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About Alexandra

Alexandra grew up in the in the Beechhurst, Queens section of New York, where she attended St. Andrew’s Academy. It was there, as a child, that her love of –and talent for –writing was recognized. 

From an early age, Alexandra loved to read and write and by the time she was in the first grade, she had already decided that she would someday make writing a career. Today, Alexandra is a writer in New York, as well as one of the most recognized names in funeral service. She has been able to meld her career as a funeral director with her passion for writing. The result: Three books, countless articles featuring the funeral industry, historic cemeteries, and famous funerals.

The New Yorker found her calling in funeral service when, while attending college, she worked part-time in a funeral home. Licensed for more than 35 years, Mosca is the author of three books: Grave Undertakings (2003), Green-Wood Cemetery (2008), and Gardens of Stone (2016). 

In addition to her books, she is a regular contributor to funeral industry magazines: American Funeral Director, American Cemetery & Cremation, and the Director.  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.

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. Her two subsequent books, both about New York’s most notable cemeteries, helped her to become recognized as a cemetery historian. A topic near and dear to her heart, she is a leader in the effort to bring awareness to the importance of cemeteries. Passionate about cemetery preservation, she has not only written extensively on the subject, but has served as a cemetery tour guide. She is firmly convinced that: People need a place to memorialize their loved ones and cemeteries provide that.

Despite news items to the contrary, Mosca believes that the traditional funeral isn’t (and shouldn’t be) going away any time soon. An article she wrote for The Saturday Evening Post’s Jan./Feb. 2018 issue, titled ‘Let’s Keep the Funeral Traditional Alive’ makes a persuasive case for its continued importance.

A passionate advocate for funeral service, she has often been the story herself, having been interviewed throughout the years on television, radio, and in print.











If you are interested in having Alexandra speak about famous funerals and noted cemeteries, you may contact this site.