Before You Embalm, You’ve Got to Enroll.

The Mortuary Science & Funeral Service Schools Information Hub

If you’re considering a career in funeral service or mortuary science, choosing the right school is one of the most important steps you can take. This page offers a comprehensive, state-by-state directory of accredited programs to help you find the education path that fits your goals. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance your credentials, you’ll find trusted institutions that meet national standards and prepare you for meaningful work supporting families during life’s most sensitive moments.

Careers in End of Life Professions

Table of Contents

How to Choose a Funeral Service Program

Not all programs are created equal, and in a field this personal, the right fit matters. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you explore your options.

Accreditation (ABFSE)

Choose a program accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE). It’s the only recognized accreditor in the U.S. for funeral service and mortuary science education. ABFSE-accredited programs meet national standards and are often required for licensure in many states.

Online vs. In-Person Programs

Some programs offer online learning for general education or theory-based coursework, but hands-on training in embalming, restorative art, and funeral directing usually requires in-person attendance. Make sure you understand which parts of the program require you to be on campus and what your state's licensing board accepts.

Part-Time vs. Full-Time Options

Full-time programs often move faster, while part-time options give students flexibility to work or manage other responsibilities. Not all schools offer part-time tracks, so check if that’s important for your situation.

What to Expect in a Curriculum

Most funeral service programs include classes in anatomy, embalming, restorative art, grief counseling, business law, and funeral service ethics. You'll also gain hands-on experience in labs and clinical settings. Some schools go deeper into business operations or offer pathways to a bachelor’s degree.

Programs By State

Looking for where to begin your training? Here’s a state-by-state list of accredited mortuary science and funeral service programs to help you take the next step.

Alabama

Program Name: Jefferson State Community College – Funeral Service Education Program

Arizona

Program Name: Chandler-Gilbert Community College – Mortuary Science Program

  • Address: 7440 East Tahoe Avenue, Mesa, AZ 85212

  • Program Director: Donna Backhaus

  • Phone: (480) 988-8503

  • Email: donna.backhaus@cgc.edu

  • Fax: (480) 988-8520

  • Website: cgc.edu – Mortuary Science Program

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Associate of Applied Science

  • Distance Education: Yes (First year, General Education only)

  • Part-Time Option Available: No

Arkansas

Program Name: University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana – Funeral Service Program

  • Address: P.O. Box 140, Hope, AR 71802

  • Program Director: Brad Sheppard

  • Phone: (870) 722-8523

  • Email: brad.sheppard@uaht.edu

  • Fax: (870) 722-8511

  • Website: uaht.edu – Funeral Service Program

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Associate of Applied Science

  • Distance Education: Yes

  • Part-Time Option Available: No

Program Name: Arkansas State University – Mountain Home – Funeral Science Program

  • Address: 1600 South College Street, Mountain Home, AR 72653

  • Program Director: Jeffrey Hicks

  • Phone: (870) 508-6164

  • Email: jhicks@asumh.edu

  • Website: funeralscience.com

  • Distance Education: Yes (selected Arkansas locations only)

  • Part-Time Option Available: No

California

Program Name: American River College – Funeral Service Education

Program Name: Cypress College – Mortuary Science Department

Colorado

Program Name: Arapahoe Community College – Mortuary Science Program

Connecticut

Program Name: Goodwin University – Funeral Service Program

  • Address: One Riverside Drive, Building: 417 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06118

  • Program Director: Jesse M. Gomes

  • Phone: (860) 913-2189

  • Email: jgomes@goodwin.edu

  • Website: goodwin.edu – Funeral Service Program

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Associate in Science

  • Distance Education: No

  • Part-Time Option Available: No

District of Columbia

  • Program Name: University of the District of Columbia Community College – Mortuary Science Program

  • Address: 5171 South Dakota Avenue NE, Office 126, Washington, DC 20017

  • Program Director: John Kirksey

  • Phone: (202) 274-5651

  • Email: john.kirksey@udc.edu

  • Website: udc.edu – Mortuary Science Program

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Associate of Applied Science

