Business Visit: Bailey Funeral Home

This morning, students had the opportunity to visit Bailey Funeral Home, where they met with Brian Bailey, his daughter Katelyn Bailey, and apprentice Mary Brown.

Brian and Mary discussed the educational path and board examination required to become a licensed mortician. Brian shared his own experience of earning his certification when an associate degree was sufficient, noting that today a bachelor’s degree is required. Mary is currently completing her degree at SIU and fulfilling her apprenticeship requirements, while Katelyn is pursuing her mortuary science degree through an online program paired with hands-on experience in the field.

Brian and Katelyn also shared insight into their monument business, which operates alongside the funeral home. Katelyn manages much of this business, and Brian expressed gratitude for having her as part of the team. They explained that while many families choose to work with both businesses, it is never a requirement.

Both Brian and Katelyn emphasized the importance of building strong relationships with cemeteries and other funeral homes, noting that collaboration and mutual support help them best serve families in times of need.

Students were also given a partial tour of the facility, where Brian highlighted updates such as live-streaming capabilities and television photo displays. The group concluded their visit with a look inside the display room, where families can view urn and casket options when making arrangements for their loved ones.

A sincere thank you to the Bailey family and Mary Brown for sharing their time, knowledge, and experience with our students.

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