Welcome to issue four of the AAMI Newsletter. We promise not to clutter your inbox — only updates once or twice a month on all things AAMI. In this edition:

• By the Numbers — Women in Funeral Service

• Summer Session Starts May 4 (Register for Fall)

• The Big Story (Why Women Are Leading the Way in Funeral Service Nationwide)

• Hot Topics (Quick headlines)

6 Telling Stats

1. 85% using financial aid

2. 73% applicants female (summer session 2026)

3. 65% recent grads female (as of Apr 2021)

4. 45% non-white

5. 34% HS diploma only

6. 12% military affiliation

Statistics provided by AAMI data tracking. Below, The Big Story tells the winder story.

High Demand. High Security. One Minute to Apply. We’re seen our highest application numbers in years during our summer enrollment season. Why? Because our graduates enter an AI-proof career with a 90% employment rate.

Apply in just 60 seconds and secure your seat for the fall semester.

Classes begin August 31.

And cheers to students starting and returning this summer!

LEARN MORE

The Big Story

WHY WOMEN ARE LEADING THE WAY IN FUNERAL SERVICE NATIONWIDE

Exclusive data from AAMI reveals a profession in transformation

For the past five years, the American Academy McAllister Institute has been quietly tracking a significant shift in who is choosing funeral service as a career — and the numbers tell a compelling story. Drawn from more than 500 students and applicants, AAMI’s exclusive data reveals that women are not just entering the field; they are redefining it.

As of spring 2021, 65% of recent AAMI graduates were women. By the summer 2026 application session, that figure climbed to 73% of all applicants — a trend that shows no signs of slowing. The data also reflects a student body that is increasingly diverse: 45% of applicants identify as non-white, 34% hold a high school diploma as their highest prior credential, 85% rely on financial aid, and 12% carry a military affiliation.

Just fifty years ago, according to Green Cremation, women accounted for only 5% of funeral service graduates. By 2000, they had grown to represent half of all program completers nationwide. Now, as AAMI reports, nearly three in four applicants identify as female.

So what’s driving the surge? According to Sabrina Joynes, AAMI Academic Coordinator, Adjunct Faculty Member, and NYS Licensed Funeral Director, the answer lies in the evolving nature of the profession itself.

“Many women are drawn to funeral service because they’re seeking meaningful, purpose-driven work,” says Joynes. “This profession allows them to be there for families during one of the hardest moments in their lives — and that resonates.”

Joynes notes that the role has shifted considerably from its historical image. “It’s no longer seen as just a family business,” she explains. “It’s a respected, structured career path. The work isn’t just technical anymore — it’s about communication, care, and guiding families, which naturally attracts people who value connection and service.”

That value proposition is drawing women from a wide range of prior careers. Joynes reports that the most common fields applicants are transitioning from include event planning, healthcare, hospitality, and law enforcement — backgrounds where managing high-stakes situations and supporting people under stress are already second nature.

“A lot of skills transfer really well, especially working with families, handling logistics, and staying calm under pressure,” Joynes says. “I also see quite a few second-career professionals leaving jobs that feel unfulfilling and seeking something more meaningful.”

The pattern emerging at AAMI mirrors a national trend. Women now comprise the majority of students in mortuary science programs across the country, and increasingly represent the majority of workers in funeral homes as well. What was once a male-dominated, family-trade profession is becoming a modern career of choice — and women are leading the way.

For anyone considering a path in funeral service, AAMI’s centennial year may be the ideal moment to take that first step. The data makes one thing unmistakably clear: you’d be in very good company.

More stats:

🎉 Milestone: AAMI Newsletter surpasses 50,000 views since Issue 1, Nov 2025 - Thank you to our readers!

• ✍️ AAMI Blog: How Technology is Reshaping Mortuary Science… - Check it Out

• ⭐ Hollywood Star: Why Nicole Kidman is focused on death - Read Now

• 🪦 ‘Unclaimed Dead’: MI groups push for ‘dignity in death’ – Learn Why

• 💲 Higher Salaries: States with highest pay in funeral service - See Where

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Welcome to issue four of the AAMI Newsletter. We promise not to clutter your inbox — only updates once or twice a month on all things AAMI. In this edition:

• Learning to Serve in the Digital Age (Dustin Caprioli Q&A)

• Enroll for Summer Session (Classes Start May 4)

• The Big Story (Leonardo DiCaprio and Hollywood Are Coming…)

• Hot Topics (Quick headlines)

AAMI Graduate on the Future-Proof Profession of Funeral Service

In an era when artificial intelligence is reshaping entire industries, one profession stands apart: funeral service. Not because it has resisted technology, but because what it demands most — genuine human connection — is something no algorithm can replicate.

