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A career in funeral service might be a good choice if you:
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Like to help others
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Have an interest in human
biological sciences
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Want to get involved in your community
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Like to work in a business environment
A Funeral Service Professional:
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Works with the bereaved, providing sensitive, effective
intervention during a time of emotional need.
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Is a professional caregiver who enables families and
communities to express their concern for life and the
living.
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Is a motivated man or woman who practices a unique vocation
and who is legally required to possess certain professional
qualifications.
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Is involved in a variety of activities within the community.
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Carries out administrative and logistical tasks required by
law, custom and accepted practice.
Duties and responsibilities of a funeral service professional:
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Provides support to the bereaved during initial stages of
their grief.
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Arranges and directs funeral ceremonies.
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Arranges for removal of the deceased from the place of
death.
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Prepares the body according to the wishes of the survivors
and requirements of the law.
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Secures information for legal documents.
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Files death certificates and other legal papers.
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Assists survivors with details for filing claims for death
benefits.
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Helps individuals adapt to changes in their lives following
a death through post-death counseling and support group
activities.
Why should you enter funeral service?
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You are a caregiver who desires to serve others.
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You believe that ceremony is an effective means of
expressing feelings and meeting needs.
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You are tolerant of ways in which people of different faiths
and cultures express their feelings and practice their
beliefs.
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You are interested in the technical sciences.
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You exhibit sensitivity and compassion for those with whom
you are in contact.
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You are interested in learning all aspects of a business.
Educational Requirements
The following is a summary of basic educational requirements for
most states.
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A high school diploma or equivalent.
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An Associate Degree, or its credit hour equivalent, a
portion of which is in funeral service education.
(Arapahoe
Community College in Littleton, CO has an accredited
mortuary science program.)
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Passing a state and/or
national board licensing examination
administered through the International Conference of Funeral
Service Examining Boards. (In Colorado, passing the national
board exam is required for MSP certification.)
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An internship or apprenticeship ranging from one to three
years.
(MSP internship is one year in Colorado.)
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Many states require that funeral directors meet continuing
education requirements to maintain licensure. (Six hours of
continuing education is required to maintain Active status
with the Colorado Funeral Service Board.)
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In most states,
funeral directors and embalmers must be licensed through a
state-regulated agency.
In Colorado, voluntary certification is available through
the
Colorado
Funeral Service Board
in lieu of licensing.
The funeral service curriculum, approved
by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), the
United States'
funeral service accrediting agency, includes courses in:
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Public Health and Technical Area - microbiology, anatomy,
chemistry, pathology, restorative art and embalming.
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Business Management Area - business management, funeral
arranging, funeral merchandising, funeral home management,
computer applications, Federal Trade Commission Funeral Rule
and accounting.
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Social Science Area - sociology of funeral service,
psychology of grief, funeral directing, history of funeral
service, communication skills and counseling.
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Legal, Regulatory and Ethical Area - business law, funeral
service law and regulation and professional ethics.
Career opportunities
With more than 21,000 funeral homes in the
United States,
there is always a need for well trained funeral service
professionals. Demand is great for graduates who have prepared
themselves for management positions by selecting business and
communications courses as part of their college program.
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