Alexandra Kathryn Mosca is a writer, funeral director, and funeral service activist. In 2018, along with a respected colleague, Alexandra co-created The Morte Girls as a platform for keeping dignity in funeral service. Dismayed at what they were seeing in the media, the two women made it their mission to highlight the positive aspects of traditional funerals.
That’s only the latest focus in a life that has been filled with adventure and accomplishment. Alexandra has worked as a model and actress, been the subject of a Jeopardy question, stumped the panel on To Tell The Truth, and sat for interviews with some of television’s most iconic talk show hosts. All the while, she has continued to serve the public in her capacity as a funeral director, arranging and directing funerals, as well as preparing the deceased for visitation. She wrote about these experiences, and more, in her memoir Grave Undertakings (New Horizon Press, 2003). The book tells of Alexandra’s unique career as a female funeral director, beginning at a time when a female presence was uncommon. Grave Undertakings has inspired young women from around the country to forge their own careers in funeral service.
In the intervening years, Alexandra has become well-known and respected in her industry through her writing. She authored two more books, both about New York’s most notable cemeteries, becoming known as a cemetery historian in the process. She continues to be a regular contributor to funeral industry publications. Among her writing specialties are Funerals of the Famous for which she has covered the funerals of Mayor Ed Koch, Gov. Mario Cuomo, comedienne Joan Rivers, and Justice Antonin Scalia—just to name a few. She is also sought after to profile her noteworthy industry colleagues.
With her special blend of wit, sensitivity, and a seasoned perspective, Alexandra continues to make her mark by writing about funeral industry concerns, debunking myths about funeral service, and funeral fads.
Fashion to Die For: How to Choose Your Last Outfit
My latest post about burial clothing contains thoughts and ideas from two of New York’s most knowledgeable funeral directors.
An Old-School Funeral Director with a Young Face
American Funeral Director magazine went digital for September, just in time for my profile of one of America’s most promising young funeral directors.
Five Things I’ve learned in my long career as a funeral director Life. Death. Whatever., May 6, 2019
I was pleased to share my view of funeral service, gleaned from the work I’ve done, the experiences of my colleagues, and the perspective of the thousands of families I’ve served over the years. Despite what you may read in slanted press articles (with the fringe and/or inexperienced being used as sources to further a false narrative), funerals are as important as they ever were.
