, 30, a funeral director licensed in Indiana and Kentucky, who owns Have License Will Travel Continuing Education Provider and is a partner at Continuing Vision. The following has been edited for length and clarity.
I was nine years old when I experienced the first tragic loss in my family.
It was heartbreaking, and I wondered, “How can I make this situation better?”
I was at my local library back home and loved the Ancient Egypt section, which talked about embalmers. A book said, “Modern-day embalmers are sometimes referred to as morticians or funeral directors.”
When I read that sentence, I knew exactly what I would do. I devoted my entire life to pursuing my funeral director’s license.
I’m now a proud first-generation funeral director and embalmer.
The funeral industry used to be male-dominated, but young women are flooding its ranks
We’re going to see a huge demand for funeral directors in the next 10 years because a lot of them are retiring. It’s going to open up several thousands of positions for young funeral directors to step in and make an impact.
When I first got into the profession, it was definitely male-dominated, but the industry is shifting. Around 75% of students enrolling in mortuary programs in 2022 were women. I love that women are occupying so much more space.
Families expect somebody older, usually a male, so when they see somebody who might be their daughter’s age, they chill out.
I’ve also seen how younger generations have brought more life through technology.
We have a tremendous opportunity to educate families on new ideas, such as greener options and disposition methods, that will become more popular in the future. We have the opportunity to shape how we’re going to steer funeral service into the future.
I’m excited for the next generation because, in my opinion, there has never been a better time to be in the funeral service.
I attended a mortuary school in Indiana
I graduated from a school in southern Indiana called Mid-America College of Funeral Service in 2015.
It had really small classes, which was great because I got to know every one of my classmates or if I needed one-on-one time with my professors, then I could.
It is an investment in your education. You’re talking two to four years of college on top of an apprenticeship or an internship, depending on your state. It’s several years of developing your skills and — most of all — your mindset.
To me, the mindset of a funeral director is to lead the family to their new norm. Their life will never be the same after their time with you.
We drive home the fact that funerals are not just a day in a lifetime. They’re an entire lifetime in one single day. We have one shot to make this right.
That’s the ultimate challenge for funeral directors.
There’s something for everyone in the funeral industry
To someone considering going into funeral services, I would say it checks all the boxes.
If you want meaning, not only in your personal life but in your work life, this is the place for you. If you want a community that embraces and wants to cheer you on, join funeral services. If you want to help families and help those around you, come to funeral services.
If you are artistic, you could be an amazing restorative artist or funeral director planning beautiful funerals. If you are more of a science person, then invest in your embalming skills.
I love what I do. This is a lifestyle.
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