The Rise of Women Leadership in the Funeral Industry

As a family and woman owned business, Hilgenfeld Mortuary is proud to be a part of the trend that sees an increase of female ownership in our industry. Many women enter the field through family-owned mortuaries, but there is also a growing number of women who are establishing independent funeral homes. Women bring a unique perspective and compassionate approach to funeral service and they have played pivotal roles in the growth of the industry for centuries.

In the 18th and 19th centuries women were integral to death care, often overseeing the dying and preparing the bodies for burial. As the industry became professionalized a century later, it also became male-dominated. Today women are entering the field in higher numbers.

Here are some interesting statistics:

1. In the past 40 years, the proportion of female funeral directors in the United States has risen from 5 to 43 percent.
2. Women now comprise more than half of mortuary science students.
3. The National Funeral Directors Association reports that women account for 16.5 percent of its members, nearly doubling over the past 20 years.

This upward trend reflects broader societal changes and the increased acceptance of women in leadership roles in all types of businesses. It also is indicative of a continuing shift in the industry to focus on a more personal, compassionate and community-focused approach. 

Hilgenfeld Mortuary is proudly woman and family owned. Many of our staff have been with our organizations for decades and we have been in the same community for nearly 100 years. It will be interesting to what changes the next century brings to our industry.