Welcome
Dear Future
Funeral Service Professionals
The staff and faculty welcome you to the Funeral Service Program at FINE Mortuary College. We have been educating future funeral professionals since 1996, providing exceptional education and incredible opportunities in funeral service throughout the United States.
We are pleased you have made the decision to continue your studies at our college. It is our goal that your education with us is thought-provoking, challenging, and enjoyable. You will enjoy many opportunities to learn and gain experience by being a part of the FINE community. Preparing students for a future in funeral service is the focus of the faculty and staff. We are committed to providing you with a quality education and learning environment that is diverse, innovative, and adaptive to the many challenges of an ever-changing funeral service profession.
Your experiences from your first class to the day that you receive your diploma will be exciting, inspiring, and rewarding. As part of our commitment to your success, we provide additional resources such as a free tutoring program, additional learning modules outside of the classroom and a three-year tuition guarantee.
We are here to assist you through graduation from FINE Mortuary College and beyond as a member of our community.
Sincerely,
Kevin Koch
President
Information

ABFSE Accreditation & Authorization
One of the first steps all prospective students should take before enrolling in a college or any higher education institute is to verify whether the school is accredited by a verified accrediting agency. The American Board of Funeral Service Education is a national accrediting agency recognized for college and university programs in Funeral Service and Mortuary Science Education.
FINE Mortuary College and the Funeral Service associate degree program offered by FINE are accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), 992 Mantua Pike, Suite 108, Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097 (816) 233-3747. Web: www.abfse.org.
Accreditation is a voluntary act of the institution that requires a thorough self-evaluation and an independent, objective assessment of the overall quality of education by peers. Accreditation emphasizes both a quality guarantee and a commitment to continuous enhancement. To achieve accreditation by the ABFSE, an institution must:
- Fulfil rigorous standards
- Create and apply a Campus Effectiveness Plan
- Undergo a yearly review of its financial stability, retention and placement rates; and undergo both announced and unannounced site visits.
Accreditation is important because it:
- Aids in determining if an institution meets or surpasses minimum standards of quality.
- Assists students in choosing acceptable institutions to enroll in.
- Helps institutions in determining the acceptability of credits and transfer credits.
- Allows employers to determine the validity of programs of study and in turn whether a graduate is qualified for the prospective job.
- Employers often require evidence that applicants have earned a degree from an accredited school or program.
- Determines eligibility for employee tuition reimbursement programs.
- Enables graduates to sit for certification examinations.
- Involves staff, faculty, students, graduates, and advisory boards in institutional evaluation and planning.
- Creates goals for the institution to improve upon.
- Provides a baseline for determining eligibility for federal student assistance. Students are required to attend an accredited institution to apply for federal grants or loans.
American Board of Funeral Service Education Contact
992 Mantua Pike
Suite 108
Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097
Phone: (816) 233-3747
Website: www.abfse.org
FINE Mortuary College is committed to resolving any potential complaints with remote learning students via the outlined process, as per SARA requirements. Please see the FMC SARA Complaint Process for more information.
The primary objective of the Student Complaint/Grievance Procedure is to ensure that students have the opportunity to present grievances to the College regarding a certain action or inaction by a member of the institution. The College seeks to resolve grievances fairly and with justice for all parties. This Student Complaint/Grievance Procedure applies to all formal grievances.
The definition of a grievance is a violation of written campus policies, procedures, or arbitrary, capricious, or unequal application of written campus policies or procedures.
Informal Resolution
Prior to invoking the procedures described here, students are encouraged but not required to address the grievance in person or in writing with the person alleged to have caused the grievance.
The discussion should be held as soon as the student first becomes aware of the act or condition that is the basis of the grievance. The person alleged to have caused the grievance must respond to the student promptly, either orally or in writing.
Formal Resolution
A student may initiate a formal grievance in writing to the Program Director, or designee, who will act as administrator for the grievance procedure. The grievance must be received within 15 calendar days after the student first becomes aware of the facts which gave rise to the grievance.
The Program Director, or designee, will conduct an informal investigation as warranted to resolve any factual disputes. Upon the student’s request, the Program Director, or designee, shall appoint an impartial fact-finding panel of no more than three persons to conduct an investigation.
The Program Director, or designee, must state the terms and conditions of the investigation in a memorandum appointing the fact-finding panel. The panel shall have no authority to make recommendations or impose final action. The panel’s conclusions shall be limited to determining and presenting facts to the Program Director, or designee, in a written report.
Based upon the report of the fact-finding panel, the Program Director, or designee, shall make a determination and submit a decision in writing to the student and to the person alleged to have caused the grievance within ten calendar days of receipt of the panel’s report.
