By Thomas A. Parmalee
Katie Dunkel stays busy managing a Service Corporation International location, Pat. H. Foley & Co. in Houston.
But when she isn’t helping families honor and remember loved ones, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll find her doing one of two things: playing pickleball or putting in the hard work necessary to build her business, Digital Script Keepsakes, which she began on Etsy before transitioning it to a full-fledged business at the beginning of this year.
The concept is so simple that it’s brilliant: “We specialize in turning your handwritten notes, recipes, and personal messages into exquisite home goods,” according to the company’s website. “From cozy pillows to elegant tea towels and magnetic keepsakes, we offer a range of products that celebrate the uniqueness of your story.”
FuneralVision.com couldn’t help but be impressed by Dunkel’s go-getter attitude and flair for creativity.
We recently reached out to her to learn how she made her way into funeral service, what she struggles with as a funeral professional, what she loves most about her job and how she’s continuing to challenge herself by growing her business.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m originally from a small town in Southern Illinois. I have lived in Houston for 10 years now. I really love Houston from all the food to the diversity it brings – it has a lot to offer.
Outside of work, you can likely find me playing pickleball with my friends several nights a week and even the occasional tournament on weekends. I also love DIY projects and using my creativity. I have an 11- year-old cat, Polly Pocket. Most of my family lives in Illinois and Oklahoma. I do have a few cousins here in the Houston area. I enjoy traveling whether it be to see family or somewhere with either mountains or a beach!
How did you first become interested in funeral service?
In high school, I had a friend whose older sister went to mortuary school. I was so intrigued. Honestly, I didn’t know women did this. Being from a small town (Mount Carmel, Illinois), my parents knew the owner of our local funeral home- Short-Cunningham. I was able to shadow the funeral directors and embalmers there. After a few visits and gaining their trust, they allowed me to see and do even more hands on. This led to a part-time job and has snowballed into my full career.
Is there a particular funeral service or experience that has made a lasting impression on you and/or has reminded you of why you chose to get into death care?
In my teens (both prior and during my time working in a funeral home), I experienced the loss of a few friends as well as my brother’s death when I was 18. Looking back, I think those experiences definitely molded me and were somewhat make or break moments for my future in this industry. Going through a traumatic loss will show you how important funeral professionals are to the family and the community. It’s always been important for me to help. I learned my gift of helping in this way at a younger age than most, but it’s something I am grateful for.
How did you end up going from Illinois to Texas?
After graduating from Southern Illinois University and completing my internship, I was ready for a change. The stars aligned perfectly as I finished my apprentice cases in the summer of 2014. In August, I applied for a funeral director position I found in Houston. By October, I was fully moved and starting my new journey. It’s really crazy to look back on how quickly it all happened. This is also where I first joined Service Corporation International. I didn’t know a lot about the company back then, but not having my own family in the industry I was interested in this path. With Houston being a major city, SCI has a Care Center. I liked the idea of being able to focus more on families and services rather than embalming. I felt it was important for me, personally, as it gave me a little more work life balance.
At some point in your career, you began focusing more on funeral home operations, such as logistics, compliance, financial reporting, etc. What was behind the change?
Yes, in 2017 I was promoted to be a location manager. My location is a standalone location (no cemetery attached), so I still work closely with families alongside my funeral director and the rest of my team. You are right though, there is a lot more focusing on compliance and financials.
I have always been pretty driven and knew when I started as a funeral director that I wanted to get into management. I was able to achieve a promotion fairly quickly, but I was still very young. I went from feeling so secure in funeral directing to then managing other adults. I had a lot to learn! I have since become very confident in what I’m doing and have remained at the same location I was promoted to: Pat H. Foley & Company, which was started in 1965. It’s an honor to be a part of such a long heritage. I work in a great area of Houston and love the connections I’ve been able to make with this community. It definitely gives me that similar feeling I had in my hometown.
What is your favorite part about working for SCI?
SCI is a company that can afford people with endless opportunities from a career standpoint. I’m fortunate enough to work where SCI headquarters is located. That was a happy accident! In a corporation, you get to work with many different people whose roles assist us in our day to day helping families. Many of my leaders and mentors have been so supportive of my goals and that is really valuable to me. At the end of the day, though, I truly believe regardless of where you work, your direct leaders have the biggest impact on you. I’ve been very fortunate in that regard.
What is the biggest challenge you face as a funeral professional?
