The adage, "There's nothing certain but death and taxes," still rings true. But at least we're willing to talk (read: complain) about taxes. Death? Much harder to engage. Yet as COVID stares us in the face, even the most reticent are confronting the topic. Michael LuBrant has embraced death throughout his career, first as a funeral director and now as director of the Program of Mortuary Science at the University of Minnesota Medical School. In the position he's held since 2002, he guides future funeral directors through end-of-life rituals. But this semester's new realities — virtual learning, Zoom funerals — offer teaching moments unlike any other. He shares his thoughts on the challenges and opportunities below.
Q: I'm going to generalize here: Why do you think Westerners tend to avoid talk of death? Even with COVID, it's too easy to ignore the staggering number of deaths.
A: In my experience working as a funeral director, the conversation and acceptance of death varies based on one's traditions and culture. Some families have a stronger desire to separate from that. There's so much variation and nuance. But with the growing number of deaths attended to by hospice caregivers, there's more engagement than in the past.
Q: But it sounds like you still have your work cut out for you.
A: As I travel the state, what do you think the most common question we get from high school students is? It's not about the job or salary. It's "What's a funeral?" Many have not had experience with death. Their grandparents are still living. We really didn't think about this when I started this work 35 years ago. Back then, especially in smaller communities, more people knew their funeral director. It's so incumbent on us to be advocates for our profession. We have to be more visible.
Q: How rare is it to have a mortician on a medical school staff?
A: We're the only medical school in the country with a mortuary science program attached to it. We offer a 120-credit bachelor of science degree in mortuary science. The program started in 1908 with founders who wanted this aspect of health care as part of the continuum of care.
Q: What sets apart the young people who choose this program?