·  Why did you choose to enter the funeral service profession?

At the young age of 5 I was fascinated with visiting a cemetery or planning Barbie’s funeral. However, at that time I didn’t know this would be my calling. I completed high school and earned my BS in Psychology and Special Education. I went on to teach for 5 years and felt very unfulfilled to say the least. It was at that moment I realized I wanted to dedicate myself to funeral service and went on to obtain my degree in mortuary science. I feel as though death is a major loss and my most important job is helping the families I serve to cope emotionally. As a younger woman I feel I was most interested in the science side of mortuary however, as I have grown and matured it’s really about helping the families reflect on their loved ones life and guiding them in selecting a personal and unique funeral. There is no greater gratitude than hearing the words, “Thank you for helping me during the most difficult time in my life.” Or “thank you for making this process easier than expected.” I love what I do and wouldn’t change it for the world. It took me awhile to get here but my additional education, occupations and experiences have led me here.

*Please discuss your role as a mentor or a mentee and the role this relationship has played in your career.

I, Ashley E. Brown of Stauffer Funeral Homes, P.A. in Frederick, MD was one of 50 funeral directors nationwide selected to participate in the National Funeral Directors Association’s (NFDA) Meet the Mentors program. Meet the Mentors was beyond my expectations. This was truly and invaluable experience and I learned a lot from all 3 of the mentors. Even though Stauffer Funeral Home has been very proactive and progressive over the past 30 years I learned new ideas that can be put into effect and enhance my skill levels to be integrated into the funeral home, and I feel very blessed with this opportunity I was given to meet some of the greatest minds of funeral service. Not only the mentors but getting the chance to meet my peers and stay in touch and helping one another become the future of funeral service. With that being said, G. Douglas Stauffer is one of my most memorable mentors, always encouraging his staff to take advantage of all educational seminars/class room studies that are made available to be integrated into the progression of Stauffer Funeral Home

Which professional accomplishment has given you the greatest satisfaction and why?

Every day of my career is different, unlike my teaching career my day is not 100% structured. I find great satisfaction in this and getting to meet someone new every day. Although, this is the hardest day of their life my greatest satisfaction is thank you. So to answer the question I feel like this is daily not on just one specific occasion.

·  Please list and explain up to three reasons for wanting to attend the Professional Women’s Conference

·  A) To gain valuable ideas and or learning tools other women have to offer.

·  B) Be able to share knowledge and experience I’ve obtained and swap ideas.

·  C) To be able to continue and grow in my career from all aspects. This will be quite different in that it consists of all female I truly value all of my experiences and what i can bring to this career.