By Mary Gartner | Staff Writer
When Dulcinea “Dulcie” Lane walks through the doors of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home in
Springfield, Missouri, she carries with her more than professional expertise. She brings a quiet reverence, a listening ear, and a deep understanding of the sacred space between grief and healing. As the Lead Embalmer, a position she’s held for most of her nine years with the funeral home, Dulcie tends to those who can no longer speak for themselves—while honoring the memories of those who love them.
Her journey into funeral service began not with certainty, but with curiosity—and an open heart. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, and raised in Harrison, Arkansas, Dulcie once imagined she might study psychology. But life had other plans. “I wound up needing to care for a family earlier than anticipated,” she shares. “So I started researching careers that required less schooling but could still help people, offer stability, and be emotionally fulfilling.”
A serendipitous encounter with a substitute teacher—Mr. Hill—sparked a pivotal conversation about embalming, a profession Dulcie knew little about at the time. His thoughtful explanation of the process stirred something in her. “I wasn’t certain if I would emotionally be able to do it,” she admits. But it piqued her interest.
She enrolled in the funeral science program at Arkansas State University in Mountain Home, a two-hour drive from home. It was during her hands-on training—required to graduate—that she encountered the moment that would define her calling. “On my first day, I had two cases. The second was an infant,” she recalls, her voice soft. As she quietly cried through the procedure, she thought of her own son who was almost two. When she finished the case she beheld how peaceful the baby looked.
That day changed everything. Dulcie realized her strength came not from detachment, but from a mother’s empathy and the desire to give others a final, meaningful moment. Shortly after, she moved to Springfield and found her professional home at Gorman-Scharpf, where she serves as Lead Embalmer and stays licensed as a funeral director to step in wherever she’s needed.
Dulcie’s approach to her work is deeply personal and highly attentive. “I’m open to any and all suggestions,” she says. Families are often invited to view their loved one before the service to ensure they look as natural and familiar as possible. “I always tell them, ‘All I have is one picture. You have a lifetime of memories. You’re the authority—I’m just the tool.’”
And those details matter. From hairstyles to hand gestures—like the “hang ten” pose one family requested—Dulcie works to preserve identity and essence. When time allows, she even turns to social media to glean insights, scrolling through profiles to get a feel for someone’s smile or the direction of their hair. “Every last little detail helps me do my best,” she says.
For Dulcie, the work is more than technical skill—it’s a form of emotional service. She’s not just preparing the deceased for burial—she’s offering families something sacred: comfort, dignity, and peace in their most vulnerable moments. And in doing so, she reminds us all of the healing power found in care, compassion, and human connection.
