The face of death care is shifting. Increasing numbers of women, people of color and career changers are entering a field once dominated by male-led, family-run businesses. This transformation is reflected in enrollment in CCBC’s Mortuary Science program, Maryland’s only accredited associate degree of its kind. Students gain hands-on experience and comprehensive training in areas such as cultural practices, embalming, restorative art, law and business. The program’s in-person format encourages lively discussion, fosters close connections and deepens students' understanding of the profession.
One CCBC student helping to break industry stereotypes is Melissa Brennan. The first in her family to pursue a career in death care, she was driven by a desire to ensure grieving families and their loved ones receive the best care possible.
“I attended a friend’s funeral shortly before what would have been his 21st birthday,” she recalls. “The memory I took away wasn’t comfort but more grief. It just didn’t look like him. I remember thinking, ‘This could have been done differently. It should have been done differently.’” That moment sparked her passion to become a funeral director who can bring peace, not more pain, to grieving families.
In addition to earning her associate degree in mortuary science, Melissa is gaining hands-on experience at a funeral home under a sponsored license, applying her classroom skills in real-world situations.
“At my job, I recently helped restore someone with a serious facial injury,” Melissa shares. “The funeral director praised a more experienced restorative artist, thinking they had done the work. Knowing I did a good job and that the family will remember their loved one as they were in life felt amazing.”
Melissa’s experience highlights the multidimensional nature of funeral service.
“Some days you’re like an interior designer, arranging flowers and moving chairs. Other days you’re like a makeup artist. You do a lot of different things, which keeps it interesting." - Melissa Brennan, Student, Mortuary Science
Guiding Melissa and her classmates is a team of seasoned instructors who embody the program’s commitment to real-world excellence. Among them is Edwin Jackson, a licensed funeral director and embalmer whose own path began with a summer job washing cars at a funeral home. With degrees in funeral service and African American studies, and currently working toward a Ph.D. in history, Jackson brings a rich blend of practical skill and cultural insight to his embalming and restorative art classes.
He is excited to usher in a new crop of caring professionals into the field.
“About 80% of my students are women and many are career changers, from law clerks to makeup artists. If funeral directors aren’t actively recruiting women, they’re falling behind.” - Edwin Jackson, Instructor, Mortuary Science
Another key faculty member, Drew Osmeyer, balances running his family’s funeral supply business with teaching business courses in the program. A CCBC alum and former president of the Maryland State Funeral Directors Association, he is also inspired by the new faces entering the field.
“Those who come to this program without a funeral services background are people who feel called to this work. They’re passionate about it. They’re on social media sharing what they do and demystifying funeral care. It’s really great to see.” - Drew Osmeyer, Instructor, Mortuary Science
Like Osmeyer, Jackson is also encouraged that the image of the industry is changing.
“There are lots of myths around this industry,” Jackson says. “But in it, you’ll meet some really great people. We’re not somber or emotionless. We’re real people. When you join this industry, you become part of a supportive, tight-knit community.”
With programs like CCBC's, new generations of funeral service professionals are becoming skilled and ready to serve with skill, compassion and dignity.
For those curious about this unique and vital profession, CCBC invites prospective students to attend an information session and explore the many paths within mortuary science.
© 2026 CCBC Stories
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