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The funeral business was a second career for David Coughran, who at age 27 decided he wanted to leave his banking job.
"I had looked at the industry for many years, but right out of high school I don't think I was ready," said Coughran, director of Delgado Community College's funeral services education program. "I like the idea of helping families. I like the fast pace of the profession. Most everyone has the idea that they walk into a funeral home and someone is standing there in a suit waiting for the family. That's such a small percentage."
Coughran teaches the "arts and nonscience" sides of the business, which includes everything from embalming to mortuary law and funeral directing.
"I compare it to a wedding. You get one shot, and that's a lot of expense. ... It has to come off perfect without a hitch."
How...