Dustin Caprioli knows this firsthand. A U.S. Navy veteran and Parsons-trained fashion designer, Dustin arrived at the American Academy McAllister Institute carrying a life’s worth of varied experience. Today, he is a licensed funeral director at Riverside Memorial Chapel on Manhattan’s Upper West Side — and a compelling voice for why AAMI’s accredited funeral service education program prepares students for both the timeless and the technological.

On choosing funeral service: “My dad once told me, ‘Pull the trigger and don’t look back.’ That’s how I live my life. I absolutely love my job.”

On what AAMI taught him: “AAMI taught me structure. Structure is consistency that creates trust. Trust isn’t just a foundation — it’s an umbrella with multiple dimensions, and in our industry, trust is essential for long-term success.”

On AI and the future of funeral service: “I believe the funeral profession is fundamentally AI-proof because human connection cannot be replaced. I have seen automation in first-call services — it can be helpful for directors, but it may harm the funeral home, as it affects our first interaction with grieving families.”

On advice to current AAMI students: “Stay curious. Curiosity is a discipline. Even after you graduate, earn your funeral director license, and enter the field, we are always in a perpetual state of learning. If your passion goes beyond the aesthetic into the reality of the profession, your constant curiosity is the clearest sign you are where you are supposed to be.”

Dustin’s path — from naval service to fashion to funeral care — mirrors the kind of multidimensional student AAMI has always attracted: people who have lived, observed, and chosen purpose over convenience. His story is one chapter in a longer one: a century of shaping funeral professionals who are ready for whatever the world brings next. As New York City’s longest-standing mortuary science institution enters its centennial year, it continues to produce graduates who understand that no technology can replace the hand held in grief, or the quiet dignity of a life honored well.

We’re seeing our highest application numbers in years. So, don’t wait.

The summer semester around the corner. Our new 60-second application makes it easier than ever to apply. Enroll now and earn a degree when our graduates see a 90% post-graduate employment rate nationwide.

Time is running out—LEARN MORE.

The Big Story

Leonardo DiCaprio and Hollywood Are Coming for the Funeral Industry – Here's What We Know

A new documentary from some of Hollywood’s biggest names is headed to the death care industry’s doorstep — and professionals in the field would do well to know what’s coming.

Death Boom, a feature-length documentary directed by Jessica Chandler, is currently in post-production with a high-profile team: filmmaker Eli Roth, Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way Productions, and QC Entertainment (Get Out, BlacKkKlansman). The film reunites Roth and Appian Way, who previously collaborated on Fin, the shark-finning documentary that contributed to the shutdown of shark kill tournaments along the East Coast of the U.S. That film had real policy consequences — a signal that this team knows how to move public opinion.

AAMI linked to the original Deadline story in Issue 7 of the institute’s newsletter.

Death Boom examines the environmental and mental health impacts of embalming, cremation, and traditional burial, told through the perspectives of death care workers themselves as they prepare for the passing of 77 million baby boomers. The film also takes on the political, religious, and corporate forces it says are standing in the way of greener burial alternatives becoming widely accessible.

No one outside the production has seen the finished film yet, so it’s too early to know how fairly or accurately the profession may be portrayed. What is clear is that Death Boom will reach a mass audience — and that makes it worth watching closely.

What that audience may not know is just how rigorously regulated the death care profession already is. The FTC’s Funeral Rule, enacted in 1984 and amended in 1994, is a federal regulation requiring funeral providers to give consumers detailed information about the goods and services they purchase, with the FTC conducting undercover inspections every year to verify compliance. Beyond federal oversight, most states require candidates for funeral directing and embalming licensure to complete accredited mortuary college programs, pass national and state board examinations, undergo background checks, and complete supervised internships. These actions are part of a rigorous credentialing process comparable to many healthcare professions. Funeral homes and embalming facilities are also required operate under OSHA workplace safety standards.

For AAMI graduates and students, the very professionals this film may depict, Death Boom may be less a verdict than a conversation starter.

