At age 16, Helen Loring Dear was already preparing for a careerin her family’s funeral home business by performinghousekeeping duties at the downtown Porter Loring Mortuary.
Throughout her teenage years, Loring Dear saw the compassionateinteraction that her father, Porter Loring III, and grandfather,Porter Loring Jr., had with bereaved families.
“Even though I have a degree in psychology, I’ve alwaysknown in the back of my mind that I wanted to go into the business,”she said. “And then about five years ago, I started going onservices and would observe the arrangement process. I saw howmuch help the funeral directors provide families during a difficulttime in their lives. That’s what inspired me to follow thefootsteps of my father, grandfather and great–grandfather.”
Loring Dear, 24, recentlypassed her FuneralDirector State BoardExam, which allowedher to receive her funeraldirector’s license. By doingso, she became thefourth–generation memberof the Porter Loringfamily to carry on thetradition started by hergreat–grandfather, PorterLoring Sr., in 1918.
“We’re excited aboutHelen coming to workwith her grandfather andI,” said her father. “It’s agreat opportunity to haveher here because she willbring a fresh perspective and new knowledge about the funeralindustry, which will help us better serve our families.”
Today, Loring Dear is one of a growing number of womenwho are becoming funeral directors. About one–third of all mortuaryscience students in the country are female, according tothe National Funeral Director Association (NFDA).
“The mortuary business once was a male–dominated field,but that is no longer the case,” said Mary Mena, chairpersonof the mortuary science department at San Antonio College,where Loring Dear takes classes.
“Traditionally, women have always been caregivers and takencare of the person who was dying, so it comes more naturallyfor them,” Mena said, adding that mortuary science classes atSAC consist of about 60 percent female and 40 percent male. “Ithink women tend to be more compassionate, and families cansense that.”
Providing “our families” the best possible service is LoringDear’s goal. “Professionalism, sincerity and being knowledgeableis what I strive for in myself so that I can help our familieswith any questions or concerns they might have, so that we canprovide a perfect tribute for their loved one,” she said.
The 2002 Alamo Heights graduate currently is enrolled inembalming classes at San Antonio College. This spring, she willtake her National Board Exams to obtain a dual license as a funeraldirector and embalmer.
In addition to taking embalming classes, Loring Dear hasbeen busy studying computer and accounting skills, as well aslearning about different religions.
“We provide services for all faiths, so it is important to befamiliar with their customs,” she said.
“Although funerals are a celebration of the life of the deceased,they also are important to surviving family members,”she said.
“Funerals arethe beginning of themourning process,which, of course, can bea very difficult time formany,” she explained.“My aunt, Paula Loring,has formed many bereavementgroups overthe years for all familiesin the San Antoniocommunity to supportthem during the difficulttime.”
If she didn’twork in her family’s funeralhome business,Loring Dear wouldprobably be a socialworker or get involved incounseling children.
“My parents never pressured me to go into the business,” shesaid, “and I would do the same for my children. I would encouragethem to work here during the summers like I did. If theydecide this is what they want to do, I would support them. Ifthey decide otherwise, I would also support them 100 percent.”
Porter Loring Mortuaries is truly a family affair for the youngfuneral director. Her husband, Jonathan Dear, whom she metwhile earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology from MillsapsCollege in Jackson, Miss., works in monument sales for PorterLoring Monuments.
Mena predicts Loring Dear has a promising future at PorterLoring Mortuaries.
“She’s really dedicated to funeral service and wants to dogood,” Mena said. “And with her family background, she has awonderful example to follow.”
