March 2018

Page A32 MARCH 2018 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS S ec t i on A Anus and Vaginal Closure device, stops bodily fluid and Gaseous Odors Multi-Closures Available at all Major Suppliers innovativesupplyinc.com A/V Closures Closes openings caused by: I.V. Lines, Hypodermic Incisions, Trocar Punctures, Radial Incisions, Tracheotomies, and feeding tubes. Innovative minds creating sensible products 3469 Lake Elmo Ave N, STE 159 Lake Elmo, MN 55042 (Memories of Jack’s Recipes) Original Recipes from Dottie and Jack Frediani Shared by Kate Frediani-Gorman Cremation Products Inc. 800-837-0701 www.cremationproductsinc.com CRAB CAKES 1 egg, lightly beaten ¼ cup fat-free mayonnaise ¼ cup soft bread crumbs 2 green onions, chopped 1 Tbs minced parsley 1 tsp dry mustard ¼ tsp each salt and pepper 4 6-ounce cans crabmeat, drained and flaked Seafood sauce In a bowl, combine all ingredients except butter, oil, crab and sauce. Add crab; mix gently. Shape rounded tablespoons into patties. In a large non- stick skillet, cook patties in butter and oil over medium heat 3-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Serve with seafood sauce. Some prefer tartar sauce. This refreshing salad is based on the popular cold soup. GAZPACHO-STYLE SALAD 3 medium tomatoes 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced 1 medium green pepper, chopped 1 small red onion, thinly sliced 3 Tbs snipped parsley 3 Tbs vinegar 1½ tsp sugar ¼ cup salad oil 1 clove garlic, minced ¼ tsp dried basil, crushed ¼ tsp cumin ¼ tsp dry mustard Dash bottled hot pepper sauce Cut each tomato into 8 wedges. In a bowl, combine tomatoes, cucumber, green pepper, on- ion and parsley. For dressing, in a screw-top jar combine oil, vinegar, sugar, garlic, basil, cumin, mustard and pepper sauce. Shake well. Pour over vegetable mixture; toss lightly to coat. Cover and chill for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally. Trans- fer to a salad bowl. Garnish with croutons and avocado slices, if desired. Memoires des choix des Jacque Good Eating! News Educational ContinueD public any more aware that funeral practitioners have a spe- cialized education. Some students in the mortuary science program at Cypress College in California are attempting to change the standards for funeral service education. Education is the missing link in funeral service. Better ed- ucated funeral providers make a difference in how the pro- fessionalism in our industry is received. For most, funeral service education is an associate’s degree. Students, here in California, struggle to find a facility to complete their em- balming apprenticeship. Enrollment in the mortuary sci- ence program continues despite a smaller number of gradu- ating students working in the industry after receiving their degree. These findings, coupled with the average funeral ser- vice person only lasting five years in the industry, have de- creased the number of licensed professionals actively em- ployed. The question is how do we maintain the level of professionalism when the value of a specified educational degree is not required? Ironically, the answer is educating the public and those that work in the industry. Our industry needs educated professionals and what better than ones that are degreed in our science? Cypress College in California is the first community college in the Western United States to offer a Bachelor’s in Funeral Service.This de- gree is part of a pilot program created by state legislature Sen- ate Bill 850. Cypress College is one of 15 community colleg- es in the state chosen for the California Community College Bachelor Degree Pilot Program. The program is designed for working adults who want to further their career in funeral service.The classes are hybrid, meeting on campus only twice during the semester. The online program gives students an opportunity to complete their studies while still working in the industry. Classes include information on cemetery and crematory operations, mortuary jurisprudence, issues and trends in funeral service, and more, including externships in clinical embalming and funeral service. The professors in the program share their passion for fu- neral service. The new Bachelor’s program expands the in- formation learned in the associates program and incorpo- rates a broader view for those interested in management positions. The idea is all about elevating the profession. Eu- gene Kramer, in his article The Value of a College Educa- tion to the Funeral Profession, writes, “A college education impacts the individual student while in progress and even more so once working in his/her chosen profession. Perhaps most significantly, education has the potential to raise the entire profession to a higher level creating an increased sense of professionalism within the funeral service industry and in the minds of consumers and other professionals on the out- side looking in.” If more funeral professionals understand the value of this unique education, the public could too. I am extremely proud to be a part of this great profession. The opportunity to enhance my education in this specific field was an immediate, “Yes! Sign me up.” I have been work- ing in this field for 15 years and have been a licensed funeral director since 2006. I am the oldest student in my class. (I’m only 45!) This last semester has helped me to grow profes- sionally. I feel a renewed excitement for the changes in the industry and I look forward to the future of funeral service. The reason that most of us work in this field is because we are compelled to help others. My hope is that this article sparks the interest of those who have considered continuing their education in funeral service. Consider taking the time to look into the new program at Cypress College. Information can be found at: http://bachelors.cypresscollege.edu/ Jenna Moerk is the mortuary manager at Hillside Memorial Park andMortuary in Los Angeles. She is currently enrolled in the new Funeral Science Bachelor’s degree program at Cypress College. The Evolution of Funeral Service Education By Jenna Moerk Cypress College pilot program’s first cohort from left to right: Anthony Kim, Cassidy Johnston, Stephen Crawford, Brittany Soptick, Lisa Hang, Gary Ojeda, Amiee-Lynne Gigel, Gina Hooper, Yasamin Dye, Alejandro Escalera, Daniel Pung, and Jenna Moerk. Most people are unaware that funeral service has their own educational guide- lines. When people find out about my profession, many of them are surprised to find out that I have a degree in mortuary science. None of this information seems strange to any of you read- ing this, but to be honest, our industry is still shroud- ed in mystery. The age of in- formation has not made the