Photo By Jason Minto | Tracey Bacon, Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations mortuary affairs specialist, poses...... read more read more
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- For Tracey Bacon, becoming a mortuary affairs specialist wasn’t just a career choice—it was a calling rooted in both curiosity and service. As a member of the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations, she helps ensure America’s fallen are treated with dignity, honor and respect. Her journey to this meaningful profession began much earlier than most would expect.
When did your calling to this profession begin?
When I was in junior high, my health class took a field trip to a local funeral home. I thought it was fascinating that a person had the opportunity to be the last person to do something respectful for the deceased. Even then, the sense of honor in caring for others after death struck me. I knew I wanted to be a Soldier in the Army—but if I couldn’t, then I wanted to be a mortician.
How do people react when they learn what you do?
People often react with surprise or humor when they learn what I do. They’ll say, “Really? That’s different,” or tell me the old joke, “I bet people are just dying to meet you,” which always makes me smile. But not every reaction is lighthearted. One stands out in particular: a woman once yelled “Oh God!” and jumped away from me. I assured her that while I work with the dead, in my current profession I certainly don’t cause people to die upon meeting me.
What kind of education and training does your profession require?
To become a mortician, I pursued formal education in mortuary science. I hold an associate’s degree in applied science in Mortuary Science from Worsham Mortuary College in Chicago, Illinois. This profession demands both technical training and emotional resilience. These are qualities I strive to embody every day.
How has your work influenced your outlook on life?
My work doesn’t necessarily push me to live life to the fullest in the traditional sense, but it does influence how I interact with the people I love. It’s made me tell people I love them or care about them more often. You never know when the last time you will be able to speak to someone.
That perspective became deeply personal in 2007. I often think about the last conversation I had with my former husband. He was in Iraq, and just three and a half hours after we spoke, he was killed by an IED. He came through the Port Mortuary. I’ll never forget that day—or that conversation. I’m grateful for what we said to each other that day.
What keeps you motivated in such an emotional line of work?
Despite the emotional weight of the job, I find strength in the meaning behind the mission. Knowing that I get to do the last dignified thing for the deceased gives me a deep sense of purpose.
What lessons has serving at AFMAO taught you?
Serving at AFMAO has further shaped my outlook on life. It’s taught me how important it is to live an honorable life. To be a selfless servant to others is a worthy cause. And it’s just as important to care for people—whether they’re living or dead.
Today, Ms. Bacon serves in the Mortuary Affairs Case Management Branch at AFMAO, a unit dedicated to managing the cases of deceased or missing service members from past conflicts—including the Korean War, the Cold War and the Vietnam War—as well as more recent mission losses. She helps to ensure that every fallen hero is honored, and every family receives the care and closure they deserve. She also support the DOW mission of the Port Mortuary working as an embalmer.
| Date Taken: | 11.14.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 11.14.2025 15:51 |
| Story ID: | 551086 |
| Location: | DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, DELAWARE, US |
| Web Views: | 54 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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