The green burial movement is growing, consumer preferences are shifting, and mainstream media is paying attention. The most effective response isn’t defensiveness; it’s engagement. Death care professionals bring decades of licensed expertise, genuine care for the families they serve, and firsthand knowledge of the practical, public health, and regulatory realities that shape current practices.

Death Boom does not yet have a release date.

• ✍️ AAMI Blog: What Makes Mortuary Science Education Different… - Read Now

• 🧑‍💼 New Leaders: NFDA Announces New Board Candidates - See Who

• 🎪 Exhibitors Welcome: NYSFDA Annual Convention Registration – Learn More

• 📜 Protecting Ground: House OKs ancestral burial place returns - Check News

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Welcome to issue four of the AAMI Newsletter. We promise not to clutter your inbox — only updates once or twice a month on all things AAMI. In this edition:

• U.S. Pay at a Glance (Earnings Snapshot)

• Summer Registration (New 60-second Application)

• The Big Story (What are the Highest Paying States for Funeral Services Careers)

• Hot Topics (Quick headlines)

U.S. Pay at a Glance

Funeral service earnings tell a surprising story. While the national median for directors is $49,800, growth potential is significant. Management roles command a $76,830 median, with top earners clearing $131,360. In regions like Hartford, averages reach $135,170.

This upward trend aligns with a projected 4% to 5% job growth through 2033, driven by an aging U.S. population. As the industry professionalizes, the demand for leaders who can navigate complex logistics and emotional intelligence is rising. In 2026, funeral service stands as a resilient, “recession-proof” sector, offering a stable six-figure path through specialized management rather than traditional tech.

Read our Big Story, below, for more findings and information.

With the May 4 summer semester fast approaching, seats at AAMI are filling rapidly. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to pivot into funeral service, this is it.

The reimagined 60-second application has replaced 20 pages of paperwork with a single, streamlined form. In the time it takes to grab a coffee, you can apply to a program boasting a 90% post-graduate employment rate. Don’t let the deadline pass—secure your spot today.

The Big Story

What are the Highest Paying States for Funeral Services Careers?

Where you practice matters – and right now, the national map is full of opportunity.

Seven states and regions are paying funeral home managers/directors over $107,000 annually: Connecticut leads at more than $133,000, followed by Rhode Island/Massachusetts at $116,500, and the DC-VA-MD-WV corridor at $110,000. Michigan, California, Ohio, and Minnesota/Wisconsin all clear the $107,000 threshold.

What does this mean for graduates and career changers in 2026? Geographic mobility equals earning power. But even beyond the top-paying states, every region needs funeral professionals – meaning you have leverage to choose lifestyle, cost of living, and proximity to family.

Unlike tech jobs clustering in expensive coastal cities, funeral service offers strong compensation across diverse markets. You're not forced to choose between career and quality of life.

Data sources: U.S. BLS (OES & Outlook), NFDA, CANA, ICFSEB, ABFSE, state boards, Colorado SB24-173.

• ✍️ AAMI Blog: Transferring military experience to funeral service - Read Now

• 🧑‍💼 New Jobs: Careers in funeral service across the USA - Explore Careers

• 🖤 Dressing the Dead: Early clothing and the newly deceased – Learn More

• 🎬 BBC Story: Leonardo DiCaprio takes on the funeral industry - Check News

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Welcome to issue four of the AAMI Newsletter. We promise not to clutter your inbox — only updates once or twice a month on all things AAMI. In this edition:

• BREAKING: New Application (Now live)

• The Big Story (The Deepfake Eulogy: A New Liability Danger…)

• Hot Topics (Quick headlines)

BREAKING: Our New College Application is Finally Here — Fast & Easy to Complete

We heard you. The era of the "prehistoric," multi-page application is over.

We’ve reimagined the entire process, replacing pages of paperwork with essentially one single, streamlined form. What used to be (literally) 20 pages and took (figuratively) three years to complete is now ancient history.

This transition offers several key benefits:

• One Page only

• Two Minutes to complete

• Super Easy and narrowed down to only the essentials.

Share this news now with a prospective student, so they can join a program that maintains a nearly 90% post-graduate employment rate. We’re sorry for the delay. Modern times are now upon us.

