Spotlight #73: Blacks Mortuary

Blacks Mortuary & Cremation Services P.A. was a dream in Colt Black’s mind ever since being called to service as a funeral director at the age of 9 years old, when he told his parents he wanted to become a funeral director after attending the funeral of his Great Uncle.

Of course most kids change their mind a dozen times before high school and even after college as to what they want to do for careers, Colt never wavered in his decision to serve and help people in their darkest hour of need when they lose a loved one.

It further stoked Colt’s passion for the funeral profession when he learned that his Great-Great Uncle, Elmer Black had owned and operated Blacks Undertaking for 25 years in Thurmont, MD until his retirement in 1911.

Colt became more determined than ever to bring the Black family name back into funeral service.

After graduating Catoctin High School, Colt immediately enrolled in mortuary school at Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. During his time in Pittsburgh he worked for both a funeral home as well as a removal service assisting families and learning more about his chosen profession along the way.

In 2008, Colt decided to come home and finish his degree online through the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York City.

He graduated in August 2009 with his degree in funeral service.

Colt served his apprenticeship with David Burdock of Burdock Funeral Homes with locations in both Kitzmiller and Oakland Maryland. During his apprenticeship he lived above the funeral home with his wife and young son in Kitzmiller.

After becoming licensed in June 2010, Colt left the Burdock Funeral Home as there was not enough work for all licensed funeral directors on staff.

Colt, worked diligently to find a job as a funeral director however there was little work to be found in the four state area.

So with that in mind, Colt started his first business venture embalming for other funeral directors when they were busy: Blacks Trade Embalming Service.

Struggling to make it with just trade embalming alone, it became apparent that he could grow his business by servicing multiple states with a multitude of industry support services; Colt obtained his licenses in neighboring states of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, District of Columbia and Delaware. All licenses of which he still maintains in good standing today.

With a gift from his Grandmother, Colt purchased a 1998 Chevy Suburban, his Mom and Dad helped him purchase additional equipment to outfit his removal vehicle and in September 2010 he incorporated to form Blacks Mortuary Services Inc.

From 2010 to 2015, Colt operated Blacks Mortuary Services Inc., assisting funeral directors from all across the United States and around the world with everything from transportation and shipping of human remains, embalming, restorative art, and funeral service supervision for out of state funeral directors. Serving his colleagues in the profession is still a core part of his business to this day.

In 2015, Colt applied for a funeral establishment license to expand into the public sector and service families as he had always dreamed of since being a young boy. Blacks Mortuary & Cremation Services P.A. finally received licensure in December 2015.

While our journey to this point in time has been a long one for our family, often times filled with struggle we can say without reservation that we are so very proud to be able to assist you and your family in one of life’s most challenging times.

It is sincerely our privilege and pleasure to be at your family’s service.