Today we’d like to introduce you to Madeline Lyles.
Hi Madeline, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
It’s been my passion to be a Mortician since I was 13. I believe God called me to this profession for many reasons; and I couldn’t be more grateful! Throughout the years after College I’ve always worked in Death Care. I obtained my licenses in 2007 to be a Licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director for TN. I branched out and became a Forensic Technician for five and a half years. Once I resigned from Forensics I worked as a trade Embalmer for a few years, obtained my dual AR licenses, and shortly after decided to start my own business-which was going to be an Embalming Service. This was basically me housing the workload I had as a trade Embalmer within my own facility. Those plans fell through; and at the end of 2016 God told me to, “Go get Dana”. It was truly ordained by God that Dana and I would come together to start our own Funeral Home. She and I met in 2009, at the City Morgue. We continued to cross paths within Funeral Services; and now we will be celebrating 7 years of service and business as After Life Mortuary Services on October 8th. Through every up and down, I can truly say that we’ve been abundantly successful! We’re the first African-American women to establish, own and operate a funeral home in the state of TN. We’re a first generation business; and we have been continuously blessed to serve bereaved families and provide multiple community services to the public.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We encountered struggles of doubt from some people, due to us being young women in this male dominant profession. Others, like our colleagues, provided gossip/ rumors about us not working well together, and expected us to fall out and end the business. Those are the minute challenges in my opinion though. When you’re makings great change and doing great things, haters will play their part in the story as well. Lol. Now, we’ve encountered what I consider the greatest challenge for the last five years, obtaining larger space for our Funeral Home. We’ve gone through so much with the process: rejection, disappointment, lack of zeal from professionals that could help us, and even the purchasing of a large enough property, and then being told we couldn’t operate a Funeral Home at that location. We definitely have a testimony and story to tell; but through it all we’ve overcome, haven’t ceased serving, and I’m looking forward to the overwhelming success that is awaiting us in the days and years to come.
As you know, we’re big fans of After Life Mortuary Services, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We’re a full service funeral home. We provide complete funeral, cremation and last rites services to the community. We also provide international embalming and shipping services to our colleagues and families all over/ throughout the Nation. What sets us apart is that Dana and I perform all of the duties within the Funeral Home ourselves. We both embalm the decedents, dress and casket them, direct funerals, and undertake all other tasks necessary for the operation of our business. We’re nationally recognized and set apart also for the creation of our Funeral Services Education Camp. We started it back in 2019. It’s the only Summer Camp of its kind, ever! We provide hands on training and education to individuals aged 13-19 who are interested in a career in Death Care: Funeral Services, Homicide Detectives, Cremation, Cemetery ownership, and do much more! These individuals are meeting professionals in their desired careers, and spending time learning more about it all over a one to two week timespan. We have Campers to join the camp from as far as the Caribbean! We’re seeing success stories develop right before our eyes with these young adults; because of the exposure we grant them. It’s truly a blessing and a privilege to be apart of their growth and success!
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What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I’d say the most important lesson I’ve learned is to trust God, and do what I know I’ve been called to do- and that includes a lot more than what meets the eye. However, it’ all derives from the call to serve others. I’ve learned that your gifts really do make room for you; and God will plant you, and place you in places you never dreamed of, if you’ll just trust Him! I’ve learned to never give up, and to always step up without letting fear or your own thoughts hinder you. You can do whatever you apply yourself to.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://almsofmemphis.com
- Instagram: Afterlifemortuary
- Facebook: After Life Mortuary Services
- Other: TikTok: ladiesofalms
