OGR's The Independent magazine recently caught up with Aiyanna Rivera from Pollock-Randall, Karrer-Simpson, & Marysville Funeral Homes in Port Huron, Michigan to talk about all things funeral service including her career, the latest trends, and last year's OGR Future Leaders Forum, which Aiyanna had a key role in hosting and planning. Check out the full interview below, and OGR members can view the entire issue in our digital magazine archive. 

What is your official job title and age? 

I am a funeral director and embalmer, and I am 21 years old. 

How many years have you worked in funeral service? 

I got a job in funeral service right after completing Mortuary School at Wayne State University about 2 years ago. 

Why did you begin working in funeral service? 

I felt called to a job where I could help my community. After completing a job shadow, at the funeral home I now work at, I knew this was the career for me. 

What is the most rewarding part of your occupation? 

There is absolutely no better feeling that walking a family into the visitation chapel and having them say their loved one looks better than they have in years or that everything in the room is better than they could have imagined. I do everything I can to paint the picture, but exceeding family expectations is always my goal. 

What are your professional goals? 

As I am still new to the profession, my biggest goal is to grow and learn from the directors around me, and I hope to pursue a Master's Degree in the near future. 

What are you proud of that you have achieved so far during your career in funeral service? 

I have the wonderful opportunity to have owners care about our funeral service passion projects. Over the past couple years I have been able to establish our funeral homes as donation centers for University of Michigan's Pacemaker Donation Program. I am also proud of my work with the Michigan Funeral Directors Association and Gift of Life Michigan Work Group. This group meets several times a year to allow collaboration and to offer ideas for honoring "Donor Heroes."

I have become a Certified Cremation Services Provider with NFDA and a Certified Funeral Service Professional with APFSP. I was also one of 25 funeral directors chosen for the NFDA Meet the Mentors program where I was able to learn from some phenomenal directors and participate in the Advocacy Summit. 

What are some important/notable trends that you have noticed in funeral service? 

I think one of the biggest changes I have noticed is the increase in social media funeral directors and the type of death education going on in the media. We have an opportunity with social media to educate on the value of funeral service to families and the community. I think the important thing for funeral homes to recognize is that people want to know more about the work we do, and we need to be aware of what misinformation is being spread so we can share the truth with our communities. 

What benefits have you received from being involved with OGR Future Leaders? What would you say to others who are uncertain about getting involved with this group? 

This group has been instrumental for creating personal contacts across the country, hearing other new voices in funeral service and knowing my voice is being heard. After last year's forum I was able to bring fresh ideas back to the funeral home. The people, education, and sense of community it provides are so valuable. 

How do you spend your time outside of work? Is there anything in particular that you enjoy doing? 

I spend a lot of my time outside of work at my church volunteering with our growing youth program. I have come to love each of those kids as my own, and I am so excited to see the people they become. Living near Lake Huron, I also spend a lot of time at the beach in the summer. 

What are three personal goals you have? 

I hope to continue with my church involvement, work on creating balance with commitments and free time, and spend more time out int he garden at my house. 

Who or what inspires you? 

I think in my life I have two major inspirations. The first is my mom. She was a single mom who taught me so much about how to achieve what I am passionate about. She taught me about independence and also taught me it's okay to ask for help. I would not be the person I am today without her constant character building throughout my childhood. The second is one of the funeral home owners, John Kendrick. He meets around 250 families each year, does a majority of the embalmings, attends almost every service, is on call every night, and manages to do it all with a level head. In addition to this, he is active in our community being on the board or a member of several groups and active in his church. Almost everyone in our community knows him. As a boss, he is always willing to work alongside us, give us opportunities to learn, and encourages us to attend educational and community events as often as we can. He has taught me so much over the past two years, and I can't wait to see how much more I get to learn. 

What is one thing that you believe your peers would be surprised to know about you? 

Although I don't typically enjoying parties and events, I love hosting them. I grew up in the South and love when I have opportunities to share that classic southern hospitality. 

What do you value most about OGR? 

I love that OGR has a tight-knit feel to it. Even though it is a large organization, the funeral homes have a shared understanding of what funeral service means to us. We also are able to build deeper connections because of the events and round tables that OGR hosts. 

The association tries to "follow the Golden Rule." What other mantra do you try to live by? 

Set your mind on things above Colossians 3:2 - I tend to get wrapped up in the moment, and this verse reminds me that God is in control of everything, including the plans He has for me.