Celebrating Excellence— 5 Amazing Women Shaping the Future of Funeral Service
The funeral service profession, often marked by tradition and sensitivity, is witnessing a significant shift with the rise of influential women making notable contributions. This blog post aims to spotlight the achievements of five outstanding women who have left an indelible mark on the profession.
Lori Davis - Breaking Barriers with Compassion
Lori Davis is a groundbreaking funeral director who shattered stereotypes as one of the first African American women to own and operate a funeral home in the United States. Her commitment to personalized and compassionate services has not only earned her community respect but also paved the way for greater diversity in the industry. Lori Davis stands as an inspiring figure for aspiring funeral professionals, particularly women of color, looking to make their mark. https://www.hadleydavisfh.com/about-us
Amy Cunningham - A Pioneer in Green Funerals
Amy Cunningham, the founder of Fitting Tribute Funeral Services in New York, is renowned for her innovative approach to funerals. Advocating for environmentally friendly and sustainable practices, Cunningham has pioneered the concept of green burials. Her dedication to minimizing the environmental impact of funeral services showcases the evolving and progressive nature of the profession. https://www.fittingtributefunerals.com/meet-the-funeral-director
Jacquelyn Taylor, PhD- Pioneering the Intersection of Healthcare and Funeral Service
Dr. Jacquelyn (Jacquie) Taylor (d. Oct. 20, 2019) was a trailblazer who has seamlessly blended the fields of healthcare and funeral service. As a licensed funeral director and embalmer, she not only provided compassionate care for grieving families but has also played a pivotal role in educating others about the connection between health and the funeral industry. Dr. Taylor's work highlighted the importance of holistic approaches to grief and the role funeral professionals can play in supporting overall community well-being. https://southerncalls.com/article/remembering-jacquelyn-taylor/
Glenda Stansbury - Redefining the Way We Honor the Dead
Glenda is an educator, a professor, a Celebrant trainer, and accomplished public speaker. Not only does she train and certify Celebrants through the company founded by her father, Doug Manning, she is also a very active practicing Celebrant, a professor at the University of Central Oklahoma Funeral Department and is a licensed funeral director/embalmer. She received the ICCFA Education Foundation's Lasting Impact Award and of the 2021 Death Care Rockstar of the Year award from the Parting Stone Cremation Rocks Awards. https://iccfa.com/awards/lasting-impact/
Lauren LeRoy, Little Miss Funeral - Capitalizing on Socials to Empower and Demistify Funeral Service
Lauren LeRoy, a young twenty-something licensed funeral director from New York harnesses social media outlets to normalize not only compassionate funeral service, but hopes to make death less “scary”. Bringing a new, young, female perspective to an old male dominated perception has made Little Miss Funeral a sensation and elevates funeral service everywhere. Follow her on X (formerly known as Twitter) https://twitter.com/LttleMissFunerl
These five influential women have not only broken barriers but have also significantly shaped the landscape of funeral service. Their contributions, whether in healthcare integration, environmental sustainability, education, digital innovation, or grief advocacy, highlight the diversity and richness of the funeral service profession. As we celebrate their achievements, we recognize the importance of continued support and empowerment for women in this essential and evolving industry.