Revamping Mortuary School Classes with Kari and Caitlin

You asked and finally....Kari the Mortician and Ask a Mortician get together for a conversation! They will discuss their 3 suggestions (each) to new or revamped classes for mortuary school. Kari Northey and Caitlin Doughty bring their years of experience in the funeral business, from the traditional funeral director/embalmer to the funeral director/business owner who advocates for more natural disposition choices. Together they advocate for customer knowledge and education on the funeral business. See how their experiences guide their thoughts on mortuary school classes and how they would like to see the curriculums change with the changing business.
www.caitlindoughty.com
www.orderoftheg...
www.karinorthey.com
‪@AskAMortician‬
[e-mail]
‪@KaritheMortician‬

[@AskAMortician]

Loved this longer conversation Kari, thank you for having me! HAS EVERYONE SUBSCRIBED TO HER CHANNEL?!

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you so much friend!

[@robertganley313]

Interesting video; I am no doubt old school but my funeral home has handled family and friends for over fifty years and hands on and tradition is important. Almost as important as the traditions in the UK.

[@robertganley313]

Who knew Kari had trailers?

[@silverravensblackgarden]

Absolutely 🖤 😈

[@bruceliggett8036]

Absolutely!! Your welcome, lol

[@joeu3910]

Wow!!!! Love you both!

[@KaritheMortician]

Thanks so much!

[@rickyn1135]

Very cool ladies.

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you!

[@ClandestineGirl16X]

Have I died and gone to heaven?! This is a dream come true!!!!

[@KaritheMortician]

Aww hopefully we don’t disappoint!

[@rebekahbridges-tervydis5054]

How did you die? And, what was your chosen disposition? ... lol, sorry a little mortuary humor! 😀😅

[@catherinehuguley8186]

You didn’t disappoint! ❤️

[@Nan-59]

Me, too!

[@dadecountess305]

Both of you together !!! What a treat!

[@tammywhatever8602]

The two morticians I LOVE to watch in ONE video?? JACKPOT!!

[@KaritheMortician]

Awww thank you!

[@belindatangalakis902]

Definitely snap on that 💯🙂🥰

[@lakeisharhyant2045]

I found Kari first and a few days later found Caitlin and I watch you both. So glad you both collaborated.

[@KaritheMortician]

Yay! Thank you!

[@heosomeheosome6752]

Love both of you so much!

[@KaritheMortician]

Aww thank you!!

[@Dan_da_man-og8zh]

Oh my goodness! The crossover I’ve been waiting for!!!

[@zarav.1315]

Agreed!

[@KaritheMortician]

Hopefully it is all you have hoped!

[@sarahdumas2140]

The two ladies that have been responsible for helping me face one of my biggest fears.

[@AquariusBeam]

Oh awesome. Love these two.

[@auntjosie756]

3 yrs ago after a hip surgery when I was wheel chair bound i found these 2 Beautiful Women in the industry that ive always LOVED. Since 1st grade I stood at the school fence at recess watching funerals at the Funeral home across the street. I worked in the funeral home thru high school then went to Commonwealth in Houston but my lung health swiped my dream of being a mortician. So now I live my dream thru you Beautiful ladies!

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you for always sharing!

[@OutsideGamerGirl]

OH MY GOODNESS!!! My two favorite KZbin morticians together! This completely made my day! Thank you so, so much for flying out to meet Caitlin, Kari!

[@KaritheMortician]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lorrainethepain]

Two best Morticians on the planet...

[@KaritheMortician]

Aww thanks

[@amandalong4998]

Love both of you so much!!

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you!!

