For nearly three decades, Sandburg’s mortuary science program has educated students on the many phases of the funeral service industry. Accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education, this two-year program (which also offers an accelerated one-year option) gives special attention to the high ethical standards within the funeral service profession.

Sandburg is one of just four ABFSE-accredited programs in Illinois and the only one located between Chicago and St. Louis.

Sandburg has a building on the Galesburg campus specifically designed for this unique program, which prepares students for careers such as funeral directors, embalmers and funeral attendants. In addition to classroom spaces, it includes a working prep room and chapel facility. 

Mortuary science professor Matt Kendall is in his 23rd year as an instructor at Sandburg. Here, he shares his background in the mortuary science industry, what got him interested in it and successful qualities of mortuary science students.

Education
B.A.S. in biology from South Dakota State University

A.A.S. in funeral service from Mt. Hood Community College

M.S. in education from Western Illinois University

Special credentials or certifications of note:

I’ve served in various positions for the Illinois Funeral Directors Association (IFDA):

  • Past president (2023)
  • President (2022)
  • President-elect (2021)
  • Vice president (2020)
  • Secretary/treasurer (2019)
  • Region 2 director (2013-19)
  • Education Committee (2012-13)

How did you become interested or involved in mortuary science as a career?
I always wanted to be a funeral director. My family tends to live to old ages, so I went to many funerals as a child.

What experience did you have in the funeral industry before teaching at Sandburg?

I was a funeral director at Portland Memorial Funeral Home and Mausoleum in Portland, Ore., which was the largest indoor mausoleum west of the Mississippi with 8.5 miles of hallways. The funeral home served 1,000 families a year from diverse backgrounds.

What made you interested in wanting to teach others about mortuary science?
I wanted to see a change in funeral service to be one of providing excellent service to families and not just pushing merchandise or the quickest methods of disposition. The best way to do that, in my opinion, is to set people on the right path from the beginning.

Why is the mortuary science program an important program to offer at Sandburg?
There’s a large demand for funeral service professionals across the country. Being able to provide a career to people at a reasonable tuition in a short timeframe is vital to the industry as a whole, not just for our nearby Illinois and Iowa funeral homes. 

How has the program changed in your time at Sandburg?
We’ve tried to offer students more opportunities to interact with technology and merchandise that they would find in the funeral home. Our state-of-the-art prep room and the chapel facilities we have allow students real-world experiences to carry into their future careers.

What gives you joy as an instructor?
When students “get it.” You can see in their eyes that they’re understanding the meaning of what you’re lecturing about. Then they go out into the world and tell me that what I said actually works. 

What are qualities of a successful mortuary science student/graduate?
Time management is of utmost importance as a student and funeral director. Brain-rotting on a phone is not going to get you ahead in school or in the funeral industry.

What’s your advice for people who are interested in mortuary science as a career?
Be prepared to work at any hour, any day. This is more than a career; it’s a lifestyle.