“When I was younger, funeral service was never my plan. My dad never pressured me into the business, but he also never steered me away. When I decided I wanted to go into the family business he was my biggest supporter and made it possible for me to follow my dreams. Being a second-generation funeral director was a catch-22 for me; I had a solid future ahead of me knowing where I would be, but I also had high expectations to live up to back at home.”

Living in eastern Ohio, the logical choice of mortuary schools was PIMS; however, my dad was a 1974 graduate of CCMS. I visited PIMS and after leaving the college, I realized it wasn’t a fit for me. From the moment I visited CCMS I knew that it was where I was going to be attending. The staff and students at the college made me feel welcome and I knew I wanted to be a part of this “family.”

When I visited CCMS, I had the pleasure of meeting the current Class President, Karen Sharpe, where she welcomed me to the school. Little did I know at the time, she was also working at the funeral home I would be working at while attending school. Karen taught me a great deal while working at the funeral home that helped me both in the classroom as well as clinical lab. She allowed me to learn one-on-one and would take the time to explain anything to me. She is just one example of the amazing people that graduated from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. CCMS not only teaches you to become an embalmer and funeral director, but also a better person.

My father, Mel Milburn, has been one of the most influential people in my career thus far. He was amazed at how much I learned while in school and has allowed me to grow each and every day in this business. The opportunities that I have had in my career are a blessing and I look forward to serving my community for the next 40 years.

“Serving others has been a passion my entire life, both emotionally and through physical service. I want to be there for families in their time of grief and need. Funeral service is my first choice of career.“

The main reason I selected CCMS from other mortuary science schools was the history, reputation, and success rate of graduates. I have two relatives who service this profession, but feel privileged to accomplish my goal of becoming a 1st generation funeral director in my immediate family. Knowing that some of the most skilled embalmers are a product of CCMS, I too wanted to learn from the best. As a Cincinnati native, I was fortunate to have one of the best mortuary colleges in my backyard.

In additional to serving the funeral profession, I hope to one day further my education in forensic science and criminal justice. Completing the Bachelor program at CCMS is providing the foundation necessary to prepare me for future postgraduate studies.

“When it came to choosing a career path, the choice was clear. As a second-generation funeral service professional, my entire life has revolved around funeral work.”

Living in a funeral home my whole life, I’ve seen first hand the sacrifices people in this industry have to face. Although the sacrifices are many, they are far outweighed by the rewards. Being able to help people everyday during one of the hardest times of their lives played a huge role in my decision to go to mortuary school and make this my life. Douglas Adams once said, “To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought with money, and that is sincerity and integrity.” This isn’t just your everyday job, it’s a lifestyle, and it takes people like us to see the good through the pain. It takes an educator like CCMS to help us perfect this calling.

“A change of career was the right decision for Arlene, a 1998 CCMS alumna and 1^st generation funeral director and embalmer.“

Arlene finds great reward actively serving the Cincinnati community as a licensed professional with an area funeral home, through her service to the profession as a whole in the important role of President for the Buckeye State Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association, and to the students of CCMS as a current member of the Board of Directors.

During her 25 years in the industry, which began in her hometown of Detroit, Michigan, Arlene has been a mentor to many students who have decided on entering this field, several of them now owners of their own establishments. She believes wholeheartedly in her motto: “Serve Well.”