[@laurieanderson9250]

Loved this ladies 😘😘😘

[@KaritheMortician]

Aww thanks

[@trose5507]

*THIS IS TH DISCUSSION I'VE BEEN WAITING TO HEAR, LEARN and DECIDE for YEARS!* Since I was a kid, I was able to mold anything out of clay, paper Mache or anything that would bind or create a bond. During seventh-grade, I had decided for the rest of my life that I wanted to become an embalmer w/specialization in restorative art. As the years progressed and I continued to assess the school curriculums, I knew that accounting and math were a bit of an obstacle; the only thing I wanted to do was work in the prep-room restoring the deceased into a work of art that will be presentable for viewing and families would be satisfied and at peace. Although math and biology became my favorite subjects throughout secondary school and college, I never accepted being forced to learn classes for operating a funeral home when all I wanted to do was embalm & restorative work. It is disheartening for so many licensed morticians today that have not organized and effectively facilitated modifications for the curriculums that are succinct for embalming and restorative art instead of all this accounting and math crap.

[@QueenCityHistory]

Omg Kari and Death Mother??? Amazing!!! The two ladies who have completely changed my view on funerals/death and the funeral industry.

[@KaritheMortician]

Awww thank you!

[@Kaz.Williams]

This did not disappoint! A meeting of two beautiful and brilliant minds, fantastic. You both raised such wonderful and valid points, I hope they come to fruition. Thank you to you both for doing this!

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you so much!!

[@cherylcoburn6665]

Aj qss q

[@cherylcoburn6665]

@@KaritheMortician 0

[@RhettyforHistory]

Great to see you both collaborating on a video together! A meeting of the minds!

[@KaritheMortician]

Most definitely!

[@LittleMissFuneral]

Love this! And so happy you brought up Joèl and her course! She is my GO TO for black/poc education. You’re all changing this industry for the better!

[@MarkSpellman2025]

Little Miss Funeral should have been there! The 3 of you together that would be my dream!

[@guymorris1963]

Poc ? What is that code for ?

[@LittleMissFuneral]

@@guymorris1963 people of color

[@KaritheMortician]

Oh yes so true!! And we need to do a women of Funerals panel one day with us all!

[@ojagetabelifestyle4010]

You ladies are just out of this world with your ideas. They are very on point. Live long and continue to be the hope humanity needs.

[@KaritheMortician]

Thanks so much!

[@rhiannonrede]

Two of my favs! Thanks, Ladies. I lost all 4 members of my family over a two year period. Our local home really became my family & handled everything very well. I went from my first death to deal with to a lady with frequent flier miles. You guys are really great!

[@KaritheMortician]

Wow big hugs!

[@gurleykristin]

OMG The two of you together in the same video I cant believe it!! Wow if you guys started a Mortuary school, that would change EVERYTHING in this country DO IT!!! 🎉🎉

[@KaritheMortician]

It could be fun!

[@ReubenWalton]

I am just seeing this now in 2023 but I am so happy to see that y’all did a video together!

[@Jfhelwig]

Two of the best, both in one place!

[@KaritheMortician]

Aww thank you!!

[@jermwashburn-lugosi7023]

Very progressive and client (family) centered focused. Spot on regarding refurbishing the curriculum involving engaging consumers, ethnic care, arrangement sales and counseling. Thank you ladies.

[@KaritheMortician]

Thanks so much!!

[@schairelle]

Wonderful to see you too engaging morticians together in one video! You make the topic of death so interesting!

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you!

[@williamlewis9087]

Great to see You Ms Kari and Caitlin together! Very knowledgeable information You Guys shared!

[@KaritheMortician]

I appreciate the support for us!

[@williamlewis9087]

Wanted to be a Funeral director at one time in mylife! The Job prospects wasn't there in the small rural Community where I live in ! Most Funeral homes in the Rural South are Family owned businesses most of jobs are pretty much spoken for because the business is passed from one Generation to another! So I didn't get into the mortuary trade because of that reason!

[@mattdurham5605]

My two favorite morticians together in one mind blown!!!!!!!!!

[@KaritheMortician]

Aww thanks!

[@RockStop22]

I have to Thank both of you 💗. My fiancè passed away suddenly in March from an aneurism, I actually found him on the stairs already gone. He was cremated but because of Covid-19 we have not been able to have a Celebration of Life for him. It was so traumatic for me to see him that way, but I have since then been watching both you & Caitlin's videos about all the aspects of death and cremation, and it has helped me alot to deal with it.

