I graduated from high school in 1976.  The that time period around the 200th anniversary of our nation brought about profound thought change of women in the workplace.

It was about that time, as you can see by the graphic below, that females caught and eventually passed males in college enrollment.  Up until that time young females were counseled to be nurses not doctors, legal secretaries not attorneys, and teachers — certainly not college presidents.  I mention that last occupation because during my tenure on the University of Minnesota Board of Regents I was part of the Board that hired the first female President in the university’s storied 168 year history.  (An interesting side note is that the University of Minnesota was founded in 1851 by immigrants to provide education for their children a full seven years before Minnesota was granted statehood).

Females have pass Males in college attendance and continue to widen the gap

Some different professions and the demographics of women that led and worked in them changed faster than others.  When I graduated from mortuary school in 1980 with about 40 fellow graduates I don’t believe we had any female graduates in the class.  Today, however, we hear that over 70% of mortuary students in training are female.

And, there is no doubt that women seem to be much more interested in “Business occupations” than ever before.  Part of my research for this article was to find the demographic make-up of the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Business — for decades the domain of enterprising male students.  Last year’s demographic profile indicated that today about 46% of the students enrolled there are female.  You can see the demographics here.

Tom Anderson
Funeral Director Daily

There is also no doubt that the consumer facing side of funeral service has changed to a profession where a grieving family is as likely to work with a female funeral director as they are a male funeral director.  But that is not all — females are now becoming the executive leaders of many Death Care operations.   Of what I believe are the four largest consumer funeral home and cemetery operators in the United States — Service Corporation International, Carriage Services, Everstory Partners, and Park Lawn Corporation — two of them are led by female Chief Executive Officers.  Everstory Partners is led by Lilly Donohue and Park Lawn Corporation is led by Jennifer Hays.

That brings me to the story of “Funeral Women Lead“.  An organization for the women in funeral service has been established and will, in my opinion, pave the way for more women to take leadership roles in the profession.  Funeral directing and the business of funeral homes was not so long ago the complete domain of males.  That is changing and it will be interesting to see how the increasing role of women in management in the profession might change some directions.

Funeral Women Lead has recruited some of the most prominent women in the profession to their management team and board.  This group makes me more excited than ever that funeral service has room for everybody and as a profession we will be better off for getting our leadership from a varied group of individuals.

To access the Funeral Women Lead website click here.

The paradigm shift to female funeral directors has happened right in front of my eyes.  The funeral home I used to own and manage has went from a 100% male licensed funeral director staff when I started to a licensed staff that is now 60% female.  Anecdotally, over my time as the owner of the funeral home I mentored three young people who wanted to, and eventually did, become licensed funeral directors —- all three were female.

More news from the world of Death Care:

Enter your e-mail below to join the 3,199 others who receive Funeral Director Daily articles daily

“A servant’s attitude guided by Christ leads to a significant life”

Funeral Women Lead Partners with Buried in Work™ to Spotlight Women in End-of-Life Professions

August 5, 2025 — Funeral Women Lead is proud to announce a new partnership with Buried in Work™, a national platform focused on estate and end-of-life education, to spotlight women making an impact across the end-of-life professions.

This collaboration is part of Buried in Work’s newly expanded Careers in End-of-Life Professions Information Hub, which showcases over 20 careers that support individuals and families through death, loss, and planning. The Women in End-of-Life Professions Spotlight Series highlights leaders, changemakers, and unsung heroes working in funeral service, hospice, mortuary science, grief counseling, elder law, estate planning, and more.

“Too often, the essential work women do in deathcare goes unnoticed,” said Lisa Baue, founder of Funeral Women Lead. “This partnership is about elevating those stories. The embalmers, the hospice nurses, the grief educators, the attorneys, and so many others who help people navigate the hardest moments with grace and grit.”

Individuals can submit nominations (including self-nominations) using the form at BuriedinWork.com/women. Selected nominees will be featured on Buried in Work’s national website, email campaigns, and social media platforms.

The Careers in End-of-Life Professions Information Hub also features:

• Career spotlights across funeral service, health care, legal, and planning professions
• A national list of accredited mortuary science & funeral service programs
• A list of scholarships related to end-of-life professions
• A comprehensive listing of certifications and licences related to end-of-life professions
• A free events calendar spotlighting industry events
• A free national jobs board (currently in beta)

Whether you’re a student exploring your path, a career changer, or a professional looking to connect with others in the field, the partnership between Funeral Women Lead and Buried in Work™ is designed to inspire, inform, and support the next generation of leaders in end-of-life care.

About Funeral Women Lead:

Funeral Women Lead is on a mission to unleash the greatness of women of the funeral and deathcare professions. It is the first nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing women in funeral and deathcare. Through leadership training, mentoring, wellness programs, and advocacy, it aims to create a more inclusive, empowered future for the profession.

Learn more at: https://funeralwomenlead.org

About Buried in Work:
Buried in Work is a platform and publishing initiative dedicated to making estate planning and end-of-life tasks more accessible, human, and even a little less morbid. Its resources include practical guides, planning kits, national directories, and expert insights on death, legacy, and everything in between.

Learn more at: 

Parting Stone Hosts Private Lab Tour for Women in Deathcare

On Saturday, May 17, 2025, Parting Stone hosted a landmark event in Santa Fe, New Mexico—welcoming nearly 100 attendees of the NFDA Professional Women’s Conference to its laboratory for a private tour. The visit marked one of the first times Parting Stone opened its doors to such a large delegation, offering an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how cremated remains are solidified into collections of 40-80+ stones.