The Big Story

The Deepfake Eulogy: A New Liability Danger in Funeral Service Creeping Towards Law

For over a century, a funeral director’s “Chain of Custody” ended at the graveside. But as of early 2026, that chain has extended into the digital afterlife, bringing a high-stakes legal trap: the unauthorized digital replica.

Imagine a service where a family plays a “Deepfake Eulogy” - a hyper-realistic AI video of the deceased delivering their own final farewell. It is a powerful moment of closure until a dissenting heir files a lawsuit against your firm for hosting it. This is no longer a theoretical “sci-fi” scenario; it is a matter of immediate compliance.

The Legal Teeth

Authoritative legal shifts in New York and California have fundamentally redefined “digital remains”:

• The New York Mandate: As of December 2025, NY updated its Civil Rights Law (§ 50-f), making it a civil offense to use a “digital replica” of a deceased person without explicit consent from heirs or executors. Crucially, the law now removes the “likelihood of deception” requirement. If the replica isn’t authorized, it’s a violation - period.

• California’s Expansion: Effective January 1, 2026, California expanded its post-mortem rights to specifically cover “AI-generated digital replicas,” protecting an individual’s likeness for 70 years after death.

• Federal Watch: The NO FAKES Act of 2025, currently moving through the 119th Congress, seeks to create a federal right for all individuals - not just celebrities - to control their digital voice and likeness.

Why the Funeral Home is at Risk

Under these new statutes, a funeral home providing the screen, the audio system, or the livestream platform for a deepfake memorial could be held liable as a “distributor” of unauthorized media. If “Sibling A” creates an AI version of a parent that “Sibling B” finds offensive or a violation of the estate’s rights, your firm is the one that physically facilitated the infringement.

The Bottom Line: You wouldn’t perform a cremation without a signed permit. In 2026, you should not host a synthetic memorial without a Digital Likeness Release. As the industry shifts from caretakers of the body to custodians of the legacy, your “standard contracts” must evolve to protect you from the digital beyond.

• 📝 AAMI Blog: What to expect as a student - Get the Scoop

• 💻 New App: Complete the new AAMI application in minutes - Apply Now

• 🤖 The Atlantic: Re-animating the dead: who “owns” them? – Read Now

• 🌟 BBC Story: Andy Goldsworthy and gravestone artwork - Learn More

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Welcome to issue four of the AAMI Newsletter. We promise not to clutter your inbox — only updates once or twice a month on all things AAMI. In this edition:

• New Alumni Page (Now live)

• Rapid Fire Q&A (Alumnus: Myla Brown)

• The Big Story (…46% of Funeral Home Owners Set to Retire Before 2030)

• Hot Topics (Quick headlines)

We mentioned it in the last issue — but are featuring it now. AAMI graduates now have a dedicated hub at aami.edu/alumni with career resources designed to support your next move.

The page features job boards from 35+ state funeral directors associations, plus listings from national organizations like NFDA and Selected Independent Funeral Homes. You’ll also find career portals for major employers including SCI/Dignity Memorial, Carriage Services, Foundation Partners Group, and Park Lawn Corporation.

Whether you’re job hunting, exploring ownership opportunities, or simply staying connected to the AAMI community, this is your starting point. Bookmark it today.

She swore she’d never do it. Myla Brown grew up around her family’s funeral home and spent years insisting she wouldn’t follow that path. Now she’s a class of 2025 AAMI graduate preparing to get licensed, and she’s not looking back.

Why funeral service?

“I love helping people, talking to people, I appreciate art and cosmetology, and I love telling people what to do and where to go.”

What did AAMI teach you that stuck?

“How to be a great test taker. My approach to exams is completely different and much more effective.”

Biggest misconception about funeral directors?

“People assume funeral directors are antisocial weirdos or only care about money. My classmates and teachers are some of the nicest, funniest people I know.”

Why is this career AI-proof?

“AI is fine for scheduling meetings, automated messages, and payment reminders, those are the most bureaucratic parts of the job that would probably benefit from a lack of human error. But loss and grief are experiences that will always require human interaction.”

Advice for someone considering this path?

“There are so many different roles, science, art, clerical work, design, accounting. There’s a role for everybody.”

Myla’s journey reveals something prospective students often overlook: funeral service doesn’t require you to become someone new, it asks you to bring everything you already are. In a job market anxious about automation, Myla isn’t worried. She knows what humans will always need from other humans.