[@KaritheMortician]

I am so sorry for your heartbreak and especially that you have not been able to celebrate his beautiful life.

[@garybrown7044]

i may get rocks & bottles thrown at me for this. i was a building & electrical inspector for the city of kettering, licensed but the state of ohio. every 3 years we had to re-certify with the state via continuing education. our classes were state approved & conducted by other inspectors. it was a great opportunity to learn the latest in our profession & have an open exchange of ideas from people like ourselves in other jurisdictions. perhaps the funeral industry would benefit from a similar senario. there were no tests, so no worries about losing your certificate, just good dialogue. love you both!!

[@KaritheMortician]

Thanks so much!!

[@joegarcia4157]

On line funeral arrangements would of been something that I would of like to have had when I arranged my mother’s funeral. I felt so uneasy even though the funeral director was so nice and understanding but I feel that if I could of done it on line, it would of been better for myself

[@KaritheMortician]

Excellent point

[@TheCastilloFamilyAK]

Two of my favs!

[@KaritheMortician]

Yeah!!

[@gewells8098]

I’ve learned a tremendous amount of information since watching videos from both of your channels. I agree the industry itself needs some updating across the board. The older generation is very resistant to change, especially if it involves acquiring new equipment and training. You both have a unique experience based opinion on what you would like to see change and I find it refreshing. Even in my own career I’ve learned that if you don’t at least try to move with the times, you get left behind as a relic.. and I hate change! Lol Great video and hope to see more of you two together!

[@KaritheMortician]

Thanks so much!

[@MissUnderstood-yi1zm]

Awww yay!! This is incredible Kari! So happy you got to meet her 💓

[@KaritheMortician]

It was really an honor!

[@pwillieb]

Excellent conversation that is reality based. The topics were on point and absolutely would enable new people entering the work force in funeral management to provide better experiences for their customers. These topics would also be excellent continuing education opportunities for existing funeral professionals.

[@KaritheMortician]

So true!!

[@SephardicHawaiian]

Both of you are incredible and so helpful. I follow both your channels and they have helped me a lot in my volunteer duties as a member of a Jewish burial society. Thank you for all you both do!

[@KaritheMortician]

It really is our pleasure!

[@marandathompson6367]

Idea! Maybe a class centered around the cemetery? Mapping to a specific grave of course but also how one could acquire their own cemetery and how they could lay it out. Loved this crossover so much! It's honestly what we've all been waiting for. :p

[@katerogers]

Could definitely be useful to teach! We got a little info on how cemeteries are set up, but not much. Certainly wouldn't know how to run/start one.

[@marandathompson6367]

@@katerogers I just remember them breaking down block, lot, grave for the boards. Never actually just making a map or anything about acquiring one.

[@KaritheMortician]

I like it!

[@kathystay1078]

Thank you so much, Kari and Caitlin! It was very insightful! And while I’m turning 54, (TODAY, YIKES!) and I’m nDisability,due to severe health issues, I’m learning so much from both of you, and perhaps someday...I might be able to put my long ago Social work/Gerontology Degree to use, and find a job, or volunteer n a mortuary or something. I took a Death and Dying class one Semester, to meet an upper division requirement, and it was my favorite Course, by far, during my College experience.

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you for sharing that!

[@carolbamforth7475]

Gosh my 2 favourite go to morticians..... love that your sharing your experiences and how to questions 👍🇨🇦

[@KaritheMortician]

Glad you like them!

[@trishalish64]

Wow how great to see you both together on a video! My two favorite Morticians!! You both are so informative! It is really appreciated! Makes death a lot less scary. Thank you ladies!

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you so much!

[@barwood124]

I loved this! Please consider doing this yearly!

[@KaritheMortician]

Another is already filmed and will post in the new year :)

[@aliciaweld6959]

This is the greatest crossover I’ve ever seen! Just got Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs for my birthday & I had a blast reading it! It’s fantastic to see both of you together!!

[@KaritheMortician]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@goosubux]

Awesome! I love seeing you two lovely ladies in the same video!

