Arlillian Kate Bushelon
Funeral service executive, educator, speaker and community servant — a native of Birmingham, Alabama, and daughter of the late Aubrey Bushelon, founder of Bushelon Funeral Home, Inc., and Mrs. LeVoria O. Bushelon.
MBA · CFSP · CFSGM
Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer
Families deserve the truth, told gently.
Funeral service is equal parts logistics and ministry. My work is to carry the weight of the details so a family can carry their grief — and to teach the profession to do the same with excellence, integrity, and warmth.
“It's not about what I can do alone — it's about what we can build together.”
A path built one family at a time
1976
A family legacy begins
Bushelon Funeral Home, Inc. is founded in Birmingham by the late Aubrey Bushelon.
Education
Business, then mortuary science
Marketing at Clark Atlanta University, an MBA at Strayer, and mortuary science at Jefferson State.
Licensure
Funeral director & embalmer
Fifteen years licensed, with CFSP, CFSGM and cremation operator certifications.
Leadership
Operations at Bushelon
Eleven years leading daily operations, strategy, marketing and community engagement as Secretary & Treasurer.
Community
West End Food Truck Park
Founded to support Black-owned small businesses and reinvest proceeds into the surrounding community.
Today
Educator & speaker
Teaching families and professionals nationwide about funeral service done right.
A foundation built on discipline and study.
An Honors Graduate of George Washington Carver High School, Kate has spent two decades preparing — academically and professionally — to serve at every level of funeral service.
- Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing — Clark Atlanta University
- Master of Business Administration, Management — Strayer University
- Associate of Applied Science, Mortuary Science — Jefferson State Community College
- Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer (15 years)
- Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP)
- Certified Funeral Service General Manager (CFSGM)
- Certified Cremation Operator
Bushelon Funeral Home
Eleven years leading one of Alabama's most respected firms.
As Secretary and Treasurer, Kate has led strategic operations, marketing, business development and community engagement — preserving and expanding the legacy her father established in 1976. Under her leadership the firm has been named CommunityVotes Birmingham's Best Funeral Home five consecutive years.
Visit Bushelon Funeral Home
Strong businesses should strengthen the communities they serve.
Kate founded the West End Food Truck Park, an initiative designed to support predominantly Black-owned small businesses while reinvesting proceeds into the surrounding community.
Funding has supported educational initiatives, school technology, financial literacy programs for students, youth athletics, health clinics, and scholarships.
A proven record. A trusted voice.
- Chairman, Alabama Funeral Directors & Morticians Association
- Secretary & Treasurer, Bushelon Funeral Home, Inc.
- Public Relations Chair, Tri-County (AL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated
- Board Member, Urban League of Alabama
- Board Member, National Museum of Funeral History
- Past President, Alabama Funeral Directors & Morticians Association
Honored at home. Recognized nationally.
Selected as the cover feature of American Funeral Director magazine — an internationally circulated publication highlighting leaders shaping the future of funeral service.
- Cover Feature — American Funeral Director magazine
- Runner-Up, Funeral Director of the Year — American Funeral Director
- Birmingham Business Journal 40 Under 40
- The Birmingham Times Woman to Watch
- Urban League Empower Her Impact Award for Business
- This is Alabama: Women Who Shape the State
- Spa Boss Tribe Alabama Humanitarian of the Year
- CommunityVotes Birmingham's Best Funeral Home — 5 consecutive years
- Lifetime Member & Gold Award — Girl Scouts of America