Michelle Johnston

Licensed Funeral Professional & Educator

Michelle Johnston has been licensed as a funeral director and embalmer since 2013. She is married to Benjamin Johnston and has three children. She graduated from Dallas Institute of Funeral Service in 2012 and was dual licensed in 2013. She attended Fountain National Academy in Springfield, Missouri to further her knowledge in Restorative Art and postmortem
reconstructive surgery. She has advanced skills in both embalming and restorative art. Michelle opened East Texas Mortuary Service in Tyler, Texas in 2019 and began serving funeral homes by offering all services, from embalming to advanced trauma repair.

In March of 2023, she was approved by the APFSP and the State anatomical board to open her own education institution for professionals. That Institution is named Johnston Embalming & Reconstructive Institute. Michelle currently holds multiple positions within the Texas Funeral Directors Association.

Michelle strives to change the narrative in the industry from closed caskets to the possibility of open caskets under any circumstance. In 2021, she was awarded the East Texas Embalmer of the Year award and has been invited to speak on many platforms, including Fountain National Academy Biennial International Embalming & Reconstructive Surgery Conference for
Professional Embalmers in 2022, teaching new techniques to embalmers and students.