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you!! 😊

[@Amethyst_Dragon_]

This is awesome two of my favorite KZbinrs!!! 😃😃😃😃🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@KaritheMortician]

Yay! Thank you!

[@Nan-59]

Ohhhh! My 2 favorite morticians!

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you :)

[@baileybritton4138]

This exciting to see two different sides an learning more from 2 morticians about mortuary school since this the career path I’m looking at for when I graduate in may.

[@KaritheMortician]

Very cool!

[@johnlarue2248]

Outstanding and educational posting ladies! Excellent ideas and breakdown "I wish we had done (fill in the blank)....I love the hearing of Caitlin doing her "The Middle Ages were magic!" music during this....The role playing scenarios are a great way to throw the emotion at a student..So they can be better prepared (same thing worked great when I was training in Emergency Medicine) Thank you so much for this posting!

[@KaritheMortician]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@niknax8124]

I love seeing you 2 ladies together again! Your contrasts really compliment each other!! Would love to see more videos with you both together ❤️

[@KaritheMortician]

More to come!

[@natashaom9731]

I love this video! I found both of your channels separately, and decided to pursue my childhood dream of becoming a mortician! I am currently in school and so excited! Thank you two ❤

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you!

[@stargazer_5150]

I have been watching both your videos for a while now and think you both are awesome. Was so excited to see you both do a video together. It was great! Hope to see more.

[@KaritheMortician]

Yay! Thank you!

[@evelynfoster2706]

Kari and Caitlin, this is the second time I have watched this video. You two along with Joell are my favorites go tos for info and refreshers. Than’ you for teaching us.

[@KaritheMortician]

Aww thank you!

[@joeblow8593]

Long time viewer of Kari and occasional viewer of Caitlin

[@KaritheMortician]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@pippadot679]

FAVORITE Kari, I have so many things I like you've taught me. I learn so much each video I watch. Going to keep going until I see all of them.

[@WhispersFromTheDark]

Wow. I've followed Caitlin for a few years now and found Kari last year and have often wondered how you two would get along because you seem to be so different. But I am amazed and excited to see you two working together on this video. I enjoyed your ideas and can't believe that some of them aren't already part of the curriculum. I enjoyed it Ladies. Keep these videos coming!

[@KaritheMortician]

Wow, thank you!

[@katerogers]

As a current student, you both are spot on! We get a lot of fluff, I didn't even get my first funeral service specific class until half way through.

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you!

[@jnicolelong4572]

I love both of you and thanks for including joelle the grave woman. You three are my funeral service dream team.i am now in Aami mortuary school because of you ladies. Thanks 😘

[@pippadot679]

Thank you for your wisdom and that’s just what it is. You have the smarts to ask all the tough questions and take chances to learn and educate. And I loved your trip to England how great. And a ton I’ve learned. Thank you again.

[@KaritheMortician]

You are so welcome

[@evecyn]

Great conversation, and two ladies to boot. I sat an exam on Friday and before we started the invigilator who is male, said he thought it was fantastic that all of us sitting the exam were ladies. He said that 20 years old it most certainly was not the case. It was a totally male dominated industry. It’s fantastic that this the case. Both sexes bring a mixture off attributes to the deathcare industry. Loved this conversation. You ladies rock 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@KaritheMortician]

That is awesome!!

[@shallaedemers2204]

I love this episode the best. Thank you for this!

[@judyharrell4107]

Wonderful choices to educate more mortuary students! Y'all both came up with great topics. I so enjoy listening to both of you!!❤️

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you so much!

[@donitamcclintic2390]

I am so happy to see you guys together 🥰 You are both very smart women who know what you're talking about. I hope you guys are able to do more collabs in the future! I love watching you ladies!

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you so much!!

[@MarkSpellman2025]

OMG !!!! I have died and gone to heaven!! After the year this has been you both getting together to do this collaboration has really been a morale boost for me thank you !!!!

[@KaritheMortician]

Awww thank you!!

