Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science Names Mark Ivey as New President

Cincinnati, Ohio July 28, 2025 – The Board of Trustees of the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science (CCMS) proudly announces the appointment of Mark Ivey as the new President of the college, effective immediately. Ivey brings a wealth of leadership experience, a deep respect for funeral service education, and a strong vision for the future of the institution.

Mark Ivey succeeds Poul Lemasters, who has served as interim President and will continue to support the transition and strategic initiatives of the college.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mark Ivey as our next President,” said Kathleen Shaffer, President of the CCMS Board of Trustees. “His energy, experience, and genuine passion for education and death care will elevate the legacy of CCMS and position us for continued growth and innovation in preparing tomorrow’s funeral service leaders.”

A seasoned professional with over 25 years in higher education leadership and strategic development, Ivey is known for fostering collaboration, advancing student success, and creating sustainable institutional change.

“Stepping in as interim president has been an honor,” shared Poul Lemasters, who led the institution through a period of transition. “Mark’s appointment is exactly what CCMS needs to continue its mission of excellence. His presence brings stability, inspiration, and a forward-thinking mindset that will serve our students and profession well.”

In accepting the role, Mark Ivey expressed gratitude and enthusiasm: “I am deeply honored to lead Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, an institution with such a rich history and impact on funeral service education. I look forward to working alongside the dedicated faculty, staff, students, alumni, and partners to build on the strong foundation already in place. Together, we will shape a bold and compassionate future for our profession.”

Under Ivey’s leadership, CCMS will continue to expand academic offerings, enhance student services, and strengthen its national reputation as a premier institution in funeral service education.

Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science is an institution which endeavors to develop end of life professionals who can function with distinction within their chosen profession and within the community of life. The College strives to provide the best education possible, and focuses on offerings that provide convenience, accessibility and outreach to learners. For more information about Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, visit www.ccms.edu.

Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science Announces Leadership Transition

Cincinnati, OH – March 27, 2025 – The Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science (CCMS) announces the resignation of Jack E. Lechner, Jr. from his position as President and Chief Executive Officer.  Jack served in this role since January 2016, during which he led the institution with dedication and  vision. Under his leadership, CCMS expanded educational offerings, enhanced student support  services, and strengthened partnerships within the funeral service profession. 

We are grateful for Jack’s commitment to advancing CCMS and his unwavering dedication to the students, faculty, and staff. His passion for funeral service education has left a lasting impact, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors. 

The CCMS Board of Trustees has appointed Poul Lemasters as interim President and Chief Executive Officer. Poul has served on the Board of Trustees since 2019 and has temporarily resigned that position to assume this leadership role. 

Poul brings extensive experience in the funeral service profession, combining legal expertise with practical knowledge. As an attorney and licensed funeral director, Poul has been a prominent consultant and educator, guiding professionals through complex legal and operational challenges, and has helped businesses improve processes, manage risks, and achieve sustainable growth. His  background positions him well to maintain CCMS’s momentum while the Board of Trustees  conducts a comprehensive search for a permanent President and CEO. 

“I am honored to step into this role during such an important time for CCMS,” said Poul Lemasters.  “I look forward to working closely with our dedicated faculty, staff, and students to continue our mission of advancing funeral service education and preparing future leaders in the profession.” 

The Board of Trustees is committed to ensuring a seamless transition and continuing CCMS’s mission to educate and inspire the next generation of funeral service professionals. 

The Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science is an institution which endeavors to develop end of life professionals who can function with distinction within their chosen profession and within the community of life. The College strives to provide the best education possible, and focuses on offerings that provide convenience, accessibility and outreach to learners. You can see more about The Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science at www.CCMS.edu.  

College Basketball & Funeral Rap | FFFW 180

DISCLAIMER: None of the F’s in FFFW stand for “facts.” Enjoy the satire.

It’s the big weekend for college basketball — and I predict my bracket will be busted by the time you read this. Anyway, let’s get rolling!

Three Things Your Funeral Home Can Do to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse

1) When the zombies start coming, take down any signs that say “Funeral Home.” IDK … These guys might have some hard feelings about the whole embalming process.

2) Put offroad tires on the hearse. You should do this anyway because it would be cool, but definitely helpful if you’re taking short cuts running away from the zombie heard.

3) Get MemoryShare. Wait … what?

Yep. Here’s why. Chances are the zombie apocalypse will mean spotty WiFi. MemoryShare records livestreams directly to your streaming device (iPad) so you will still have a copy of the service even if the WIFI goes down. That’s right. You can stream through the apocalypse with confidence!

Learn more about what we do here!

Funeral Director “Flex Rap”

Most rappers have at least a few songs where they just “flex rap” the whole time. This means they just brag about themselves the whole time. So I got thinking “what would this look like for a funeral director?”

So, here it is:

“In the kingdom of the departed, I’m the crown jewel,
My embalming game sharp, making the old school drool.
Eco-friendly plots with a view, my landscapes are divine,
While you’re stuck in the past, I innovate and redefine.

Livestreaming goodbyes, virtual candles in the night,
My tech game’s so tight, turning sorrow into light.
You’re playing bingo, I’m 4D chess in the dark,
Setting benchmarks, leaving indelible marks.

Your hearses crawl, my fleet flies on the freeway,
In the race to eternal rest, I lead, you stray.
I script the final chapter with a golden pen,
In this symphony of silence, I’m the maestro, amen.

Here’s a nod to the competition, always a step behind,
In the art of farewells, it’s my name that’s signed.
Crafting legacies, with a mastery that’s refined,
In the echelon of farewells, it’s my light that’s shined.”

Drop a few of these bars at your next team meeting.

Trivia

Get it right and you’ll see a donkey. Get it wrong and you’ll get an explosion. The odds of getting a perfect bracket for March basketball is one in 9.2 quintillion. That’s a big number. So here’s a question that involves a big number.

According to my ChatGPT research, how many pounds of bodies are buried on the earth?

A) 73.8 Billion
B) 7.38 Trillion
C) 738 Million

You Otter Be Proud

Here are some good things going on in the profession.

1. Talla Kuperman Creates Exquisitely Unique Jewelry With Love and a Happiness Guarantee
2. Horse-Drawn Carriage Helps Those Grieving
3. Rockland County moves to improve, restore several abandoned cemeteries