From a bad experience with death five years ago, Ruben Garza opted for a career in mortuary science.

The funeral director at my grandmother’s funeral seemed very cold-hearted, Garza said. He offered no guidance for our family. I started checking into mortuary science after that, and the more I checked, the more interested I became.

Garza is one of approximately 60 students enrolled in SIUC’s mortuary science and funeral services. The program only accepts 35 applicants a year, and Garza is entering the program for the first semester.

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Keisha Tage a senior in mortuary science and funeral service and health care management from Chicago, said she became interested in the major through a high school biology teacher.

I had a biology teacher when I was a freshman in high school who was also a funeral director, Tage said. But that was just one of the reasons I decided on mortuary science.

I wanted to choose a career that was in demand, one that would allow me to have my own business, and also a career that involved helping others on a personal level.

Cydney Griffith, an assistant professor in mortuary science, said applicants must meet strict requirements before being considered for a spot in the program.

An interview with a funeral service director, a letter of recommendation from that individual, six biographical essays and teacher’s letter of recommendation are just a few of the requirements, she said.

We have had some people who drop because they thought it would be just an easy two year degree, Griffith said.

Griffith said the school offers a classroom facility and a morgue for the lab exercises dealing with embalming, the process of protecting a dead body from decay.

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Tage said the embalming class she is taking now is her favorite because she is able to get hands-on training.

I’ve waited a long time to get into this program, she said. It makes me feel like I’m really here.

Tage is planning on a career in medicine, specializing in forensics when she graduates in August, while Garza’s long term goal is to own his own funeral home in his hometown of Rock Falls.

Garza said the funeral director he worked with talked to him about preparing to deal with families who have lost a family member.

He said you have to get used to being around families that are under a lot of emotional stress, he said. He also said we should try to help by using community resources.

I want to use my front office for consulting with families, Garza said. If I can see they are having problems, then I can guide them to resources that will help them out.

Garza said he has received mixed reactions from his friends when he told them of his career choice.

Some of them say,’Oh my God, how can you do that?’ he said. Some people think it’s great that I’m doing this, but others think I’m morbid.

I just say,’hey, this is what I want to do helping families get through the grieving period. After they hear my explanations, they tend to back off.