The Big Story

The Ownership Opportunity: 46% of Funeral Home Owners Set to Retire Before 2030

For new licensees, the path to equity and ownership has never been clearer

The most critical statistic in funeral service right now isn’t about cremation rates—it’s about succession.

According to data referenced by the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) and The Foresight Companies, nearly 46% of funeral home owners are in the midst of retiring before 2030. Yet a significant portion of these businesses lack a clear succession plan.

This creates a buyer’s market for the next generation.

For new licensees entering the field in 2026, the path to equity is clearer than ever. Valuations from groups like NewBridge Group indicate that independent firms are actively seeking qualified, licensed successors to preserve their legacy against corporate consolidation.

What This Means for AAMI Graduates and Alumni:

You aren’t just training for a job - you’re training to acquire a stable, community-anchored asset. In this industry, the “exit strategy” for the current generation is the “entry strategy” for yours.

5 Ways to Identify Opportunities:

• Watch for signs: Long-tenured owners without visible next-generation involvement; funeral homes not affiliated with SCI or other corporate groups

• Geo-target: Not all locations are the same. Seven regions across the U.S. are particularly more profitable than others — as explored on our LinkedIn page

• Build relationships: Ask for casual conversations with funeral home owners to discuss their own journey, ask advice on how to choose a funeral home to buy; this is an opportunity to build trust-equity with sellers

• Ask directly: Many owners are relieved when a qualified professional expresses interest in their legacy

• Engage brokers: Firms like NewBridge and The Foresight Companies specialize in matching buyers with sellers

The next five years represent a generational wealth transfer in funeral service. Position yourself accordingly.

• 📝 AAMI Blog: Essential qualifications for a career in funeral service – Read Now

• 💻 NFDA Women in Leadership: Accepting nominations for 2026 award – Vote

• 🛍️Now Law: New Jersey law ensures unclaimed veteran burials. - Learn More

• 🌟AAMI Press: AAMI celebrates 100 years of excellence… – Check it Out

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Welcome to issue four of the AAMI Newsletter. We promise not to clutter your inbox — only updates once or twice a month on all things AAMI. In this edition:

• Centennial Merch (New swag is here!)

• New application (Coming soon)

• The Big Story (Cremation Rate Doubles Burial for First Time in U.S. History…)

• Hot Topics (Quick headlines)

  • Announcing the NEW ALUMNI PAGE on AAMI.edu

AAMI celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026 — and loads of new items are here! Step into our next century in style with the exclusive new collection now available. We’ve curated a lineup of premium wearables and shareables to help you honor our history while looking forward to the future.

Featuring:

• Limited-edition designs featuring the prestigious AAMI Centennial logo

• Active wear Nike apparel with an AAMI twist to flex those muscles

• Fresh fits including street-ready hoodies, windbreakers, and tees

• Daily essentials from mugs to mousepads to even (wait for it) wine tumblers

• Travel essentials like durable duffle bags and backpacks for life on the go

Visit the AAMI Merch Store to grab your gear — own a piece of the history you’re helping to write!

We welcome new students to the start of our spring semester in January 2026! In addition, an important update for all to know — AAMI will be rolling out a brand new SIMPLIFIED APPLICATION soon.

The new application will reduce the 20+ sections an applicant used to have to wrangle down to one easy streamlined page. The goal is to remove the pain and headaches of old technology and to help applicants apply faster and more efficiently than ever before. Visit the website for more information.

We’re excited to update you as we roll it out. Stay tuned!

The Big Story

Cremation Rate Doubles Burial for First Time in U.S. History, Trend Accelerating

Industry reaches historic tipping point as projections show cremation headed toward 82% by 2045, with all 50 states preferring cremation by more than 50%

The National Funeral Directors Association’s 2025 Cremation & Burial Report confirms what many in the profession have witnessed: cremation has reached 63.4% nationally – more than double the 31.6% burial rate. It’s the first-time cremation rates have exceeded burial by more than 2:1, marking a fundamental shift in American end-of-life arrangements.

The momentum shows no signs of slowing. By 2035, every U.S. state will have a cremation rate exceeding 50%. By 2045, cremation will account for 82.3% of all dispositions, with burial declining to just 13%. Only three states currently maintain majority-burial preferences, down from dozens a decade ago.

What’s Driving the Change

The shift reflects converging cultural and economic forces. Americans identifying as Christian dropped from 78% to 60% between 2007 and 2023, while religiously unaffiliated adults grew from 16% to 28%. Cost pressures and geographic mobility also play roles.

