Expert Witness Services for Attorneys: CV of Travis Newman
Professional Summary
A results-oriented funeral professional with over 20 years of experience in funeral service and education. Expertise in mortuary operations, regulatory compliance, embalming, and industry best practices. Extensive background in expert testimony, consulting, and forensic funeral service analysis. Proven leadership in funeral home management, employee training, and industry advocacy.
✔ Experienced in testifying at legislative hearings regarding funeral practices
✔ Former President, Montana Funeral Directors Association
✔ National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) Policy Board Member (2015-2018)
✔ Licensed Texas Funeral Director & Embalmer
✔ Skilled in embalming and reconstructive techniques
Expert Witness & Consulting Services
🔹 Expert Testimony & Litigation Support
- Extensive experience providing expert witness testimony in legal proceedings.
- Knowledge of mortuary standards, embalming procedures, and regulatory compliance.
- Served as a liaison to the Montana Board of Funeral Service, advising on professional standards.
🔹 Funeral Industry Standards & Best Practices
- Advises attorneys on funeral home operations, negligence claims, and ethical considerations.
- Evaluates embalming techniques, crematory procedures, and OSHA compliance.
🔹 Training & Professional Development
- Technical embalming presenter at multiple industry conferences.
- Provides consulting and education for funeral professionals and legal teams.
Professional Experience
Funeral & Education Industry Leadership
Professor of Mortuary Science – Pierce Colleges, Dallas, TX (2021 – Present)
- Educates future funeral professionals in mortuary science, embalming, and funeral law.
- Develops training programs for compliance and best practices in the profession.
General Manager & Mortician – Smith Funeral Chapels, MT (2009 – 2015)
- Managed three funeral home locations, overseeing daily operations, budgeting, and staffing.
- Ensured compliance with state licensing and OSHA regulations.
- Provided expertise in embalming, reconstructive surgery, and cosmetic restoration.
Mortician – Missoula, MT (2005 – 2007, 2015 – 2020)
- Conducted postmortem reconstruction and forensic embalming.
- Operated crematory facilities and handled prearrangement planning.
Education & Credentials
📜 Master’s Degree – Industrial & Organizational Psychology
Bellevue University, NE
📜 Bachelor’s Degree – Management
Montana State University – Billings
📜 Associate Degree – Mortuary Science
Kansas City Kansas Community College
📜 Texas Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer (Since 2021)
📜Montana Licensed Mortician (2005-2022)
Industry Leadership & Presentations
✔ Technical Embalming Presenter – Montana Funeral Directors Association Conferences
✔ International Embalming & Reconstructive Surgery Conference Attendee (2010, 2012, 2016)
✔ Testified at Montana Legislative Committee Hearings on funeral professional standards
✔ NFDA Policy Board Member (2015-2018)
✔ President, Montana Funeral Directors Association (2016)