[@obhuicoksetyaetse1]

Sorry to hear you've died and gone to heaven but you're going to need these services anyway. How might we dispose of you? .....

[@gabrielagro443]

I'm so happy to see both of you in the same video!

[@KaritheMortician]

Thanks so much!

[@greglew4731]

Great interactive and thoroughly enjoyable yet informative. Thank you

[@KaritheMortician]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@leoherks]

🥰🥰🥰 Just Two smart ladies morticians hanging out together. I'm thinking to go to the funeral industry,but for now ,I'm just learning ...

[@KaritheMortician]

It was such a great conversation!

[@jwbarnhartmusic]

Thank you for reminding me that I’m from the old generation. I like the “your welcome” v\s “no problem”. How it comes across is all in vocal inflection.

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you!

[@paulwrightwa]

Amazing to see you both! Thank you!

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you!

[@shawnwerre6022]

I hope you had a Merry Christmas, Kari 🎅

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you it was lovely!

[@joshaw1990]

Well both are you are who I follow so this is awesome! Sending love from the UK!

[@KaritheMortician]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@BecomingZyn]

I absolutely love this, and completely agree that all of these classes should be added to the curriculum. I graduate mortuary school summer 2021, and I'm the only student in my classes that does assignments on eco-friendly options. And I truly think that sets me apart, and my professors like having conversations with me on these subjects. Thank you both for this 💞

[@KaritheMortician]

You are so welcome!! Good luck with everything!!

[@JBSDIVERSIFIED]

Great discussion ladies. As people learn more about the embalming process the more they what to learn about green burials. This is where the industry is going back to natural burials. As a former practitioner I've witnessed and been a part of several green burials and actually enjoyed being involved in the process. People of color are embalmed a little differently than Caucasians. You all make very good points and very good discussions.

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you so much!!

[@JBSDIVERSIFIED]

@@KaritheMortician You are welcome! Keep up the good work!

[@kaciphlegar9520]

So excited!!!!!!!!!!!

[@KaritheMortician]

Yeah!!

[@amysalotti]

I am so excited for this!!!!

[@KaritheMortician]

Yeah!!

[@stevew3196]

Just spotted this. I really like the collaborations you have with others in the funeral industry. Great videos😊

[@KaritheMortician]

Thanks so much!

[@stevew3196]

@@KaritheMortician You are welcome😊 It's not that I get tired of listening to what you have to say but it's nice to hear an alternative or even similar perspective. You had that great discussion about dating with the lady mortician and the video you did with the black lady who'd run the funeral business for years. What an adorable sweet soul she is😊 And the video calls with the two guys in the funeral business wher you put on a baseball cap pop open a can of beer and talk shop brilliant😉

[@just__celia]

Loving seeing you together!🖤

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you!!

[@sheri3108]

Loved this video! Two great ladies and awesome discussion!

[@KaritheMortician]

Thanks so much!

[@BeeApple-sr3db]

My favorite classes were Embalming 1 an2 lecture and labs. I loved Pathology too.

[@KaritheMortician]

Nice

[@marilynrich]

I love this video so much. You ladies are so beautiful. Thank you for everything you do. 🥰

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you so much!!

[@Nambazi]

The disposition class that you mention but also tied into cemetery work because folks might not know cemetery work is an option or communication with the cemetery

[@KaritheMortician]

Excellent!

[@stevejarrettnc]

Loved it. Love you both.

[@KaritheMortician]

Thanks!

[@Christian_Girl120]

I love this video! Hi Kari and Caitlin!!! This is wonderful that you two got together to do this. At the risk of sounding like whatever, I believe burial in a casket and vault is a waste of space. From what I've learned, a person decomposes naturally if not buried in a casket. But if they are embalmed, there is a chance they will last much longer. But I'm not sure why a family wants that. The person is deceased and buried, so I'm not sure why they feel it's necessary. My parents decided to be cremated. My sister and I don't have money to bury them, so they took care of it ahead of time. This is a great video!!

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you so much!

[@jgentges]

Such good discussions. I hope you did a video for her channel.

