Mortuary Science & Funeral Service

05/27/2026

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05/25/2026

Memorial Day is more than the start of summer. It is a day of remembrance for the men and women of our Armed Forces who gave their lives in service to our nation.

As we honor their sacrifice, I also want to recognize the many people who work behind the scenes to ensure our fallen are treated with dignity and respect. From military mortuary affairs personnel who recover and care for our nation’s heroes, to funeral directors, embalmers, transport teams, cemetery staff, and honor guards, countless individuals play a role in bringing loved ones home and helping families through some of life’s most difficult moments.

Today, we remember those who never made it home. We honor their service, their sacrifice, and the families, friends, and communities who continue to carry their memory forward.

05/24/2026

From battlefield burials to modern mortuary operations, the history of Army Mortuary Affairs is a powerful story of dignity, duty, and innovation. Jennifer Lares explores how one man's mission transformed the way the military honors its fallen and how that legacy lives on today.

🔗 Link in the comments

05/05/2026

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04/23/2026

04/10/2026

President Garfield’s Tomb at Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland. Notable for being the only president not entombed but with a viewable casket

04/04/2026

A look into the funerary world of South Germany’s state of Baden-Württemberg, following two young women training as funeral professionals in a family-run funeral home.

This short video offers a glimpse into funeral service in Kornwestheim, where Amelie Merwerth and Hannah Raible are training at Bestattungen Gölz Raible. Both are completing the German apprenticeship to become a Bestattungsfachkraft, a title that translates to funeral service professional. In Germany, this is a structured three-year vocational program that combines hands-on work in a funeral home with formal schooling in areas such as funeral law, hygiene, business operations, and grief support.

Throughout their training, they are involved in every aspect of the profession. This includes preparing caskets, organizing and coordinating services with families, and performing the hygienic care of the deceased. A central concept in German funeral practice is Pietät, meaning dignity and reverence, and it guides how each step is carried out. What stands out in this video is not only the technical nature of the work, but the level of care, empathy, and responsibility expected even from trainees early in their careers. The video and accompanying article were produced by regional German public broadcasting and journalism sources, offering an authentic look into current funeral practice and education in Baden-Württemberg.

Below is the English translation of the video:

“The branches arranged, the flowers in place, the ropes laid out for the casket. For Amelie Mehrwert and Hannah Reible, this is part of their everyday life. Both are training to become funeral service professionals. These are the final preparations before a burial. Everything has to be perfect.

It’s important that everything is secure, that everything is well prepared when the pallbearers arrive with the casket and when the family is present. That is a crucial moment where everything must go right.

But getting there is a long journey. The two show us how varied their training is. In the company workshop, they prepare the caskets. Hannah grew up with this work, it is her family’s business. She is in her first year of training and approaches it with passion.

You try to make the farewell for the family, perhaps from their father or husband, as beautiful as possible. You try to help them remember him well and make that final goodbye as meaningful as it can be.

For Amelie, it is the variety that appealed to her, even during her internship. You would not find all this in an office job.

Their boss also admires how much they enjoy their training. “They do it very well. I am sometimes surprised at how empathetic and selfless they can be at such a young age, how supportive they are. The feedback is incredible.”

Direct contact with the deceased is also part of the job. Here, in hygienic care, Hannah and Amelie wash the body and dress it according to the family’s wishes for the final journey. This means a lot to both of them.

That the deceased is washed again, cared for, their hair done, just as they were in life, I think that is very, very important and has a lot to do with dignity.

This task was challenging for both at the beginning, but it is normal. This is a deceased person, a human being. And it is something completely natural. Now, I no longer have any hesitation.

They also help prepare the funeral service, like here at the cemetery in Kornwestheim. Everything is carefully coordinated with the family.

You want to make sure no mistakes happen. It is exciting, especially behind the scenes, starting the music at the right moment, making sure everything runs smoothly. You do get nervous.

A nervousness you do not see in Hannah or Amelie. Both carry out their training with heart, shaping each final journey as lovingly as possible.”

From a funeral service perspective, what practices or details in this video differ most from those commonly seen in your region?

04/03/2026

These are always interesting pieces to see. Crane and Breed salesman paperweight give aways. Do you have any in your collection? Please share yours.

Crane and Breed fisk metalic burial case / coffin paperweight. Antique, and is considered the “holy grail” of the Crane and Breed collection. Rare and in excellent condition, heavy. See photo for measurement.

03/31/2026

Pet Death Care: A Growing but Often Overlooked Need

Losing a pet is deeply personal. For many, it feels no different than losing a member of the family. What people do not always realize is how complicated the practical side can be.

Today, many owners cannot bury their pets at home. Apartment living, rental agreements, and local regulations often make burial impossible or unsafe. Because of this, services like pet crematories have become essential.

Most pet aftercare falls into a few categories. Private cremation allows ashes to be returned to the owner, while communal cremation does not. Aquamation is a newer and more environmentally gentle option that is becoming more available. Pet cemeteries offer burial where space and access allow. Many providers also offer memorial items such as urns, jewelry, or paw prints.

When a loss does occur, even a simple online search can connect you with local services that will handle your pet’s remains with dignity and help you memorialize and honor their life.

These services exist because people want a respectful way to say goodbye, even when traditional burial is not an option.

At the same time, this area of death care is less regulated than human services. Many families make decisions quickly, often through a veterinary office, without knowing all their options.

Pet death care may not always be talked about, but it reflects something very real. The bond between people and their animals, and the need to honor that bond with care and dignity.

03/15/2026

Across every culture and every period of history, humanity has shared a common practice. We care for our dead.

Anthropologists and sociologists recognize funeral rites as a cultural universal. Every society develops ways to honor those who have died and to support the living who remain. These rituals help families grieve, remember, and begin to find their way forward.

In modern communities, funeral directors help carry out this responsibility. When a family calls, often in the most difficult moment of their lives, we are there to answer questions, provide guidance, and help them navigate decisions that most people never expect to face.

Sometimes that means helping plan a full service that brings a community together to remember a life. Other times it means something much simpler.

At the very least, funeral directors are there to come when the call is made, to bring someone into our care with dignity and respect, and to see that their final disposition is handled properly according to the wishes of the family.

However a family chooses to say goodbye, the responsibility to care for the dead and to support the living remains an important part of every society. Funeral service exists to help carry out that responsibility with compassion, professionalism, and respect.

03/11/2026

Happy National Funeral Directors and Morticians Day!

“The Undertakers Arrive.”

Engravings like this capture a scene that was once common in many homes. Death often occurred within the family residence, and when the undertakers arrived they stepped into rooms filled with grief, uncertainty, and quiet sorrow. Their responsibility was not only the practical care of the deceased, but also guiding families through the first moments after loss with dignity and steadiness.

While funeral service has evolved over time, the heart of the profession remains the same. Funeral directors continue to support families at one of the most difficult points in life, helping them navigate decisions, traditions, and remembrance with care and professionalism.

In 2008, the United States Congress formally recognized March 11 as National Funeral Director Day, establishing a day meant to acknowledge the dedication of funeral professionals and the important role they play within their communities. It serves as a reminder to recognize and appreciate those who quietly carry out this work while helping families through grief and loss.