The written determination shall include the reasons for the decision, shall indicate the remedial action to be taken, if any, and shall inform the student of the right to seek review by President or designee.
Appeal Procedures
Within ten calendar days of receipt of the Program Director or designee’s decision, a student who is not satisfied with the response of the administrator after the initial review may seek further review by submitting the written grievance, together with the administrator’s written decision, to the Campus President or designee.
Within 15 calendar days of receipt of the request for review, the Campus President or designee shall submit his or her decision in writing to the student and to the person alleged to have caused the grievance. The written disposition shall include the reasons for the decision, and it shall direct a remedy for the aggrieved student, if any.
If the student complaint cannot be resolved after exhausting the Institution’s Student Complaint/Grievance Procedure, the student may file a complaint with the Governing Board. Failure to file any grievance according to the procedures and within the specified time shall be deemed a waiver of the right to file a grievance. Students who continue to believe the issue is unresolved after submission to the Governing Board may contact the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE).
The American Board of Funeral Service Education
992 Mantua Pike
Suite 108
Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097
Phone: (816) 233-3747
Website: www.abfse.org
A copy of the accrediting commission’s complaint form and procedure is available and may be obtained by contacting the Office of the Registrar. In addition to the College’s grievance policy and procedure, students may also contact the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Consumer Advocacy & Response Division. This contact may be regardless of whether students have availed themselves of the College’s grievance policy.
Massachusetts Attorney General’s Consumer Advocacy & Response Division
Consumer Hotline: (617) 727–8400 (Monday–Friday, 8 am–6 pm)
To file a consumer complaint online go here.
FMC SARA Complaint Process
Students must first attempt to resolve their complaint by working with the party or parties involved. If the situation remains unresolved, students are encouraged to follow the FMC appeals policy outlined in the FINE Mortuary College Catalog. If the complaint is still not resolved, students complete the online complaint form. If an issue cannot be resolved internally, you may file a complaint with the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE). Depending on where you are located, the DHE provides two different complaint forms for students based on their location.
For Massachusetts residents and online students in non-SARA member states and territories
After following the outlined grievance and complaint procedures, if the issue is not resolved, a student may contact the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE) by using the general complaint form. The DHE general complaint form should be used by students who are located in:
- Massachusetts
- Non-SARA Member States or Territories (e.g., California, Guam, etc.)
In addition, students located in California and Guam may wish to contact their home agencies directly to file a complaint as well:
For online students located in SARA member states and territories
Information from the DHE’s SARA complaint website is below:
The SARA complaint process is as follows:
- Students must first attempt to resolve their complaint using internal administrative procedures offered by FINE Mortuary College.
- After all administrative remedies have been exhausted with the institution, the student may submit a SARA Complaint via the URL below.
- The Department shall send a copy of the complaint to the institution that is the subject of the complaint.
- Within 30 days of the date that the Department sends a copy of the complaint to the institution, the institution must provide a written response to the student and the Department.
More information about DHE’s complaint process can be found here.
We welcome the opportunity to support all of our veterans and military connected students in achieving their educational and career goals. Apply here for benefits using VA.gov. The Enrollment Services Office certifies students for Veteran’s educational benefits at FINE Mortuary College as follows:
Certifying Enrollment Information (Chapter 30, 31, 35, 1606, 1607)
Enrollment information will begin being sent to the VA once billing for the semester is complete (usually within 45 days of the start of the semester)
Certifying Enrollment CH 33 (Post 9/11)
Enrollment information will be sent to the VA within 30 days of the start of the semester. Tuition and Fees will be reported after the drop/add period for each semester.
Military Experience
As a veteran, please submit your AARTS, SMARTS or USCGI transcripts (as applicable), and DD214 to the Admissions Office. You can order your military transcripts here.
Transfer Students
If you have recently transferred from another Institution, or have completed your undergraduate degree and wish to pursue a graduate degree: complete the VA Form 22- 1995. For additional questions regarding your VA Education Benefits, contact Enrollment Services at 781.762.1211 or email lhewey@fmc.edu
Helpful Numbers & Resources
VA GI Bill® Hotline (888) 442–4551
National Board Examination pass rates, graduation rates and employment rates for this and other ABFSE-accredited programs are available at abfse.org in the Directory of Accredited Programs. To request a printed copy of FINE Mortuary College’s pass rates, please visit FINE Mortuary College, 150 Kerry Place, Norwood, MA 02062, request by email MCyfers@fmc.edu or by telephone (781) 762-1211.
Administration

President and Chief Executive Officer
Kevin has over 30 years’ experience managing and consulting with companies in various industries...

