ROWLEY – Jeff Megna of the F. S. Roberts & Son Funeral Home in Rowley was recognized at the Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association annual Funeral Service Appreciation Night in Needham last month.
“We are excited to recognize our colleague Jeffrey E. Megna of the F. S. Roberts & Son Funeral Home in Rowley on his 40th anniversary of professional licensure as a funeral director in Massachusetts,” the association shared, adding a heartfelt “congratulations, Jeff!”
Honored and Privileged to Serve Families in Rowley and Beyond
Jeff began his career in funeral service as a Registered Apprentice Funeral Director/Embalmer in 1978. He earned an associate in science degree in Funeral Service from the New England Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences, Boston and completed the National Board Examination as well as State exams and was licensed as a Funeral Director/Embalmer in the State of Massachusetts in 1984, and in Rhode Island in 1986. He currently holds a lifetime certification as a Funeral Service Practitioner with the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice.
Jeff’s educational journey continued, including graduating from Rhode Island College, Cambridge College, and completing graduate studies at Boston College, University of Rhode Island, and Providence College, respectively.
“I began my career as a middle school science teacher, then moved on to teach high school sciences,” Jeff related. “I was later appointed assistant principal, and principal at two schools. After serving in administration, I then moved on to college level. I served as the former department chair and associate professor of Funeral Service Education at the New England Institute at Mount Ida College (closed in May 2018). In May 2014, Jeff was awarded the Ronald J. Lettieri Award for Excellence in Teaching (Mount Ida College’s highest award granted). He also served as program coordinator and associate professor in the Funeral Service Program at Cape Cod Community College and is now Professor Emeritus.
A member of Pi Sigma Eta Funeral Service Honor Society, Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association, and the American Society of Embalmers.
“My first and life-time desire was always to be a teacher” Jeff said. “My interest in becoming a funeral director started when I was about 15 years old. I attended my grandmother’s wake and funeral, and it was then that my interest in death care was peaked. At that time, I think it was more about curiosity and that of the ‘unknown’ relative to the preparation and care of the deceased.”
“One of the most valuable lessons that I have learned working with families over the past forty years has been the fact that every family deals differently with grief and loss in their life. No two people grieve the same. Personally, I don’t like the term ‘closure’ because I do not believe that there is ever a definite ‘closure’ when it comes to death and the loss of a loved one. There will always be times and moments that bring us back to memories, thoughts, and feelings about those whose loss we experience,” Jeff shared.
“Although funeral service was not my first choice as a career, I must admit that it has brought fulfillment to my life, in the sense of helping others at one of the most vulnerable times in their life. I don’t think there is anything more important or precious than a family entrusting their loved one to my care,” said Jeff, adding “I feel honored and privileged to continue serving the families in Rowley and the surrounding communities.” ♦