Mental health is the first thing that comes to mind. I’m a huge advocate for taking care of yourself. It reminds me of that saying, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” We can’t help families as well when we are struggling. My mental health journey started with going to therapy, learning who I am, and unlearning some of my perfectionistic tendencies and poor coping skills. I realized those things were actually limiting me rather than helping me.
You recently started your own company – Digital Script Keepsakes. Tell me … was there an epiphany moment when the idea or the business struck you … or was it just festering for a long time?
The concept initially started with my Etsy shop where I offered digital products only. It has all unfolded in many phases up to this point.
My customers would buy the listing, then provide a picture via message of the handwritten recipe or note. The handwriting is then digitally traced by me to create a high-quality image file in both JPEG and PNG formats. These files are emailed directly to the customer, who can then take them to a print shop or print at home. Once printed, they can frame the image and use it as a keepsake art piece.
I’ve since started my own website Digital Script Keepsakes. That is where I have now expanded the business to offer physical products, too.
What are the main products you sell through Digital Script Keepsakes – and which one is proving to be the most popular so far?
The main products are home décor items such as decorative pillows, pillow covers, wall art, kitchen magnets, canvases and tea towels. I still offer digital products, too: a print-from-home option that can be framed by the customer. I would say the digital product and the decorative pillow are the most popular items.
What does pricing range from, and how hard was it to determine pricing, so that it appeals to families while also offering you a profit?
Prices range from $15 to $60.95. It’s important to me that people see the value of our products. Not only are these custom designed, they are likely very sentimental to the customer. Our pricing is based on a typical retail business model while also considering the time it takes the digital artist to replicate the handwriting. We take in every detail of the writing and make sure it is perfect before designing it on the product.
Are you also working directly with funeral homes?
We are mainly focused on selling directly to the public. I’m more than happy to communicate to other funeral homes and funeral professionals to discuss how we can best assist in providing this to a family.
Being a newer small business, we do not offer wholesale or personal incentives. As we expand, I am open to growing in that way.
How sweet would it be to include someone’s handwriting in their own memorial program? I’m definitely open to helping funeral homes make custom products – especially with the digital product we offer. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me to discuss that process.
How did you find a partner to manufacture your product or how does that work?
A lot of research, as well as ordering sample products from different companies. Every product we use has been personally inspected to make sure we are offering high-quality items.
Why do you think keepsakes with script as an element resonate so powerfully with families?
I love this question. I think once people see that special message or recipe in that familiar handwriting on a real product … it tugs on the heart strings and brings back a particular memory for them. That’s how all of this started really: My Grandma Peggy was known for her sour cream cookie recipe.
Every year at Christmastime, she would make dozens of them, and the granddaughters would come over and help decorate. There are lots of memories in those moments when I reflect back. She passed away in 2018. My cousin inherited most of her recipe cards, and she scanned all of them and created a google drive to share with the rest of us. I had seen someone digitally tracing handwriting before, and it gave me the idea to do that with her most special recipe: Sour Cream Cookies. I finished it and sent it to my cousin (who lives 800 miles away from me now). I told her she could print it and frame it especially for Christmastime. Well, she ended up surprising me with putting this image on a magnet and gifting it to me. It was the sweetest thing. It is on my fridge and I think about my grandma every time I see it. PLUS it makes it super convenient to follow the recipe when I’m baking!
Without getting too technical, can you share with us the technology behind how you create keepsakes with script as such an essential element?
Sure! I upload the customer’s original image to a program on my iPad. This software allows me to carefully and diligently trace the handwriting. It’s important for me to share that I do not try and “improve” the handwriting. If a person had terrible penmanship, who cares! It’s special all the same. I think handwriting is so unique to each human – similar to a fingerprint. As a digital artist, we have a certain skillset and tools we use to make sure the digital tracing is a perfect replication to the original writing.
What did you wish you knew about starting your own business that you’ve since learned?
Success really is subjective. No business receives tons of orders and clients overnight. You can absolutely find success in the small things!
Is there a book or resource that you’d recommend other funeral professionals check out, and why?
A book I’d recommend is “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz. It’s a great book for any person, not just funeral professionals. It’s about taking personal responsibility and living a more fulfilling life by breaking down these Four Agreements that the author describes. It’s a great book to occasionally reread as well!
Are there any final thoughts you’d like to share?
This product is not just for those who have lost someone, but as funeral professionals we often see the joy and happiness that sentimental gifts can bring to people.
For anyone interested, they can visit and order from my website: digitalscriptkeepsakes.com. You can also follow us on Instagram digital.script.keepsakes or on Facebook at Digital Script Keepsakes.
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