SIU becomes the first university marine science program in the U.S. with an on-site crematorium

A love of science and a desire for a profession that truly helps people led Emily Bender to a career in mortuary science. Once she made the decision, she knew her educational base "could only be Southern Illinois University at Carbondale," as SIU offers the state's only undergraduate mortuary and funeral science program and one of only six in the nation. Bender said the recent opening of the university's only crematory in the U.S. has made her even more pleased with her choice.

"The crematory gives me, as well as other students, confidence. The practice we will get by having a crematory on site confirms that we are capable of providing these services to families and doing it right once we get out into the workforce," said Bender, a sophomore in the Mortuary Science and Funeral Service (MSFS) program from Normal, Illinois. "This is another addition to SIU's mortuary science program that allows students to be one step ahead.

"Mortuary Science combines my favorite subjects, from anatomy to art, and it is truly meaningful to know that I have the honor of caring for someone's loved one one one last time. The humanity of the funeral profession attracted me to choose this major. The opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree in marine science is unique because most programs are associates only. A four-year degree allows for more freedom to continue their education and makes students more competitive after graduation. Additionally, SIU has a beautiful, accessible campus with research and experiential opportunities that made choosing to attend this university an obvious choice. Experiencing the components of the program such as the crematory, embalming lab, and everything else confirms that I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing and preparing for it in the best place possible."

SIU's mortuary program will also help address the shortage of funeral industry workers expected in the next five years.

Crematorium, a decade in the making, offers a rare experience

Anthony Flidge, director of the mortuary and funeral service program and associate professor, said that 10 years ago while attending a conference, a colleague from another institution was taking a course on crematory operations and said mortuaries should teach the course on campus. Flidge agreed, noting a nationwide shift toward cremation.

According to Fleege, in 2022, the cremation rate in the U.S. is 57.4%, meaning more than half of all burials end in cremation rather than burial. While Illinois' cremation rate reflects the national rate, some states have much higher rates, such as Nevada at 82%, so the need for cremation is great.

Flidge pitched the idea of a crematory and the possibility of a crematory operator's license to SIU, and Scott Collins, director of the School of Health Sciences, helped make the plan a reality. Thanks in large part to donations from private donors, the SIU School of Medicine, the Dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences, the School of Health Sciences, and generous support from the SIU Foundation, SIU now has a crematory from Crematory Systems of South Holland.

From now on, all SIU mortuary and funeral science graduates will not only gain hands-on crematory management skills by adding a cremation class to the curriculum, but will also graduate as a certified crematory operator, which is recognized by the Illinois Comptroller's office, Flidge said.

In addition, as a public service to local coroners who occasionally need to find a solution to the problem of abandoned bodies, SIU will provide crematory services for a nominal fee. The crematory will not offer services to the public or funeral homes.

Meeting growing needs

According to research, the need for funeral industry workers across the country is great and growing. The National Funeral Directors Association reported that more than 60 percent of the nation's funeral directors plan to retire in the next five years, and between 2010 and 2021, the number of funeral homes shrank by more than 1,100, according to government data, leaving only 18,000 funeral homes by then. In 2021, the median salary for entry-level workers such as morticians, morticians and funeral directors was about $49,000 and $74,000 for funeral directors, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Officials say many gain experience and/or higher education, as at SIU, and become funeral directors with even higher incomes.

SIU's program is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education. SIU graduates may be licensed in Illinois with reciprocal practice in all other states where a bachelor's degree from this program is available, and may also be licensed by the Department of Professional Regulation as a funeral director and embalmer.

One hundred and ten students are currently enrolled in SIU's program, with about one hundred on campus and the rest online. According to Fliege, SIU's program includes both science courses and classes focusing on the "arts," including business and psychology. Students learn about all parts of the business, from embalming (SIU has an embalming facility and cadaver refrigeration) to merchandising and funeral arrangements (there's a room to choose casket and urn models, as well as a room where hands-on funerals are held). The new crematory, licensed by the Illinois Comptroller's Office and operated by trained and certified crematory educators, complements the comprehensive educational experience.

Extraordinary educators are making a difference in the world

After graduation, Bender plans to become a funeral director and dually licensed embalmer in Illinois and Indiana and says that in addition to the many unique components offered at SIU, "the marine science faculty is a big highlight of the program. The creation of the crematory shows how much our faculty, staff and administration care about the education of their students. They send fully trained funeral workers out into the real world, making sure we are as capable as possible. Thankfully, that now includes cremation skills. It's very exciting to serve the community." The deceased from the Southern Illinois region and the donors who graciously donate their bodies to provide educational opportunities have a place for a respectful, proper burial, which makes it even more meaningful to me and to them."

According to Flidge, the crematory project was a collaborative effort with the support of Chancellor Austin A. Lane, Robert Morgan, dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences, Scott Collins, director of the School of Health Sciences, Facilities and Energy Management and others.

"Everyone came together to create an outstanding project that SIU can be proud of for years to come," said Flidge.