Being accepted into mortuary school and gaining employment within the death care industry are two very important and meaningful career milestones.  Sadly, these milestones are often overshadowed by messaging of rejection and discrimination for many perspective BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) students and professionals because of the way that we wear our hair. 

Hairstyles which hold practical, religious, spiritual and cultural sacredness and significance are banned by some (not all) institutional handbooks. Asking students and professionals to show up as a fraction or altered version of ourselves to be deemed professional by European standards is racist and discriminatory. It is a total disregard for the religious, spiritual and cultural nuances that contribute to our core identities. This messaging also clearly communicates to communities of color that representation of and care for BIPOC decedents is not valued.

While having a professional appearance is vitally important when attending mortuary school, funeral service and embalming apprenticeships, on the job training and while serving communities; our professionalism can not and should not be measured by the style of our hair. Ponytails, cornrows, dreadlocks, braids and other natural and other protective styles are listed as "not permitted", frowned upon and unprofessional. This MUST change, allowing safety for BIPOC students and professionals to show up authentically.

We are asking the the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and American Board of Funeral Service Education to use their influence to encourage this change. We also need your help and support and ask that you sign this petition. By signing this petition, you are showing your support of efforts being made for embracing the diversity of all who attend and work at mortuary science and funeral service education institutions in the United States.  We are asking that the ban of "cornrows, ponytails, dreadlocks, braids"  and reference to the all other natural and protective hairstyles adorned by BIPOC students and professionals as being unprofessional be removed from the handbooks and dress codes of all funeral service educational institutions nationwide effective immediately. 

Thank you for your support! All signatures along with this note will be mailed directly to The Council for Higher Education Accreditation and American Board of Funeral Service Education on September 1st, 2022.