The Workforce Reality

Despite industry transformation according to the data, while many careers face automation and displacement, funeral service offers something rare: stable, predictable demand that can't be outsourced or automated. With 4% steady growth and significant replacement needs from retiring professionals, graduates enter a field where skills stay relevant and jobs stay secure – even as other industries face disruption

The profession’s evolution demands practitioners fluent in both traditional burial practices and modern cremation services. Families choosing cremation still seek meaningful remembrance – 61.4% express interest in green options, while over half of funeral homes now offer livestreaming. Technology integration, personalization, and comprehensive service remain differentiators.

Education programs have been tracking this shift. AAMI published on this topic in December 2025, emphasizing how cremation’s rise is expanding career paths beyond traditional directing – from crematory operations to pre-planning to restorative art – reflecting broader industry adaptation.

As NFDA President Christopher P. Robinson notes, the heart of funeral service – helping people honor lives with dignity – remains constant even as methods evolve. The question facing the profession isn’t whether change is coming. It’s whether enough skilled professionals will be ready to meet it.

• 🎓NEW ALUMNI PAGE: career opportunities, transcripts, more - Check it Out

• 📝 AAMI Blog: Exploring Career Paths Beyond Funeral Directing – Read Now

• 💻 Pet Cemetery: Pet funeral services to reach $3.75B by 2030 – See the Stats

• 🛍️New Merch: AAMI celebrates 100-year anniversary - Shop Now

• 🌟DEAD Talks in Vegas: ICCFA conference gets underway Jan 13-15 – Register

• 🏛️ Earn 6 CE Credits: NFDA virtual conference Feb 17-18 – Learn More

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Welcome to Issue 3 of the AAMI Newsletter. We promise not to clutter your inbox – only updates once or twice a month on all things AAMI. In this edition:

• Apply by Dec 5 (One of the most stable careers)

• The Big Story (NEW STUDY: Funeral Directors Among 10 AI-Proof Careers)

• Hot Topics (Quick headlines)

If you’ve been thinking about finding a truly stable career – or nudging someone you care about to take that leap – this is the moment. Mortuary science remains one of the most reliable, respected, and future-proof professions in the country. The data doesn’t lie. Read The Big Story, below.

Apply by December 5th. Seats go quickly.

Classes start on January 5, 2026. Finish in 18 months.

Helpful links:

• Apply Now

• How to Apply

• Tuition & Fees

• Scholarships

Questions? We got you! Email us anytime, or call us before 2pm EST on weekdays: 212-757-1190.

The Big Story

NEW STUDY: Funeral Directors Among 10 AI-Proof Careers

The rise of AI has sparked intense debate about which jobs are at risk. But a big part of the story, supported by empirical data, is about augmentation, not just automation and replacement. For jobs requiring physical presence, specialized dexterity, or deep human empathy, current AI technology offers minimal assistance, making these roles effectively AI-proof careers and highly resistant to replacement.

According to a new Microsoft Research study, the global tech giant uses an AI Applicability Score (ranging from 0 to 1) to measure how well a job’s activities overlap with current AI chatbot capabilities. A score near 0.00 indicates the job is profoundly safe from automation.

Some of the jobs most at risk with the rise in AI, according to the study: Interpreters and Translators (0.49), Historians (0.48), Customer Service Representatives (0.44).

However, 10 of the most AI-proof occupations share two protective factors: physical labor/technical skill and/or non-digital, empathetic interaction:

1. Dredge Operators (Score: 0.00): These professionals handle specialized heavy machinery in dynamic, real-world aquatic environments. The complexity of operating and troubleshooting physical equipment in an unpredictable setting is non-digital and non-automatable.

2. Bridge and Lock Tenders (Score: 0.00): Operating critical public infrastructure – like ensuring the safe passage of boats through waterways – requires real-time, physical control and complex judgment that AI cannot handle.

3. Water Treatment Plant Operators (Score: 0.00): Monitoring and regulating complex, physical, and often outdated mechanical systems that handle public health require hands-on maintenance and immediate, non-algorithmic decision-making.

4. Foundry Mold/Coremakers (Score: 0.00): This work relies on manual crafting, forming, and physical manipulation of materials. It is highly specialized, tactile, and requires a level of physical skill AI cannot replicate.

