01/12/2026
Local Funeral Directors Attend Graduation Ceremony in Pittsburgh.
Three area funeral directors attended the 172nd commencement exercises of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science (PIMS) on Friday, January 9. In keeping with tradition, the ceremony was held at the historic Calvary Episcopal Church in the Shadyside neighborhood of Pittsburgh.
Dennis Daugherty of Freeport, PA, Korynne Young of West Sunbury, PA, and Joshua Starr of Kittanning, PA are all alumni of PIMS and serve as officers of the Western Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association. Daugherty is the immediate past president, Young currently serves as president, and Starr is the second vice president. In addition, Young was recently elected Butler County Coroner.
Beyond their shared alumni status and association leadership, each attended the ceremony in a distinct professional role. Young delivered the keynote address to graduates and guests. Daugherty represented the Embalmers Supply Company, where he works part-time as a sales representative. Starr has been employed part-time by PIMS for nearly three years as a clinical embalming instructor, working directly with students in their professional training.
The ceremony drew nearly 400 attendees as 39 certificates and diplomas were conferred upon graduates entering the funeral service profession.
Founded in 1939, PIMS was originally known as the Pittsburgh School of Embalming. Among nearly 60 mortuary science education programs in the United States, PIMS has long been regarded as a flagship institution for funeral service education. Its use of advanced technology, patented teaching aids, and a robust clinical program that includes embalming nearly 800 cases annually continues to distinguish PIMS and uphold its reputation at the pinnacle of mortuary science education.
