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Funeral Service Program Opens Updated Facility
GREENWOOD, S.C. – The Funeral Service Education department at Piedmont Technical College is on its way to becoming the premier training facility for current and future funeral directors in the southeast with the recent renovations to the embalming lab and the addition of a pet crematory, according to a news release.
“This has been a long journey for us, but is has been well worth it,” said David Martin, funeral service program director at PTC.
The new, state-of-the-art facility was opened and dedicated Thursday evening. Representatives from area funeral homes and local, state and national officials toured the more than 3,700 sq. ft. facility that includes an expanded lab area, the addition of a body cooler, prep tables and other equipment and the installation of high-tech broadcasting equipment. Also included is the new pet crematory, the first at any of the 56 accredited funeral service programs in the country.
“We want to be a resource center to funeral service professionals throughout the state of South Carolina by offering continuing education and seminars,” said Dedrick Gantt, funeral service instructor.
“This is a unique opportunity we have here at this facility,” said L. Ruple Harley, owner of Harley Funeral Home and Crematory in Greenwood and president of the funeral service advisory board. “Embalming training is so important to the families we as funeral directors serve. We are proud of the facility we have here at Piedmont Tech and the quality of students coming out of the program.”
Piedmont Tech is home of the South Carolina Center for Funeral Service Education, the only accredited funeral service program in the state. Students enrolled are from all over the state as well as western North Carolina and parts of Georgia.
“I have to give David and Dedrick a hand for their efforts,” said Ernest Adams, president of the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association. Adams also serves as the state inspector with the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation for all funeral homes and crematories in South Carolina. “I also want to commend Dr. (Ray) Brooks and the entire college for their continued support of this program.”
“We are looking forward to what we can offer students with the improved facility,” Martin said. “That is what it is all about.”
Posted Feb. 4
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