  • Distance Education: No

  • Part-Time Option Available: No

Florida

Program Name: Florida State College at Jacksonville – Funeral Service Program

  • Address: 4501 Capper Road, Jacksonville, FL 32218

  • Program Director: Howard Beckham

  • Phone: (904) 766-6622

  • Email: howard.beckham@fscj.edu

  • Fax: (904) 766-5573

  • Website: fscj.edu – Funeral Services Program

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Associate in Science

  • Distance Education: Yes

  • Part-Time Option Available: No

Program Name: Miami Dade College – Funeral Service Education Program

  • Address: 11380 N.W. 27th Avenue, Miami, FL 33167

  • Program Coordinator: Tanya Scotece

  • Phone: (305) 237-1244

  • Email: tscotece@mdc.edu

  • Fax: (305) 237-8082

  • Website: mdc.edu – Funeral Services Program

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Associate in Science

  • Distance Education: No

  • Part-Time Option Available: Yes

Program Name: St. Petersburg College – Funeral Services Program

Georgia

Program Name: Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service

  • Address: 5141 Snapfinger Woods Drive, Decatur, GA 30035

  • Program Director: Khadijah McDaniel

  • Phone: (470) 574-4236

  • Email: kmcdaniel@pierce.edu

  • Fax: (770) 593-1891

  • Website: gupton-jones.edu

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Associate of Applied Science (AAS); Associate of Science (in teach-out status)

  • Distance Education: Yes

  • Part-Time Option Available: Yes

Program Name: Columbus Technical College – Funeral Service Education

Program Name: Ogeechee Technical College – Funeral Service Education

  • Address: One Joseph E. Kennedy Boulevard, Statesboro, GA 30458

  • Program Director: Michele F. Rupar

  • Phone: (800) 646-1316 or (912) 681-5500

  • Email: mrupar@ogeecheetech.edu

  • Fax: (912) 486-7604

  • Website: ogeecheetech.edu – Funeral Service Education

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Associate of Applied Science

  • Distance Education: Yes (Less than 50%)

  • Part-Time Option Available: Yes

Illinois

Program Name: Carl Sandburg College – Mortuary Science Program

  • Address: 2400 Tom L. Wilson Boulevard, Galesburg, IL 61401

  • Program Coordinator: Timothy J. Krause

  • Phone: (309) 345-8501

  • Email: tkrause@sandburg.edu

  • Fax: (309) 341-1040

  • Website: sandburg.edu – Mortuary Science Program

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Associate of Applied Science

  • Distance Education: No

  • Part-Time Option Available: No

Program Name: Malcolm X College – Mortuary Science Program

  • Address: 1900 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60612

  • Program Director: Tionya Spriggs

  • Phone: (312) 850-7214

  • Email: tspriggs1@ccc.edu

  • Fax: (312) 850-7453

  • Website: ccc.edu – Mortuary Science Program

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Associate in Applied Science

  • Distance Education: Yes (General Education only)

  • Part-Time Option Available: No

Program Name: Southern Illinois University – Mortuary Science and Funeral Service

  • Address: 1365 Douglas Drive, Mail Code 6615, Carbondale, IL 62901

  • Program Director: Anthony T. Fleege

  • Phone: (618) 453-5698

  • Email: splash@siu.edu

  • Fax: (618) 453-7020

  • Website: siu.edu – Mortuary Science and Funeral Service Program

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Bachelor of Science

  • Distance Education: For degree completion only

  • Part-Time Option Available: Yes

Program Name: Worsham College of Mortuary Science

  • Address: 495 Northgate Parkway, Wheeling, IL 60090

  • Program Director: Leili A. McMurrough

  • Phone: (847) 808-8444

  • Email: lmcmurrough@worsham.edu

  • Fax: (847) 808-8493

  • Website: worsham.edu – Associate Degree in Mortuary Science

  • Accredited Degree Offered:

    • Associate of Science Degree

    • Associate of Applied Science Degree and Diploma (both in teach-out)

  • Distance Education: Yes

  • Part-Time Option Available: No

Indiana

Program Name: Ivy Tech Community College – Central Indiana – Mortuary Science Program

  • Address: 9301 E. 59th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46216

  • Program Director: Jonathon DeHart

  • Phone: (317) 921-4325

  • Email: jdehart13@ivytech.edu

  • Fax: (317) 916-7608

  • Website: ivytech.edu – Mortuary Science Program

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Associate of Applied Science

  • Distance Education: No

  • Part-Time Option Available: No

Program Name: Mid-America College of Funeral Service

  • Address: 3111 Hamburg Pike, Jeffersonville, IN 47130

  • Program Director & Dean: Audrina Dollar

  • Phone: (812) 288-8878

  • Email: adollar@mid-america.edu

  • Fax: (812) 288-5942

  • Website: mid-america.edu – Programs & Degrees

  • Accredited Degrees Offered: Associate of Applied Science; Funeral Service Bachelor of Science

