CCBC Student, Health Professions Pathway
Melissa, a mortuary science major, is gaining the skills she needs to serve as a compassionate funeral director.
Melissa didn’t know it at the time, but a friend’s funeral would change the direction of her life. The service was meant to bring comfort, yet the way her friend’s body had been prepared only deepened the family’s grief.
“I remember thinking, ‘This could have been done differently. It should have been done differently,’” she says. “That’s what drew me into this field".
I wanted to ensure that families felt peace, not more pain.
Once she resolved to become a funeral director, she discovered that her home state of Delaware didn’t offer a mortuary science program. After researching her options, she applied to CCBC and now makes the commute to the Catonsville campus several times a week. Thanks to CCBC’s in-state tuition agreement and federal Pell Grant support, she is pursuing her degree affordably and is on track to graduate in summer 2026.
In addition to the valuable in-person classwork, Melissa is gaining on-the-job experience under a sponsored license at RT Foard Funeral Home, which will contribute to the hours required for licensure. At CCBC, her studies range from embalming and business practices to restorative art—the skill she wishes had been used at her friend’s funeral.
“At my job, I recently helped restore someone with a serious facial injury,” she says. “The funeral director praised a more experienced restorative artist for the color work. That felt great because it meant that I had done a good job and the family would see their loved one, not the injury.”
Melissa credits much of her growth to CCBC faculty, especially Professor Edwin Jackson. “He’s one of the most caring and dedicated teachers I’ve had,” she says. “It’s reassuring to know he works in the field while teaching us. His real-world experience makes every lesson more valuable.”
Melissa also emphasizes that the Mortuary Science program demands serious dedication. The hands-on experience, faculty and curriculum are preparing her to succeed in this multidimensional field.
“Some days you’re like an interior designer, moving chairs and arranging flowers,” she explains, “and other days you’re like a makeup artist. It’s not just one thing. You get to do a lot of different things, which keeps it interesting.”
Looking ahead, Melissa hopes to continue working at RT Foard Funeral Home after earning her degree and completing her licensure. “Ultimately, I want to be the best funeral director I can be.”