Lauren Michelle Budrow

Lauren Michelle Budrow is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Mortuary Science at Wayne State University, specializing in cross-cultural funeral traditions and religious death beliefs across global societies.

Her research examines the intersection of cultural rituals, religious frameworks, and practical funeral service operations, with emphasis on how diverse communities conceptualize and manage death practices. This includes analysis of thanatochemistry (chemical processes in mortuary science), funeral directing protocols, and the business dimensions of death care through management, accounting, and merchandising.