Field of Study: Funeral Service and Mortuary Science
Introduction
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.
Overview
Many people believe that funeral service and mortuary science is a gloomy field because it focuses on death. Although it wouldn't be fair to try to diminish the grief that death can bring, people in this field do their best to honor and celebrate life. Carefully restoring and preserving the body, showing compassion for the grieving, and bringing loved ones together are all ways that they do this.
Planning and preparing for a funeral takes a lot of work. Just as with a wedding or other large occasion, taking care of details and requirements can be overwhelming. Funeral service professionals lessen the stress by taking on many of these responsibilities.
In order to do this, they need to have compassion, business know-how, and organizational skills. In some cases, they also need an aptitude for artistry. If you possess these qualities, funeral services and mortuary science may be the program of study for you.
In this program, you take lab science courses that teach you to restore the body through embalming and other procedures. You also take courses in the psychology and sociology of death and funerals, which prepare you to counsel families and help them through a difficult time. Also, because you may work with people from a wide range of cultures and religions, you also learn about different end-of-life traditions and requirements.
About 60 schools offer programs in funeral services and mortuary science. You can earn either an associate degree, which typically takes two years of full-time study after high school, or a bachelor's degree, which usually takes about four years.
College preparation
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.
- Marketing
- Business Math
- Comparative Religion
- U.S. Ethnic and Gender Studies
- Contemporary World Issues
- Business Law
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Hospitality
- Office Procedures
- Accounting
- Introduction to Business
- Business Management
- Business Computer Applications
- Community Service
- Business and Applied English
- Public Speaking
- Music History and Appreciation
- Art Appreciation
- Introduction to Communication
- Health Education
- Community Health
- Biology
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Chemistry
Undergraduate special
Some schools may require you to complete prerequisite courses in the following subjects before entering the program:
-
General Biology
General Chemistry
Math
Typical course work
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
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. However, they typically include completion of an accredited funeral services and mortuary science program, a one-year apprenticeship, and an exam. You also usually 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.
Similar fields of study
- Business Management and Administration
- Cosmetology and Hair Design
- Law
- Marriage and Family Counseling
Careers you may qualify for
Embalmers
Funeral Attendants
Funeral Directors
Resources
American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE)
http://www.abfse.org/
Click on an area of interest.
National Funeral Directors Association
http://www.nfda.org
Click on an area of interest.
Schools that offer program
Click on the school name to see a list of their programs related to this field of study.
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
- Minneapolis
, Located in Metro