5. Orderlies (Score: 0.00): This job is defined by direct physical interaction and assistance with patients, demanding both strength and a human element of care that is impossible for a remote algorithm to provide.

6. Logging Equipment Operators (Score: 0.01): Operating heavy machinery in complex, natural, and unpredictable terrain requires a high degree of situational awareness and physical control that exceeds current AI systems.

7. Prosthodontists (Score: 0.02): These dentists specialize in the custom design, manufacture, and fitting of oral prosthetics. The work is intensely technical, manual, and requires fine motor skills applied to a unique human body.

8. Embalmer/Funeral Director (Score: 0.03): The highly empathetic and specialized nature of mortuary science and funeral service leadership makes it exceptionally secure. In particular, the embalming aspects of the profession are a key factor in giving the career a near-zero applicability score, confirming that this job is certain to remain fundamentally human.

9. Nursing Assistants (Score: 0.03): Similar to Orderlies, this role centers on intimate, direct physical care, monitoring, and emotional support for patients. The necessity of physical presence and human touch acts as a robust firewall against AI replacement.

10. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (Score: 0.03): This highly complex, invasive surgical field demands years of manual training, precision, and the ability to adapt to biological variables in real-time – a purely human domain.

The Takeaway:

The data confirms that while AI is incredibly capable of assisting with information-gathering, written communication, and computational tasks, it hits a wall when faced with human touch, physical dexterity, and human empathy.

For professionals like the Funeral Service Director, AI may serve as a valuable assist in some respects, but the core work of the career will remain a stable, non-negotiable human endeavor.

Learn more: aami.edu

• 🙏Giving Tuesday: It’s Tomorrow. Consider a Contribution to AAMI - Give Now

• 📝AAMI Blog: Lessons From Switching Careers to Funeral Service - Read Now

• 📣FSI Story: Viral moment signals shifting funeral landscape - What is it?

• 🖥️KB Webinar: Cremation trends in funeral service - Register

• 💹SCI News: Funeral Industry Posts Q3 Gains - Steady Cash Flow - Get the data

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Welcome to Issue 2 of the AAMI Newsletter. We promise not to clutter your inbox – only updates once or twice a month on all things AAMI. In this edition:

• Apply Now for Next Semester (Classes start in Jan.)

• Advance the Mission (Tax-Deductible Donations)

• The Big Story (PASS IT FORWARD – Alumni referral program)

• Hot Topics (Quick headlines)

Pro tip: Don’t wait until after the holidays. If you’ve been thinking seriously about a career move – or know someone who should – the Spring 2026 semester is the smartest moment to begin.

Enrollment is open now. Apply by December 5th. Seats lock in fast.

The next spring semester is scheduled to start on January 5, 2026.

If you plan to apply, do it before the holidays hit your calendar – and your time gets away from you.

Helpful links:

• Apply Now

• How to Apply

• Tuition & Fees

• Scholarships

Questions? We got you! Email us anytime, or call us before 2pm EST on weekdays: 212-757-1190.

Advance the Mission is AAMI’s centennial giving campaign – a call to alumni, friends, and partners to help raise $100,000 as we move into our 100-year anniversary.

• Tax-deductible (so, give now before end of year)

• Make a donation in honor or in memory of someone

• CLICK HERE TO GIVE NOW

For a century, AAMI has trained the funeral service professionals our communities depend on. With your support, we can continue that legacy by equipping the next generation with the highest standard of education and professional readiness for a stable, AI-proof career.

Your gift ensures the mission continues – into our next centennial, and beyond.

The Big Story

PASS IT FORWARD – Alumni referral program

Help Shape the Next 100 Years of Funeral Service. Recommend to us new or returning students you feel are right for mortuary science and funeral service education.

AAMI turns 100 in 2026.

That milestone is more than a headline – it’s a handoff.

Because the work of AAMI-educated Funeral Service Directors continue only if the next generation is prepared with the empathy, composure, and commitment our profession requires. For nearly a century, mortuary service has depended on people with the integrity to show up for others in their most difficult moments. Our alumni live that reality. You know what this work demands.

So we, kindly, ask you – as someone who has done this with us – to help shape who does this work next.

If you know someone who would thrive in this profession, refer them to AAMI. In celebration of our centennial year, if they apply by December 5 and enroll for a January 2026 start, we will put $250–$500 in your name toward their tuition or books.

