Kima Boyle
Kima Boyle is a licensed Funeral Director based in Staten Island, New York, known for her compassionate, client-centered approach to end-of-life care. Dedicated to serving families with dignity and respect, she specializes in coordinating funeral services, managing sensitive situations, and ensuring every detail is handled with professionalism and care. Boyle is recognized for her calm presence and strong interpersonal skills, providing guidance and comfort to families during some of life’s most difficult moments.
Boyle’s path to funeral service reflects resilience, purpose, and a deep commitment to helping others. Prior to entering the field, she built a diverse professional background as a police officer, federal correction officer, and in-home daycare provider. At age 52, she made the intentional decision to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a funeral director. She began by volunteering at a local funeral home, gaining hands-on experience and confirming her passion for the profession before earning her Associate’s Degree in Funeral Service and Mortuary Science from the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service. She later returned to complete her internship at the same funeral home, where she now serves families.
As a first-generation funeral director, Boyle has forged her own path in the industry with determination and heart. In addition to her funeral service work, she is an ordained minister through the Universal Life Ministry, allowing her to officiate weddings and perform baptisms—further extending her role in supporting individuals and families through life’s most meaningful milestones. Whether guiding families through loss or celebrating life’s beginnings, Boyle is committed to making a lasting, positive impact from the cradle to the grave.
• Universal Life Ministry Online Minister
• American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service
• Harriet Tubman Purple Hat Society
• Church Security
What do you attribute your success to?
I thank God that I've been able to achieve every dream I ever set out to do. My husband Dennis has been my greatest support system and my happy place. He drove me to the bus so I could attend my educational courses when I was pursuing my dreams. He's always been there cheering me on through my process and path. I also had a wonderful study buddy, Douglas Blasso, who was a great friend in school and an inspiration to me as well. Nobody in my family believed I was really going to become a funeral director since I'm a first-generation funeral director, so I had to kind of forge my own way. But with my faith, my husband's support, and the help of people like Douglas, I was able to make it happen. I've now received thank you cards from families and other gifts in gratitude for being able to be a part of their lives and connect with people on a deeper level.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
When asked about people who have impacted her life first and foremost she wanted highlight her incredible husband, Dennis, who has been a great support to her and helped drive her to the bus so that she could attend her educational courses when pursuing her dreams. He has always been her greatest support system and shared her on through her process and path. She has now been able to achieve a space where she receives thank you cards from families and other gifts in gratitude for being able to be a part of their lives and connect people on a deeper level. She would also love to highlight her study buddy Douglas Blasso who was a great friend in school an inspiration to her as well.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Never give up on your dreams. It is a hard field, but if you go the route I did, volunteer and get your foot through the door. You do have to study, so get a tutor or even a study buddy to help you through. I thank God I've been able to achieve every dream I ever set out to do. People say, 'Oh, I can never do that,' and I'm like, if I can do it, surely you can do it. I take care of six mentally challenged adults in my home with my husband, and I still pursued my dreams. If I can do it at 52, you can do it at any age. If I can get it done with everything I have going on, you can too. Never give up on your dream, and pursue your heart.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Taking care of people and making sure everything is done for them that needs to be done is most important to me. My husband calls me Oprah because I do give good advice that comes straight from my heart. I can't help but advise people when they call me in a crisis. I listen to what's going on and then help them work through it by sharing what I found that could help them. I believe your experiences will help guide others, so that's why I believe in talking to people. If you don't talk to people, they'll never know if you can help them. My husband is my happy place, and family comes first. I love spending time with my incredible husband of 19 years, our son, and our first grandchild. We share three dogs and I enjoy spending time at home enjoying our blessings, laughing and enjoying our lives together.