  • Distance Education: Yes (AAS degree and BS degree completion)

  • Part-Time Option Available: Yes

Program Name: Vincennes University – Funeral Service Education Program

  • Address: 1002 North First Street, Vincennes, IN 47591

  • Program Director: Geoffrey Hodgson

  • Phone: (812) 888-5469

  • Email: ghodgson@vinu.edu

  • Fax: (812) 888-4550

  • Website: vinu.edu – Funeral Service Education Program

  • Accredited Degrees Offered: Associate of Applied Science; Associate of Science

  • Distance Education: Yes

  • Part-Time Option Available: No

Iowa

Program Name: Des Moines Area Community College – Mortuary Science Program

  • Address: 2006 South Ankeny Boulevard, Ankeny, IA 50023

  • Program Chair: Kevin E. Patterson

  • Phone: (515) 964-6244

  • Email: kepatterson@dmacc.edu

  • Fax: (515) 965-7082

  • Website: funeral.dmacc.edu

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Associate Degree and Advanced Standing Diploma

  • Distance Education: Yes

  • Part-Time Option Available: Yes

Kansas

Program Name: Kansas City Kansas Community College – Mortuary Science Department

  • Address: 7250 State Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66112

  • Program Director: Tina Belt

  • Phone: (913) 288-7607

  • Email: tbelt@kckcc.edu

  • Website: kckcc.edu – Mortuary Science Program

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Associate in Applied Science

  • Distance Education: No

  • Part-Time Option Available: No

Louisiana

Program Name: Delgado Community College – Funeral Service Education

  • Address: 615 City Park Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70119

  • Program Director: Constance S. Barrowe

  • Phone: (504) 671-6245

  • Email: cgreen@dcc.edu

  • Fax: (504) 483-4609

  • Website: dcc.edu – Funeral Service Education

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Associate in Applied Science

  • Distance Education: No

  • Part-Time Option Available: No

Maryland

Program Name: Community College of Baltimore County – Catonsville – Mortuary Science Program

  • Address: 800 South Rolling Road, Catonsville, MD 21228

  • Program Director: Diane Donaldson

  • Phone: (443) 840-4372

  • Email: ddonaldson@ccbcmd.edu

  • Fax: (443) 840-5401

  • Website: ccbcmd.edu – Mortuary Science Program

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Associate in Applied Science

  • Distance Education: Yes (General Education only)

  • Part-Time Option Available: Yes

Massachusetts

Program Name: Cape Cod Community College – Funeral Service Program

  • Location: Bridgewater State University, West Campus – Kelly Funeral Service Suite

  • Address: 34 Park Avenue, Bridgewater, MA 02325

  • Program Coordinator: Daniel C. Shea

  • Phone: (508) 375-5036

  • Email: dshea@capecod.edu

  • Fax: (508) 375-5046

  • Website: capecod.edu – Funeral Service Program

  • Degree Offered: Associate in Science

  • Distance Learning: Yes

  • Part-Time Option Available: Yes

Program Name: FINE Mortuary College – Funeral Service

  • Address: 150 Kerry Place, Norwood, MA 02062

  • Program Director: Nicole Judge

  • Phone: (781) 762-1211

  • Email: njudge@fmc.edu

  • Fax: (781) 762-7177

  • Website: fmc.edu

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Associate in Applied Science

  • Distance Education: Yes

  • Part-Time Option Available: Yes

Program Name: North Shore Community College – Funeral Service Program

Michigan

Program Name: Wayne State University – Mortuary Science Program

  • Address: 5439 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202

  • Program Director: Mark T. Evely

  • Phone: (313) 577-2050

  • Email: evely@wayne.edu

  • Fax: (313) 577-4456

  • Website: mortsci.wayne.edu

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Bachelor of Science

  • Distance Education: Yes

  • Part-Time Option Available: Yes

Minnesota

Program Name: University of Minnesota – Program of Mortuary Science

  • Address: MMC 740, 420 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455

  • Program Director: Michael P. LuBrant

  • Phone: (612) 624-6464

  • Email: mortsci@umn.edu

  • Fax: (612) 626-4163

  • Website: mortuaryscience.umn.edu

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Bachelor of Science

  • Distance Education: No

  • Part-Time Option Available: No

Mississippi

Program Name: East Mississippi Community College – Funeral Service Technology

  • Address: P.O. Box 158, Scooba, MS 39358

  • Program Director: Kevin Hurt

  • Phone: (662) 476-5100

  • Email: khurt@eastms.edu

  • Fax: (662) 476-5086

  • Website: eastms.edu – Funeral Service Technology Program

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Associate in Applied Science

