Post-graduate work at Southwestern Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, TX; MDiv from Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary, Jacksonville, TX; BAR from Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary, Jacksonville, TX; AAS in Funeral Service, Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, Dallas, TX; Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer; ICCFA Certified Cremation Arranger and Crematory Operator
Mr. Mullins calls Cincinnati, Ohio, home, but has been a Texas resident for many years. He and his wife, Kelly, have been married for almost 30 years, and have two amazing sons. He pastored churches in East Texas for many years before returning to his first love - funeral service. He has been with Dallas Institute since 2011.
Brian first came to love funeral service while working and living at Thompson Funeral Home in Jacksonville, Texas. During this time, he was pursuing his Bachelor of Arts in Religion at the BMA Seminary in Jacksonville. Upon graduation, he began the life of a bi-vocational pastor. This endeavor allowed him to work, pastor, and complete his Master of Divinity degree. After some post-graduate studies at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, his wife asked him “when were you the happiest?” His response took him back to the two-room apartment at Thompson’s.
After 20 years of active ministry Brian stepped aside to be a full-time husband and father, and to pursue “happiness.” In 2006 Calvary Hill Funeral Home in Dallas, Texas provided him with the opportunity to work as a “protestant minister on call.” This led to a part-time job, and finally to Calvary Hill’s offer to send him to the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service. He graduated from DIFS in November 2009 with honors and was very proud to have received the prestigious honor of the “Bill Pierce Award.” His parting words to Mr. Charlie Fulton were “if the school is ever in need of an instructor, please let me know.” That call came in August 2011, and Brian, with the blessing of dear friends and co-workers in the profession, accepted.
Mr. Mullins helped to develop the online learning program for Pierce Mortuary Colleges, and currently supports funeral service education on a national level through his work with the American Board of Funeral Service Education and the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards. He is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, Texas Funeral Directors Association, and the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. The latter of which allowed him to receive his CFSP (Certified Funeral Service Practitioner) designation in 2016. The CFSP is a national funeral service individual recognition organization. The Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice awards this special recognition to members upon completion of specified academic and professional programs. Annually one must receive at least twenty hours of continuing education to continue the designation.
Has he found what he was pursuing? “If I can help one student realize that the grieving individual across the table is more important than their schedule, budget, or personal comfort, then I have created a funeral director. Besides, I now minister on a daily basis, and don’t have to deal with sub-committees.” Mr. Mullins teaches History of Funeral Service and Religious Funeral Rites. In addition, he serves as the Director of Curriculum Development for Dallas Institute of Funeral Service and Pierce Mortuary Colleges as a whole.