We recently connected with Jennifer Lares and have shared our conversation below.

Jennifer, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I created Mulling Mortician in 2024, to address the gap in access to education and training that funeral service professionals face. I wanted to bring the learning experience to them (virtually or onsite) and help them elevate their skills wherever needed- from the way they performed embalming and facial restoration, to how they create relationships and serve families directly. The “Why” behind this ties back into families I have previously served. When I have learned something new or improved my skills, I would reflect on a decedent I prepared or a family I served, and I would see the shortcomings my lack of knowledge resulted in. There is a case I will never forget from my early days as an Intern. There was discoloration and swelling that I somewhat improved, but not to the degree that I could have, knowing what I do now. I could have corrected that trauma using facial restoration techniques that were available but not yet within my means.

Educational opportunities in our specialized field often involve travel costs and reduced personnel during that time. My mobile approach avoids that. I also consider the clientele served and the preferred products. The business is still growing, and I feel there is promise. I am not selling products or gimmicks- just knowledge to be passed around for the betterment of the profession.

Jennifer, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a first and last-generation funeral director & embalmer who stumbled into this field out of curiosity. When I was 16, I interviewed the owner of the only funeral home in the small town where I grew up. I was so intrigued! Afterwards, I asked him for a job. He had no openings for a high school kid and said no. I waited for a week, then asked again, and continued asking weekly until he finally relented and hired me. I started out washing the vehicles, cleaning the chapel, and dusting the caskets. As I worked hard and proved myself, I was shown more of the work he did. I had the privilege of being mentored by him and his colleague up until I left for Mortuary school. Since then, my career has involved practicing in many different states, and at various points, working for the government in a military & civilian capacity. I have worked in funeral service for over 30 years, and also teach in a formal funeral service education program.

I stay curious, and these days have been exploring the creation of my own training materials for the purpose of teaching facial reconstruction and restoration. I am always tinkering with silicone or plaster, creating faux bones or soft tissue.

I think offering unbiased instruction that has no basis in particular supplies makes what I do different from other options. I don’t have an influence on my opinion from any outside parties, so you know I will tell you my views in an honest way. My problem-solving mentality is something I value, as it serves me in creating solutions and products of my own. I am also a Contributing Editor with Kates -Boylston, and contribute to “American Funeral Director” magazine. I share my experiences, observations, and the opportunities I see in our field.

I still see this work with the fascination of that 16-year-old high school kid. I still get excited about serving people, and about the impact we can have on someone’s grief journey.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

When I first came up with this idea of bringing a wide range of funeral service education and training to folks I had people tell me it would never work. “People aren’t going to pay you for that.” I disagreed and pushed on. While I am not wildly inundated with work, I have become more of a recognized resource to professionals. I have been invited onto stages, into other classrooms, and to locations to work exclusively with teams. I wanted to help deathcare workers learn how to use airbrush makeup and saw the lack of education in its use, so I told DINAIR airbrush makeup that someday we would be partnering in this endeavor. I attended one of their 3 day training events and over time became more and more proficient in airbrush makeup use. I finally worked with them to cobrand an airbrush kit with colors and contents picked out specifically for use on decedents, that I offer with training in its use (“Open Casket”).

People like to discourage new ideas but ignoring the negativity and following your intuition will help you stay the course. When they say it can’t be done, it just means they can’t do it.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

I have been making my own training materials and have learned through considerable trial and error. Thankfully, the company where I purchase my raw materials is very helpful. They specialize in movie props, special effects, etc., and I was the first Mortician to call their Texas location. I attended one of their workshops and can call or email with the idea that they then attempt to help me with. It has been difficult, though. I have also looked at other products that I can alter for my uses, and other fields that may tie into what I do and need.

I spent most of this past summer experimenting, making mistakes, and trying again. I’ve learned to look at anything and everything with an open mind. If you see a problem to be solved, don’t wait for the right product to come along. Make your own version! This is what will help me keep my offerings at a competitive price point and stay true to my mission.

Contact Info:

• Website: mullingmortician.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mullingmortician/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Mulling-Mortician-LLC-61559997402830/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-lares-a09163302/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MullingMortician
• Other: linktr.ee/mullingmortician

Image Credits
Me :)