"Serving the living while caring for the dead."

Funeral service professionals are individuals who:

• Are interested in helping the bereaved through difficult times
• Are interested in the human aspect of the biological sciences
• Are interested in their community and the individuals who live there
• Want to work in a professional and ethical business environment

Today's student preparing for a career in funeral service is immersed in courses in three broad areas:

• The traditional technical focus, including embalming, restorative art and related sciences
• A business management focus to begin preparation for ownership and management
• A social science focus in which grief psychology and bereavement counseling form a major component

FOR MORE INFORMATION

If you are considering entering the funeral service profession, we recommend that you visit the web sites of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) and the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE).                      

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

You can also find out more about the professional training available throughout the country by clicking here to go to the listing of Accredited Mortuary Schools.

GETTING LICENSED

It is also a good idea to contact the state in which you wish to practice early on in your career training. Click here to go to the listing of State Regulatory Agencies, or review our State Regulations in Licensing overview.