OSHA: A Practical Guide for Funeral Service

Edith C. Churchman

Edith C. Churchman, Ph.D., CFSP is a partner at the James E. Churchman Jr. Funeral Home of Newark, New Jersey. She is a forth generation funeral director in a family owned business, which was founded in 1899 by her great-grandfather, Rev. James Churchman. It is the oldest African American owned funeral business in Northern New Jersey. Rev. Churchman saw a need for the establishment of African American businesses, he was unique in the fact that his establishment was strictly a funeral business, and did not have its origins in cabinet making.

Dr. Churchman received her Bachelors degree in Speech and Theater Arts from Heidleberg College of Tiffin, Ohio. She received her Masters degree from Emerson College of Boston, Massachusetts in Rhetoric and Public Address, and her Ph.D. from Bowling Green State University of Bowling Green, Ohio in Interpersonal and Public Communications. She holds a certificate of completion in funeral service from the New England Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, and a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner designation from the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. She is also a licensed insurance producer.

Dr. Churchman has been widely published in funeral service trade journals. Through her work with the Education Commission of the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, and her involvement with many funeral service organizations on the local, state, and national level. Dr. Churchman actively pursues her mission as an advocate for the advancement of funeral service, especially as it pertains to African American owned and operated businesses.

Dr. Churchman is an active member of the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, the National Funeral Directors Association, and the Funeral Ethics Association and is a past president of the Board of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice.