About Us
Discover the heart behind Johnston Embalming & Reconstructive Institute—founded by nationally recognized embalmer, educator, and industry trailblazer, Michelle Johnston.
Meet Michelle
Michelle Johnston is a licensed funeral director and embalmer whose passion for excellence has reshaped the standards of modern mortuary science. A graduate of Dallas Institute of Funeral Service (Class of 2012), she became dual licensed in 2013 and went on to specialize in restorative art and postmortem reconstructive surgery through advanced training at Fountain National Academy in Springfield, Missouri.
Her mastery in both embalming and trauma repair led her to open East Texas Mortuary Service in 2019, where she provided full-service support to funeral homes with unparalleled skill and care. In 2023, Michelle’s vision expanded with the founding of Johnston Embalming & Reconstructive Institute (J.E.R.I.), an APFSP and State Anatomical Board-approved educational institution committed to raising the bar in funeral service education.
Michelle currently serves in multiple leadership roles within the Texas Funeral Directors Association and continues to champion the possibility of dignified, open-casket viewings—even in the most difficult cases. She was honored as East Texas Embalmer of the Year in 2021—a recognition of her dedication to excellence in the profession. Most recently, in 2024, she took the stage as a featured speaker at the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) Conference in New Orleans, further cementing her place as a respected voice and thought leader in the field.
A devoted wife and mother of three, Michelle combines deep compassion with technical brilliance, inspiring both her peers and the next generation of embalmers through her work, mentorship, and unwavering belief that every family deserves a final goodbye filled with grace and dignity.
Speaking Engagements
📍 2021 – Emerging Leaders University (Rockwall, TX)
📍 2022 – Fountain National Academy Biennial Conference for Professional Embalmers (Springfield, MO)
📍 2023 – Cold Hands Women's Workshop and Retreat (Tempe, AZ)
📍 2023 – Illinois Funeral Directors Association Convention (Springfield, IL)
📍 2023 – Iowa Funeral Directors Association Convention (Des Moines, IA)
📍 2023 – Kansas FDA Embalming Seminar (Salina, KS)
📍 2023 – Nebraska FDA Convention (Kearney, NE)
📍 2023 – New Jersey Funeral Directors Association Convention
📍 2023 – Texas Funeral Directors Association Convention (Irving, TX)
📍 2024 – Emerging Leaders University (Tyler, TX)
📍 2024 – FRIGID Embalm Better Conference (Miami, FL)
📍 2024 – Iowa Funeral Directors Association Convention (Des Moines, IA)
📍 2024 – Multiple Virtual Courses via JERI Platform
📍 2024 – National Funeral Directors Association Convention (New Orleans, LA)
📍 2024 – New Jersey Funeral Directors Association Convention
📍 2024 – Oklahoma FDA Professional Women's Conference (Edmond, OK)
📍 2024 – Texas Funeral Directors Association Convention (Austin, TX)
📍 2024 – Wilbert EDU Virtual Training
📍 2024 – Wisconsin Funeral Director Recertification (Fond du Lac, WI)
📍 2025 – Academy of Graduate Embalmers of Georgia (Macon, GA)
📍 2025 – Illinois Funeral Directors Association Convention (Oakbrook, IL)
📍 2025 – National Funeral Directors Association Convention (Chicago, IL)
📍 2025 – Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association Convention
📍 2025 – Private Training in Embalming Center (Ft Worth, TX)
📍 2025 – SCI Market Meeting (Tyler, TX)
📍 2025 – Texas Funeral Directors Association Convention (Galveston, TX)
📍 2025 – Virtual Training with Florida Mortuary College
📍 2025 – Wilbert EDU Virtual Training
📍 2025 – Wisconsin Funeral Director Recertification (April, Fond du Lac, WI)
📍 2025 – Wisconsin Funeral Director Recertification (November, Fond du Lac, WI)