SIU Carbondale mortuary science students beautify Galatia cemetery

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS - Students in the Mortuary Science and Funeral Service program at SIU recently participated in a cemetery cleanup at Durham Cemetery in Galatia.

The members of the program's service fraternity Sigma Phi Sigma washed and scrubbed headstones and swept them off. The work benefitted the cemetery and the students had a good time. Sloan Funeral Home in Galatia sponsored the event and is donating to the fraternity.

Participating students, by their hometowns and year in the MSFS program were:

Aurora: Salena Pierre, senior with degree.

Carterville: Rachel Smoot, senior.

Macomb: Erica Lenardt, senior.

Markham: Sydney Baumeister, senior.

Mascoutah: Sierra Logue, senior.

Rockford: Haley Eppes, senior.

Sesser: Cayce Halbin, senior.

Waukegan: Biana Navarrete, sophomore.

Rhinelander, Wisconsin: McKenna George, junior.

<h3 class="leadin">Not the only service project</h3>

The service fraternity has participated in a bake sale for Tender Mercies, a program that helps who have been through the loss of an infant or child.

Next month, the fraternity will hold a food drive benefiting Herrin House of Hope. The food drive is 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 11-15. Items may be dropped off in Room 70 of the College and Applied Sciences' building, located on the mail floor.

The bachelor's degree program is the only mortuary science and funeral service program of its kind offered at a public university in Illinois. The program is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education and students who graduate meet the state's Department of Professional Regulation licensing requirements.

There are 75 students in the program, with 87% of the students female.