[@KaritheMortician]

I didn't

[@rickmeyers401]

You ladies are my 2 all time favorites! I love your out look and attitudes. Caitlin has a humor like mine & Kari has a dog named Ralph! Two awesome people! Love & respect you both!

[@KaritheMortician]

We appreciate that!

[@ralphhoskins2115]

It finally happened!!!!! I love you two!!!!

[@KaritheMortician]

:)

[@chrisblevins755]

This is a fantastic video! Made my morning!

[@KaritheMortician]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jamarbrando2615]

Wow perfect Tandem!

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you!!

[@jamarbrando2615]

@@KaritheMortician before I was watching you but now Im studying Embalming do you have instagram Ma'am so I can folloe you? I was inspired to be an Embalmer!!!like you

[@fridakahlo5889]

On my way to Funeral Directing/Embalming school in a few months....this is so epically fascinating and I am living for this collaboration!! Thank you for this very informative and helpful discussion!! You two are my two favourite role models going into the profession!

[@KaritheMortician]

Awww thank you!!

[@jeremyirey2630]

Kari this video was long overdue, such a great video. You both make me feel so comfortable with a career change. I have a couple collages set up to meet with to get my mortuary science classes started.

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you so much!!

[@DanielleJacquotMatt]

The education ideas you both have are outstanding! I love the idea of educating about other ethnicities' skin tone and hair care! Many industries require continuing education credits. In a (hopefully) changing field like mortuary arts and sciences, I would love to see funeral directors have paths for learning after they graduate from their degree program. Continuing education may even help revolutionize the industry faster than it just happening organically! Love the crossover! I subscribed to Kari after being a long time fan of Caitlin! 💖

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you!

[@DibIrken]

This is the crossover we have all been waiting for! (I just subscribed a few minutes ago to Kari so that wasn't so long ago but YEEEEAHHHH!!!)

[@KaritheMortician]

:) Thanks

[@Nambazi]

And yes on the restorative art end. I have embalming labs in winter and restorative arts in spring and my goal for my head is to do someone like Whoopie Goldberg or Bob Marley so I can help keep folks with loced hair in tact. Although most of the cases I’ve done are short haired. But I’ve seen several occasions where folks have wanted to take locs out

[@KaritheMortician]

There is so much more to learn in that area for sure!!

[@londonkyguy]

Loved it.

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you!!

[@scottycarp1]

Caitlyn! I do hope you took Kari to Forest Lawn Glendale! It should be on EVERYBODY’S vacay list, maybe

[@scottycarp1]

Caitlin, so sorry for misspelling your name

[@KaritheMortician]

Thanks for watching.

[@2LittleDachshunds]

Such a great conversation! Thanks ladies!

[@KaritheMortician]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sweetexception4601]

Finally my two favorites and ones I look up to the most! Ahhh! I can't believe this! I'm beyond thrilled to see you two together and I really appreciate this so much. I can almost die happy now 🙂 I can die fully happy once I meet you both. I have learned so much from you both 🖤💀🖤

[@KaritheMortician]

We appreciate that!! THank you!

[@michellehenry6278]

Thanks for sharing.

[@KaritheMortician]

Our pleasure!

[@michaeldickens7493]

How fabulous my my two funeral director icons at last lol just fantastic!

[@KaritheMortician]

Awww thanks!

[@joemelvyn2588]

Thank You! Your Welcome! Means Respect........

[@KaritheMortician]

:)

[@barbatloosenutproductions2027]

I'll be there, with bells on! And since it's the holiday season? Jingle bells! 🎅🤶🌲🍭☃️❄🔔

[@KaritheMortician]

:)

[@craigb9489]

OMG! I love both of you and the information you both present on your channels. Caitlin is a breath of fresh air and brings comedy to the terrible topic of death. As a Michigander, I love Kari's information regarding what's going on in Michigan. I've never heard of aquamation, but at least I know that currently it's not legal here. Thank you both for doing what you do and putting out the information on KZbin!

[@KaritheMortician]

Thanks so much for the support!