Meet Alexandra Mosca

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alexandra Mosca. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alexandra, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

Actually, my purpose found me. It was at the start of my college years when I took an after-school job at a local funeral home. Initially, I was looking to earn some extra money, but what I found was much more valuable.
When I began working there, I was struck by both the responsibility and the deeply meaningful nature of the work, helping families through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Each day I learned something new—not just about the logistics of the profession, but also about empathy, compassion, and the importance of honoring a person’s life after they have passed. Working at that funeral home shaped my understanding of what it means to find purpose in one’s work. Eventually, what had begun as curiosity evolved into a calling of sorts. As an empath, I knew I was well-suited for this career.

I decided to pause my original plans of becoming a writer to pursue a career as a funeral director. After I became licensed, I told myself, I would find a way to incorporate my passion for writing with funeral service. How I would do that was unclear to me at the time. Still, despite the uncertainty, I was committed to exploring both paths, even as I faced some challenges along the way.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m a funeral director running a small business in Queens, New York. While I’m dedicated to my work, at heart, I’ve always been a writer. From my earliest days, contributing to the school newspaper or working on book reports, storytelling has been a motivating force

By combining my background in funeral service with my passion for writing I discovered a unique niche: shining a light on the rich often-overlooked histories to be found in cemeteries and the stories of their notable inhabitants. I aim to fill a void by offering a perspective on cemeteries rooted in respect and history.

Cemeteries inspire me. Having spent so much of my life in them (above the ground) I view them as more than final resting places. They are outdoor museums, vital repositories of history, culture, and contain myriad stories waiting to be told. My experiences as a funeral are what have inspired me to share these stories of those who have gone before us, especially because I understand the purpose of cemeteries more than most. You might say that I tell tales from the grave—literally.

As I walk among the permanent residents, I often feel as if they are reaching out, longing for their stories to be told. Over my years as a funeral director, I have learned that no one wants to be forgotten. As an African proverb says: “As long as you speak my name, I shall live forever.” This sentiment drives my dedication to telling their stories and shapes my dual approach as both a funeral director and storyteller.

In addition to my articles, I am the author of two cemetery books, “Green-Wood Cemetery” and “Gardens of Stone.” I have also conducted cemetery tours. Below are some photo highlights from my articles and tours.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The three qualities that have been most helpful in my career journey have been resilience, optimism, and unwavering commitment. Resilience has helped me overcome challenges; it’s essential to keep pushing forward even when faced with setbacks. Optimism has allowed me to maintain a positive outlook and see opportunities in difficult situations, while commitment has driven me to stay focused on my goals despite obstacles.

For those starting out, my advice is to cultivate these qualities. Surround yourself with supportive people who uplift you and seek mentors who can guide you; they are invaluable for growth. Reflecting on my own experience where I lacked this support, I now mentor young women in funeral service—especially those focused on growth rather than social media fame—who I believe have great potential. They are the ones to watch.

Embrace challenges as learning opportunities and remember that quitting should never be an option. The tougher things get, the more motivated you should become to prove to yourself that you can overcome adversity. Stay committed to your goals, and you’ll find that resilience and optimism will follow.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

Time is the scarcest commodity for me. As a funeral director, I need to be available around the clock and can be called at any moment. This demanding schedule shapes the way I manage my days. Because of it, I wake up every morning at 5 a.m. to write for a couple of hours before heading to the funeral home. After my workday, I continue writing when I return home at night. Interestingly, some of my stories are inspired by the experiences I’ve had at work that day, creating a direct link between my profession and my creativity. With all these commitments in mind, I am trying to figure out how to make the most of a 24-hour day. There are so many more stories to tell.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.alexandramosca.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gardens_of_stone/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gardensofstonebyalexandrakathrynmosca/