Program Director & Chief Academic Officer
Melissa A. Cyfers is a lifelong practitioner of funeral service with over 20 years experience...

Dean of Administration/Chief Operating Officer/Title IX Coordinator
Laura E. Hewey is a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in Massachusetts with...

Greg Gallagher, is a Massachusetts licensed funeral director and embalmer in Massachusetts...

Financial Aid Director
Kimberly Duran has over 7 years of experience in assisting students with filing, receiving...

Executive Administrator
Amanda Bazinet comes to FINE Mortuary College with over ten years of experience in the Healthcare Industry...

Marketing Director
Julie Drummey has over two decades of experience in marketing and advertising, including 10 years...

Educational Projects Coordinator
Cindy has lived in the Memphis, Tennessee area most of her life, the only exception being four years of trying out...

Accounting Manager
Emily Sarikey has over ten years of experience in accounting and bookkeeping. Prior to coming to FINE Mortuary College...

Admissions and Career Coordinator
Cari Caudill has over 5 years of admissions and clerical experience. Prior to joining FINE Mortuary College...
Faculty

Glenn D. Burlamachi, CFSP, is a Massachusetts licensed funeral director who also owns and operates the Concord Funeral Home...

Melissa A. Cyfers is a lifelong practitioner of funeral service with over 20 years experience. Before coming to...

Terry Cyfers has over 30 years of experience as both a scholar and practitioner in Leadership, Organizational Development...

Nicole is a licensed funeral director/embalmer at Jellison Funeral Home and Cremation Service, located in Peterborough, NH...

Funeral service is a second career for Peter, who has always had an innate feeling for the profession...

Grainne McManus is a graduate of FINE Mortuary College. She is currently a full time Funeral Director...

Dr. Marc A. Nascarella is the Chief Toxicologist and Director of a Toxicology Program in a state government health department...

Melissa has a Doctorate Degree in Healthcare Genetics from Clemson University with an emphasis on cancer genetics...

Cary Sommers has a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. She works full time as a school psychologist...

Tabitha has taught high school and college Science for the past 13 years. She truly enjoys teaching...

Julie is a licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer in NH. She has worked at Jellison Funeral Home in Peterborough for over 20 years...

Lisa lives in Colchester, CT with her husband of 30+ years. They have two grown daughters and two young grandchildren...

Kari Northey is a 20-year licensed funeral director and embalmer in Michigan, with bachelor's degrees...

Whitney Piscopo has a Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from Appalachian State University...

Amanda Collins, MPH is an Assistant Professor for the Division of Translational Anatomy at the University...

Erica DeRemer began her professional career in her home state of Ohio as a Funeral Director...

Michele Reed is a nurse attorney with extensive experience in medical malpractice and class action litigation...
Clinical Faculty & Certified Clinical Funeral Homes
Board of Directors

John brings a wealth of experience in the funeral sector globally to his role as Chairman of the Board of FINE Mortuary College...

Kevin has over 30 years’ experience managing and consulting with companies in various industries...

Grainne McManus is a graduate of FINE Mortuary College. She is currently a full time Funeral Director...

David Robbins, MBA joined the FMC Board in 2014. He is the Global Director of Sales and Business Development...

Alex Acher has his roots in Central Massachusetts, where he was raised and has resided for most of his life...

Catherine “Kat” Boyd is a 2016 graduate of FINE Mortuary College and has been a licensed Funeral Director...

Carrie has been a corporate health care attorney for 21 years and is currently serving as Associate General Counsel...
Advisory Board

Felicia started her working career as a Barber 33 years ago and eventually owned her own shop for over 20 years...

Charlie is working as an apprentice at the J.S Waterman Langone Funeral Home in Boston, but on the side, works...

Glenn D. Burlamachi, CFSP, is a Massachusetts licensed funeral director who also owns and operates the Concord Funeral Home...

Alyssa A. Croteau, born and raised in Fall River, MA, graduated FMC in 2016, Magna Cum Laude. She interned and apprenticed...

Jaeleen works as an apprentice funeral director, as well as an attendant for the Brigham & Women’s Hospital...

Chandler earned her bachelor’s degree from Bridgewater State University in 2016...

A Massachusetts native, Jerelyn Serra graduated from Chelmsford High School in 1998 and received...

A Methuen High School graduate, with family still in town, Yesenia brings with her years...

Kari Northey is a 20-year licensed funeral director and embalmer in Michigan, with bachelor's degrees...