The event was made possible through Parting Stone’s sponsorship of the NFDA Professional Women’s Conference, an annual gathering dedicated to uplifting and connecting women leaders across the funeral profession. You can learn more about the conference on the NFDA website.

Guests arrived on two buses from the conference hotel, greeted by staff members wearing custom “Funeral Directors Rocks” t-shirts—a playful nod to Parting Stone’s flagship service. As attendees waited for their scheduled tours, they were invited to enjoy complimentary refreshments, a specialty drink called “Funeral Directors Rocks,” and curated goodie bags.

Tours departed every 10 minutes, guiding small groups through the entire solidification process from intake to completion. For many funeral professionals, it was their first time seeing the technology and meticulous care behind a process they routinely recommend to families.

Lindsay Harden with Crevasse’s Simple Cremations in Florida reflected on the emotional weight of the experience:

“All who attended the tour of the Parting Stone lab last weekend were forever changed in a way that was not anticipated. Funeral directors all have a fleeting moment of sheer terror at the Post Office when we mail cremated remains away to a third-party vendor to create the product requested by the family who entrusted their most beloved person into our care… During the tour of the Parting Stone lab, those fears were put to rest.”

“We all can now attest to the shared mindset of thoughtful care and consideration within the entire Parting Stone team. The gifts of precision, professionalism, compassion, knowledge, and truly wanting to make the best quality product possible were all extremely evident in our time together.”

That level of personal care was echoed by Jeri Lynn Davenport of Smith Family Funeral Home in Arkansas:

“It was such an honor to be able to visit and tour the Parting Stone lab. To see how the Parting Stone team personally handles each family member was touching. Each person is known by their name—not a number. This shows so much dignity and respect for the deceased.”

Parting Stone’s VP of Production, Kelse Lighthizer, welcomed the tour groups and shared her personal mission to always put families first. From growing the production facility from the ground up to building a team rooted in care, Kelse emphasized that every order is handled with dignity and precision.

CEO and Founder Justin Crowe addressed the group, sharing how powerful it was to see so many women leaders in deathcare gather under one roof:

“Having nearly 100 of the most influential women in funeral service walk through our lab was incredibly meaningful. Some we’ve known for years, some we just met—but all of them are shaping the future of this industry. It was an honor to share what we’re building at Parting Stone with people who care so deeply about families.”

The educational tour has been approved by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice (APFSP) for 0.5 CE credit—a bonus for attendees that underscores the value of the solidified remains option in the modern deathcare profession.

The event was a clear success, offering both inspiration and assurance to funeral professionals exploring the future of memorialization. As Lindsay Harden poignantly summarized, “Parting Stone has the full unwavering trust of our company, and we look forward to continuing to offer this wonderful option to each and every family that uses our services.”

Interested in offering solidified remains at your funeral home? Click here to work with Parting Stone.

Recognizing Remarkable Women: Nominations Open for NFDA Inspiration Award

Brookfield, Wis. – The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) is now accepting nominations for the third annual NFDA Inspiration Award. This prestigious award, presented during the NFDA Professional Women’s Conference, celebrates a distinguished and accomplished woman who has made meaningful contributions to the funeral service profession or a related field. NFDA thanks National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) for generously sponsoring this award. 

Nominations will be accepted online through February 17, 2025. The Inspiration Award recognizes individuals who consistently take the initiative to elevate the funeral service profession. Ideal nominees are enterprising leaders who mentor colleagues, inspire their peers and demonstrate a passion and energy that sets a powerful example for others. They must also have achieved significant accomplishments at the local, state, national or international level. 

“As more women step into leadership roles in funeral service, it’s vital to honor the incredible impact they’re making on this profession,” said NFDA CEO Christine Pepper, MBA, CAE. “The Inspiration Award is a testament to the trailblazers who have broken barriers, mentored others and elevated the standard of excellence in funeral service. NFDA is proud to recognize these extraordinary individuals.” 

“It’s an honor to support this initiative and celebrate women making a profound difference in funeral service,” said Jennifer Kaset, Vice President, Sales and Business Development, NGL. “The Inspiration Award highlights the passion, leadership and dedication that women bring to this profession, and I look forward to seeing this year’s deserving recipient recognized.” 

Nominees must be currently employed in the funeral service profession or a deathcare-related field and have a minimum of five years of experience working directly with families. In addition, nominees must:

• Actively work to elevate the funeral service profession.
• Engage in community and professional service organizations.
• Educate the public about the value of meaningful memorialization and the role of funeral directors.
• Participate in ongoing professional development activities.

 Nominations can be submitted online until 5 p.m. CT on February 17, 2025, at NFDA.org/InspirationAward. A distinguished panel of judges will select the winner, who will receive a complimentary registration for the 2025 NFDA Professional Women’s Conference and up to $1,000 to cover expenses for attending the conference, during which the award will be presented. (The 2025 NFDA Professional Women’s Conference will take place May 15-18 in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico.) 

NFDA is the world’s leading and largest funeral service association, serving 20,000 individual members who represent nearly 11,000 funeral homes in the United States and 49 countries around the world. NFDA is the trusted leader, beacon for ethics and the strongest advocate for the profession. NFDA is the association of choice because it offers funeral professionals comprehensive educational resources, tools to manage successful businesses, guidance to become pillars in their communities and the expertise to foster future generations of funeral professionals. NFDA is headquartered in Brookfield, Wis., and has an office in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.nfda.org.