Funeral Service and Mortuary Science
Overview
Funeral service and mortuary science programs prepare people to work as funeral directors or morticians.Funeral service and mortuary science programs prepare people to work as funeral directors or embalmers. Students learn mortuary science. They study the psychology of grief and the history and laws of funeral service. They also learn to manage a business and counsel family members.
These programs include topics such as:
- Mortuary science
- Grief counseling
- Embalming
- Funeral home management
- Funeral service law
Schools
Many community colleges offer associate degree programs in funeral service and mortuary science. An associate degree program usually takes two years of full-time study.
A few colleges and universities offer a bachelor's degree in funeral service and mortuary science. A bachelor’s degree usually takes four years of full-time study to complete.
See schools that offer this program.
Related Educational Programs
- Anatomy
- Biological Sciences, General
- Business Management and Administration
- Cosmetology and Hair Design
- Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
- Law
- Marriage and Family Counseling
Related Careers
Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study
Program Admission
You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.
Some schools may require you to complete prerequisite courses in the following subjects before entering the program:
- General Biology
- General Chemistry
- Math
You may also need to complete a personal interview.
Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:
- Accounting
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Art Appreciation
- Biology
- Business and Applied English
- Business Computer Applications
- Business Law
- Business Management
- Business Math
- Chemistry
- Community Health
- Community Service
- Comparative Religion
- Contemporary World Issues
- Health Education
- Hospitality
- Introduction to Business
- Introduction to Communication
- Marketing
- Music History and Appreciation
- Office Procedures
- Psychology
- Public Speaking
- Sociology
- US Ethnic and Gender Studies
Typical Course Work
Program Courses
This program typically includes courses in the following subjects:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Applied Accounting
- Business Law
- Embalming Anatomy and Pathology
- Funeral Merchandising
- Funeral Service Ceremonies
- Funeral Service Counseling and Ethics
- Funeral Service Psychology and Sociology
- History of Funeral Services
- Medical Vocabulary
- Microbiology
- Mortuary Administration
- Mortuary Law
- Psychology of Grief
- Public Speaking
- Restorative Art
- Small Business Management
Most programs either offer or require a practicum as part of their curriculum. This is a hands-on opportunity to practice some of the skills you have learned in a variety of funeral services. You might help with restoration and embalming processes. You might also work together with a funeral director, counseling families and walking them through funeral planning.
Whatever the setting or the role that you play, you benefit from the guidance and direct supervision of an experienced funeral services professional.
Things to Know
You need to be licensed to be a funeral director or embalmer. Although most states have separate licensure processes for each position, some states offer a single license for both.
Licensure requirements vary from state to state. They typically include completion of an accredited funeral services and mortuary science program, a one-year apprenticeship, and an exam. Usually you need to be at least 21 years old.
Some states require you to have a bachelor's degree to practice. Check your state board for more details.
You are expected to purchase your own lab equipment for course work.
Schools
King-Snohomish Area
Lake Washington Institute of Technology
- Funeral Service Education
- Health Sciences