This opportunity is available for new and returning students to AAMI.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Have them apply: HERE

2. Tell them to enter your name as a “Reference” in the References section

3. In the Memo field at the bottom of that section, they type in: PASS IT FORWARD referral

This is the only time in our 100-year history that we have created a direct, financial incentive tied our legacy – your legacy.

Thank you for being a proud alumnus of AAMI, and for helping us prepare this profession for the next century.

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• 🎟️KB Event: “Advances in Funeral Innovations Fort Worth” - Attend Dec 5

• 🎤NFDMA Event: 2026 Leadership Summit, Feb 2026 - Register Now

⏰Reminder: AAMI students, pick up your 2026 Monthly Monitor on campus to add appointments/assignments, etc.!

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Welcome to the first issue of the AAMI Newsletter. We promise not to clutter your inbox — only updates once or twice a month on all things AAMI. In this edition:

• New Website (AAMI gets a fresh look)

• AAMI Merch (Wear the pride)

• The Big Story (AAMI Achieves Nearly 90% Post-Grad Employment Rate)

• Hot Topics (Quick headlines)

We’re thrilled to introduce the new AAMI website — launched in October 2025 to better welcome future students and support the amazing people already part of our community. It’s faster, clearer, and designed to make every visitor feel right at home.

What’s New:

• Sleek, mobile-friendly browsing

• Easier to explore programs and apply

• A modern look that reflects who we are

• Quick access to student support and success resources

• More ways to discover careers in funeral service

Visit AAMI.edu and take a look around — we hope you love it as much as we do!

We now have a brand-new line of AAMI merchandise for students, graduates, and supporters to show off their school pride. Whether you’re on campus, at work, or out in the world, now you can rep AAMI swag with style.

What’s Available:

• Hoodies, tees, hats, drinkware & more

• Modern designs that celebrate who we are

• Zero hassle — everything ships directly to you

• Perfect for students, alumni, and future professionals

Check out the full collection and gear up today: AAMI Merch

The Big Story

American Academy McAllister Institute Achieves Nearly 90% Post-Graduate Employment Rate Despite Challenging Job Market

Leading Career Education Institute Excepts Above Average Graduate Employment Rate in 2025, While Unveiling Enhanced Digital Presence and New Campus Facilities

American Academy McAllister Institute (AAMI), can proudly announce that 89% of its 2024 graduates have secured employment in their fields of study, maintaining the institute’s exceptional near-90% post-graduation employment rate despite ongoing challenges in the national job market.

The announcement comes as employers nationwide report hiring freezes and reduced workforce expansion, making AAMI’s consistent track record particularly noteworthy. The institute achieved an 88% employment rate in 2023 and has sustained this momentum, expecting similar employment rates in 2025, demonstrating the continued demand for AAMI’s career-ready graduates.

“In an employment landscape where recent graduates are facing unprecedented obstacles – including disruptions caused by artificial intelligence – our students continue to thrive,” said Don Cymbor, President of American Academy McAllister Institute. “This success reflects our unwavering commitment to providing industry-relevant training, hands-on experience, and the practical skills that employers actively seek. Our graduates are entering an AI-proof career that will always require compassion and the human touch.”

The employment milestone coincides with two significant developments at AAMI. The institute has launched a comprehensively redesigned website, offering prospective students and employers enhanced access to program information, student resources, and career outcomes data. The new digital platform reflects AAMI’s commitment to transparency and accessibility in education.

Additionally, AAMI has relocated to facilities within its current building, providing students with modernized learning environments designed to support the institute’s career-focused curriculum. The enhanced campus footprint enables AAMI to accommodate growing enrollment while maintaining the personalized attention that has become a hallmark of the student experience.

“Our new website and facilities represent more than physical and digital upgrades – they represent our investment in student success,” Cymbor added. “Every enhancement we make is designed with one goal in mind, and that is to prepare our graduates to enter, excel and sustain themselves in the workforce.”

AAMI’s sustained employment success is attributed to its industry partnerships, practical curriculum design, and career services focus. Team members work closely with students from enrollment through job placement and beyond.

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• 🎖️ Veterans Update: The Secretary of the Army has directed that Tuition Assistance (TA) be restarted during the shutdown for all service branches. Active-duty Soldiers can apply here – ArmyIgnitED

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