SIU is the first mortuary science program in the U.S. with on-site crematory

Christi Mathis CMathis@siu edu

CARBONDALE, Ill. — A love of science and the desire for a career that really helps people drew Emily Bender toward a career in mortuary science. With the decision made, she knew her educational preparation “could only be Southern Illinois University Carbondale” as SIU offers the state’s only mortuary science and funeral services bachelor’s degree program and one of just six in the country. Now, Bender said, the program’s recent addition of the only university-housed crematory in the United States has made her even happier with her choice.

“The crematory really gives me, as well as other students, confidence. The practice we will get from having an onsite crematory reaffirms we are capable of providing this service to families and doing it correctly just as soon as we enter the workforce,” Bender, a sophomore in mortuary science and funeral service (MSFS) from Normal, Illinois, said. “This ahead.”

“Mortuary science combines my favorite subjects, from anatomy to art, and it is really meaningful to know that I get the me to pick this major. Being able to obtain a bachelor’s degree in mortuary science is unique, as most programs are associate only. A 4-year degree allows for postgraduation. SIU also has a beautiful, accessible campus with opportunities for research and experience that made it an obvious yes. The experience we get from program components like the crematory, the embalming lab and everything else reaffirms that I’m in the exact field I’m supposed to be in and training for it in the best place.”

SIU’s mortuary science program will also help address an anticipated shortage of funeral service industry workers in the next five years.

Crematory a decade in the making, offering rare experience

Anthony Fleege, mortuary science and funeral service program director and associate professor, said while attending a conference 10 years ago, a colleague from another school was taking a crematory operator’s course and commented that mortuary schools should teach the course on campus. Fleege agreed, noting the nationwide shift toward cremation.

The U.S. cremation rate was 57.4% in 2022, meaning more than half of all final dispositions end in cremation rather than burial, according to Fleege. While the Illinois cremation rate mirrors the national rate, some states are much higher, led by Nevada with 82%, so the need is great.

Sciences and generous support from the SIU Foundation, the unit from Crematory Systems of South Holland is now in place at SIU.

From now on, all SIU’s mortuary science and funeral service graduates will not only get hands-on training operating a crematory with the addition of a cremation class to the curriculum, but they will also complete school as a certified crematory operator as recognized by the Illinois comptroller’s office, Fleege said.

“This acquisition helps keep us at the forefront of mortuary science education,” Fleege said. “The primary goal for the crematory is to give students practical experience on campus with cremation of the cadavers used for medical education purposes. Our students will leave college with the necessary tools in their tool belt to get licensed in any state and be able to immediately make an impact as a funeral director, embalmer or crematory operator. SIU is dedicated to student success, and our mortuary science and funeral service program strives to give students the complete education that will make them valuable assets to the funeral service profession. It will also ensure that the remains never leave the university’s possession.” is another addition to SIU’s mortuary science program that allows students to be a step honor of taking care of someone’s loved one for the last time. The humanity of funeral service drew a more open path to continuing education, and it makes students more competitive

Fleege pitched the idea of adding a crematory and the option for a crematory operator’s license at SIU, and Scott Collins, director of the School of Health Sciences, helped carry the plan forward. Thanks largely to gifts from private donors, the SIU School of Medicine, the dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences, the School of Health

In addition, as a public service for local coroners who occasionally must find a resolution for abandoned bodies, SIU will provide the crematory service for a nominal maintenance fee. The crematory won’t offer services to the public or funeral homes.

Filling a growing need