Making an impact: Young funeral director focuses on helping others

McKenna George has chosen a career path a bit outside the mainstream but she’s exactly where she wants to be.

The young Rhinelander resident is a funeral director with Carlson Funeral Service Inc., a family-owned firm that has been serving the local community for five generations.

Fittingly, family and a desire to help others inspired George’s career choice.

Ever since she was young, George has been drawn to the idea of taking part in funeral services. In particular, this happened during the funerals of her grandmothers, both of whom passed away within the same year.

“At their funerals, I remember being able to actually be a part of the service and that was memorable to me and to my sisters,” she said. “I want to be able to help other families do that.”

“For me, I always wanted to help people in some form or another,” she added. “I figured that if those people could make an impact on me, then someday I can make an impact on other people.”

She graduated from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in May of 2021 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mortuary Science and Funeral Service and a minor in Forensic Science. She took part in a year-long apprenticeship as part of her training.

 In a funeral director apprenticeship, the student learns from a licensed professional about the work that goes into organizing a funeral.

“In most states, you do an apprenticeship, so I did a year-long apprenticeship and completed everything that the state requires for this license. Then, I also take a state law exam to get a license to practice [funeral direction],” George explained.

Two years ago, she took at job with the Carlson Funeral Home. 

It’s a good fit as the firm, led by D. Bruce Carlson, has served her family on multiple occasions, she noted. 

Through the apprenticeship, she was able to learn firsthand all of the fine details that go into arranging a funeral, from the handling of obituaries and death certificates to the order of service.

 In addition, she learned how to talk to grieving families, an essential skill.

“It definitely can be a bit emotional,” she said. “Certain situations can be harder than others. For me, personally, it’s hard to see families grieve and just having to experience the death of a loved one.”

Over the last two years, she has served a wide variety of clients, including some familiar faces.

“Since I’m from Sugar Camp, I don’t know a lot of people in Rhinelander,” she explained. “but when I do see people that I have grown up knowing from Sugar Camp, that always makes me feel good because they know me, then they feel more comfortable around me and us when we’re there serving them.”

Working at a funeral home may not the first thing that many people would think of for a career, but George said her peers are able to understand her perspective.

“They are very supportive of it. When [a lot of people] find out that this is what I do, they’re a little taken aback by it, but they’re always very supportive and they are always very appreciative of me choosing this and being able to do this for other people.”

“The best part about this job is being able to go home at the end of every day and feel like we helped at least one person,” she added. “I fixed some picture boards for a woman [the other day], and she was very stressed out because they were falling down. I told her that she wouldn’t have to worry about it and that we would take care of it. It made me feel good that I was able to help her and alleviate any stress she had.”

George said her goals always include putting her clients at ease and ensuring that those who have passed on are honored in the best way possible. When asked if she has any advice for those who want to pursue this line of work, she returned to the concept of making a difference, especially at a time when people are incredibly vulnerable.

 “Do it because you care about the people and your community, and do it because you want to help people and you want to make their time during this difficult time a little bit easier,” she said. “Don’t just go into this because you think it’s cool. Do it because you want to make a difference in peoples’ lives.”

Jake Schexnaydre may be reached at [email protected].