Dominick J. Astorino holds degrees in cellular biology, mortuary science, and forensic medicine; he is on faculty at the Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago and Wayne State University in Detroit, where he teaches courses in embalming, restorative art, and pathology.
His work in the field of restorative art and embalming is highlighted by publications as well as frequent invitations to present lectures across North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. Dominick believes in the power of education and the global value that viewing the dead offers to society. Because of this core belief he has worked to improve the standards of care not just in the United States but also in places such as Kenya, Trinidad, Hong Kong, and South Africa. He is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in Michigan and Illinois, has sat on the restorative art curriculum review committee for the American Board of Funeral Service Education, and offers expert witness testimony in legal proceedings related to mortuary science.
Dominick is fully committed to elevating educational standards and fostering a deeper understanding of restorative art, especially as it correlates to embalming and forensic medicine. He is the author of the textbook Postmortem Restorative Art: Principles, Methods & Applications, which has been described as a seminal work in the field of mortuary science. This textbook reflects over 20 years of research and practical experience aiming to provide an accessible yet thorough examination of restorative art.