About Us
The Association of Women Funeral Directors was formed in 2008, in direct response to the growing numbers of women in funeral service.
In a 2006 article, Death Becomes Her, written for the Columbia News Service; Mike Stevens wrote “Long dominated by men, the business of death is increasingly being handled by women. Last year, roughly 57 percent of new mortuary science students were women, according to the American Board of Funeral Service Education.”
This article followed on the heels of a 2004 piece written for the Christian Science Monitor by staff writer Lisa Leigh Connors, Surprisingly, Women Choose Funeral Studies. Quoting Jacquelyn Taylor, executive director of the New England Institute at Mount Ida College in Massachusetts, Connors writes, “Although it’s still more common to see male funeral directors; that’s changing fast.”
According to Connors, “some (female) students are career-changers looking for a more meaningful line of work. Others have simply been intrigued by the business since they were teenagers. But the bottom line for many women in the field is a deep desire to help people during an emotionally difficult time.”
“Women make up more than half the students at the 54 mortuary colleges nationwide today, compared with 5 percent in 1970, says George Connick, executive director of the American Board of Funeral Service Education.” ~ Lisa Leigh Connors, Surprisingly, Women Choose Funeral Service
From the outset, our intention was two-fold: to strengthen the presence of women in the field, and to support our members in creating highly-successful careers, and more enjoyable lives.
Through webinars, teleseminars, monthly newsletters, and updated blog content, members will obtain career and life-enhancing resources, tools and services.
Membership is open to women funeral service professionals, apprentices, and mortuary college students.
About the Staff
Kim Stacey, Founder and CEO
“As an anthropologist, freelance content and copy writer and funeral home marketing strategist, I’ve had the privilege of working with, and writing for, funeral service professionals for the past six years. During that time, the respect I have for the work, and those who do it, has only deepened.
“It has long been my desire to more completely support the women in the field, who are facing challenges in the workplace, and in balancing their domestic and professional lives. I invite you to join the AWFD, and bring your personality, and professional expertise to our membership. Let’s make 2010 a wonderful year of significant change in all our lives!”
AWFD Strategic Partners
Robin Heppell, the Funeral Futurist
David Wiseman, Web Guy Extraordinaire
Carmen Tsang, Nutscreative Graphic Design
H. Clay Atchison III, Founder, In Lieu of Flowers
Joe Joachim, President, funeralOne
Ryan Thogmartin, Founder, Connecting Directors
Eugene C. Ogrodnik, President and CEO, Pittsburg Institute of Mortuary Science
