Woman fulfils childhood dream to own funeral home

Working among the dead may sound daunting and frightening, but for Tavia McKenzie, it is a job she finds comforting and tranquil.

As a toddler, McKenzie was intrigued by death and found herself researching pictures of cadavers, and watching forensic films. From then, she knew she would find herself engrossed in a career that was based in mortuary science, and made the obvious decision to pursue a degree in basic medical sciences as an anatomy major at The University of the West Indies, Mona, in 2017.

"As an anatomy major, it's fascinating. The things you see on a daily basis; [for example] no two bodies are ever the same, and how the body operates even in death," McKenzie explained.

But her love for the dead continued to grow as she secured employment at the Institute of Forensic Science and Legal Medicine shortly after completing tertiary studies in 2020. For two years, McKenzie worked as a pathologist assistant/ supervisor, overseeing a group of morgue technicians who carried out post-mortems daily across the island. The experience she garnered at the government agency catapulted her to achieve her childhood dream of owning and operating her own funeral home, a business venture she successfully launched at the beginning of this year.

"Growing up, I always knew that I wanted to be in that field of choice, and I've always had a great passion for working with the dead from ever since I was young. Getting my degree was just the first step," the Port Antonio, Portland native said.

McKenzie, 27, grew up in the eastern parish with her parents and elder sister. She said that her parents are her greatest support system, with her father being immersed in playing a key role in the smooth operation of the business. Her mother, however, though supportive, "does not want to play a hands-on role in working with the deceased".

"The hardest part about it was actually taking the first step to start. But I was determined and dedicated in taking that step because I knew it was something that I wanted," she said, adding that she spent most of 2023 researching, brainstorming and planning for the launch of her business venture, Mck's Funeral Arrangements and Services.

A certified embalmer and restorative art specialist, McKenzie asserted that she has found passion and satisfaction with working with the dead.

"The only thing that can make mortuary science fun for anyone is their love and passion for working with the dead. No amount of of money will ever make it fun for you; it is a peaceful field to be in. It's a completely different feeling, because nobody tells you how to do your job. You're trained to respect the dead, and so we still treat them with respect and compassion," she told THE STAR.