Madison Biancari chose to pursue an internship at Bartholomew Funeral Home in Valparaiso. Putting her education into practice, Biancardi takes pride in serving the community with her unique perspective and skill set.
“I think that empathy is the most important thing in this field,” Biancardi said. “It is important to stress that everybody is going through something different, and you may not understand the exact circumstances others are going through. However, if you can empathize on a base level, they will know that you are there to help.”
Growing up in Northwest Indiana, Biancardi felt drawn to the funeral service industry after a comforting childhood experience at her grandfather’s funeral. Embracing the call, Biancardi pursued her mortuary science degree from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, Illinois. Her collegiate experience included a week-long residency for hands-on experience. She also gained valuable embalming experience at the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office and passed her national board exam.
“I think I have this natural inclination to work in funeral services,” said Biancardi. “I always thought, ‘Why wouldn’t I pursue the thing that I am inherently good at?’ So I did, and now I am about done with my second quarter. I will have to do about 12 more embalmings before taking my state exam.”
Her next steps led to her current four-quarter internship at Bartholomew Funeral Home, which continues to broaden her horizons within the field. With a goal of six embalmings per quarter, she is actively working to pursue her next step of fulfilling the requirements for her funeral records license and passing her state exam.
“I knew I wanted to work somewhere that felt genuine,” said Biancardi. “There are funeral homes that are corporate-owned, but I wanted to work where people could feel like they are being folded into our family and taken care of by people who care about the outcome and how they feel, rather than putting on some kind of extravagant, performative funeral. I wanted to work somewhere traditional that felt like home.”
At Bartholomew, she is gaining experience in the administrative aspects of funeral arrangements, including meeting with families for both at-need and pre-need services. She also helps with meaningful memorial services by organizing flowers, staging the chapel, and producing personalized slideshows with music. As she builds toward a future career, Biancardi plans to unite her passions by specializing in embalming, cosmetics, and restorative art.
“I see myself doing more embalming and cosmetics than actual funeral directing,” said Biancardi. “It is where I feel at home. It is where my primary talents lie. I also think I would put a decent focus on restorative art, just because it is becoming kind of a lost art form.”
A core aspect of her internship is interacting with grieving families. With a shared mission of empathy and compassion, Biancari and her colleagues work to provide a supportive, non-judgmental environment for grieving families. The funeral home’s commitment to the community continues to be evident in its charitable donations and dedication to serving families with genuine care.
“It is a wonderful environment,” said Biancardi. “I feel we are all on the same page with each other. We understand the toll that being in this industry takes, both emotionally and physically. There is a lot of understanding between each other and within the community. It is like we are never bothered or we never have an issue catering to somebody when they need a particular type of support.”
For those considering a career in funeral services, Biancari recommends starting with entry-level positions. She hopes that aspiring professionals explore various roles within the industry to gain a comprehensive understanding of funeral services and determine which role aligns with a career aspiration.
“I think if you have a passion for it, you should pursue it, even if you want to start small,” said Biancardi. “You can start as a wake attendant, sitting in on funerals or doing the customer service aspect. You can see the general vibe and see how you feel being in that setting.”
Biancardi credits a strong support system for her pursuit of funeral services. She cites her mother’s steadfast support and the comfort provided by her cat as sources of significant personal gratitude.
“My mom is my number one fan,” said Biancardi. “She thinks I am so cool and always asks me about my work. Anytime she sees a female mortician in the media, she is immediately reminded of me. I also am grateful for my kitty, Mousse, because she is one of my biggest support systems and is my oldest friend. I raised her from a baby, and she has been with me through every test, practicum, and exam.”
For more information about the mission of Bartholomew Funeral Home, visit bartholomewnewhard.com.