  • Distance Education: Yes (General Education only)

  • Part-Time Option Available: No

Program Name: Northwest Mississippi Community College – Funeral Service Technology Program

Missouri

Program Name: St. Louis Community College at Forest Park – Funeral Service Education

  • Address: 5600 Oakland Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110

  • Program Director: David A. Coughran

  • Phone: (314) 644-9327

  • Email: dcoughran@stlcc.edu

  • Fax: (314) 951-9412

  • Website: stlcc.edu – Funeral Service Education

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Associate in Applied Science

  • Distance Education: No

  • Part-Time Option Available: No

New Jersey

Program Name: Eastwick College – Funeral Service Program

  • Address: 250 Moore Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601

  • Program Director: Kyle P. Ledford Sr., MA, CFSP

  • Phone: (201) 494-5062

  • Email: kledford@eastwick.edu

  • Fax: (201) 488-1007

  • Website: eastwick.edu – Funeral Services Program

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Associate in Applied Science

  • Distance Education: No

  • Part-Time Option Available: Yes

Program Name: Mercer County Community College – Funeral Service Curriculum

  • Address: 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, NJ 08550

  • Program Director: Geralda Aldajuste

  • Phone: (609) 570-3866

  • Email: aldajusg@mccc.edu

  • Fax: (609) 570-3878

  • Website: mccc.edu – Funeral Service Program

  • Accredited Degrees Offered: Associate of Applied Science and Certificate (3rd year)

  • Distance Education: Hybrid courses only

  • Part-Time Option Available: Yes

New York

Program Name: American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service

  • Address: 1501 Broadway, Ste. 1102, New York, NY 10036

  • President: Donald Cymbor

  • Phone: (212) 757-1190

  • Email: dcymbor@aami.edu

  • Fax: (212) 765-5923

  • Website: aami.edu

  • Degree Offered: Associate in Occupational Studies

  • Distance Education: Yes

  • Part-Time Option Available: No

Program Name: Hudson Valley Community College – Mortuary Science Department

  • Address: 80 Vandenburgh Avenue, Troy, NY 12180

  • Department Chair: Lori Q. Purcell

  • Phone: (518) 629-7334

  • Email: l.purcell@hvcc.edu

  • Fax: (518) 629-7161

  • Website: hvcc.edu – Mortuary Science Program

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Associate in Applied Science

  • Distance Education: Partial

  • Part-Time Option Available: No

Program Name: Nassau Community College – Mortuary Science Department

  • Address: 357 East Road, Garden City, NY 11530

  • Department Chair: Michael F. Mastellone

  • Phone: (516) 572-7277

  • Email: michael.mastellone@ncc.edu

  • Fax: (516) 572-0626

  • Website: ncc.edu – Mortuary Science Department

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Associate in Applied Science

  • Distance Education: Yes (Less than 50%)

  • Part-Time Option Available: No

Program Name: State University of New York at Canton – Funeral Services Administration Program

North Carolina

Program Name: Fayetteville Technical Community College – Funeral Service Education

Ohio

Program Name: Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science

  • Address: 645 W. North Bend Road, Cincinnati, OH 45224

  • Contact: Mark Ivey

  • Phone: (513) 618-1931

  • Email: mivey@ccms.edu

  • Fax: (513) 761-3333

  • Website: ccms.edu

  • Accredited Degrees Offered: Associate in Applied Science; Bachelor of Mortuary Science

  • Distance Education: No

  • Part-Time Option Available: No

Oklahoma

Program Name: University of Central Oklahoma – Funeral Service

  • Address: 100 N. University Drive, Edmond, OK 73034

  • Department Chair: John B. Fritch

  • Phone: (405) 974-5001

  • Email: jfritch@uco.edu

  • Website: uco.edu – Funeral Service Program

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Bachelor of Science; Certificate (2-year)

  • Distance Education: Yes

  • Part-Time Option Available: Yes

Oregon

Program Name: Mt. Hood Community College – Funeral Service Education

Pennsylvania

Program Name: Northampton Community College – Funeral Service Education

Program Name: Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science

  • Address: 5808 Baum Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

  • President: Barry T. Lease

  • Phone: (412) 362-8500

  • Email: info@pims.edu

  • Fax: (412) 362-1684

  • Website: pims.edu

  • Accredited Degrees Offered:

    • Associate in Specialized Technology

    • Associate in Specialized Business

    • Diploma in Embalming and Funeral Directing

  • Distance Education: Yes

  • Part-Time Option Available: Yes

South Carolina

Program Name: Piedmont Technical College – Funeral Service Education

  • Address: P.O. Box 1467, Greenwood, SC 29648

  • Program Director: Dedrick Gantt

  • Phone: (864) 941-8774

  • Email: gantt.d@ptc.edu

  • Fax: (864) 941-8306

  • Website: ptc.edu – Funeral Service AAS Program

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Associate in Applied Science

  • Distance Education: Yes (Less than 50%)

Tennessee

Program Name: John A. Gupton College – Funeral Service Programs

  • Address: 1616 Church Street, Nashville, TN 37203

  • President: B. Steven Spann

  • Phone: (615) 327-3927

  • Email: spann@guptoncollege.edu

  • Fax: (615) 321-4518

  • Website: guptoncollege.edu

  • Accredited Degrees Offered: Associate of Arts; Associate of Applied Science

  • Distance Education: Yes

  • Part-Time Option Available: Yes

Program Name: Southwest Tennessee Community College – Funeral Service Program

Texas

Program Name: Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service

  • Address: 415 Barren Springs Drive, Houston, TX 77090

  • President: Cody Lopasky

  • Phone: (281) 873-0262

  • Email: c.lopasky@commonwealth.edu

  • Fax: (281) 873-5232

  • Website: commonwealth.edu

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Associate of Applied Science

  • Distance Education: Yes

  • Part-Time Option Available: No

Program Name: Dallas Institute of Funeral Service

  • Address: 3909 S. Buckner Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75227

  • Academic Dean: Lisa Meehan

  • Phone: (214) 388-5466

  • Email: lisameehan@dallasinstitute.edu

  • Website: dallasinstitute.edu

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Associate in Applied Science

  • Distance Education: Yes

  • Part-Time Option Available: Yes

Program Name: Northeast Texas Community College – Funeral Service Education

  • Address: 2886 FM 1735, Chapel Hill Road, Mt. Pleasant, TX 75455

  • Program Director: Rebecca M.R. Gardner

  • Phone: (903) 434-8314

  • Email: rgardner@ntcc.edu

  • Website: ntcc.edu – Funeral Service Program

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Associate in Applied Science

  • Distance Education: Yes

  • Part-Time Option Available: Yes

Program Name: San Antonio College – Mortuary Science Program

Utah

Program Name: Salt Lake Community College – Mortuary Science Program

  • Address: 3491 West Wights Fort Road, West Jordan, UT 84088

  • Program Coordinator: Jeff Zealley

  • Phone: (801) 957-6206

  • Email: jeff.zealley@slcc.edu

  • Fax: (801) 957-6353

  • Website: slcc.edu – Mortuary Science Program

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Associate of Applied Science

  • Distance Education: No

  • Part-Time Option Available: No

Virginia

  • Program Name: Brightpoint Community College – Funeral Services Program (formerly John Tyler CC)

  • Address: 13101 Route 1 (formerly Jefferson Davis Hwy), Chester, VA 23831

  • Program Director: Richard Sikon

  • Phone: (804) 706-5066

  • Email: rsikon@brightpoint.edu

  • Fax: (804) 768-6624

  • Website: brightpoint.edu – Funeral Services Program

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Associate in Applied Science

  • Distance Education: Yes

Program Name: Tidewater Community College – Funeral Service Program

  • Address: 1700 College Crescent, Virginia Beach, VA 23453

  • Program Director: Joseph F. Walton

  • Phone: (757) 822-7074

  • Email: jwalton@tcc.edu

  • Fax: (757) 822-7483

  • Website: tcc.edu – Funeral Services Program

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Associate of Applied Science

  • Distance Education: No

  • Part-Time Option Available: Yes

Washington

Program Name: Lake Washington Institute of Technology – Funeral Service Education

  • Address: 11605 132nd Avenue NE, Kirkland, WA 98034

  • Interim Program Director: Jennie Fredrickson

  • Phone: (425) 739-8155

  • Fax: (425) 576-5841

  • Website: lwtech.edu – Funeral Service Program

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Associate of Applied Science

  • Distance Education: Yes

  • Part-Time Option Available: No

Wisconsin

Milwaukee Area Technical College-West Campus- Funeral Service Program

  • Program Name: Milwaukee Area Technical College – West Campus – Funeral Service Program

  • Address: 1200 South 71st Street, West Allis, WI 53214

  • Program Coordinator: Gabriel M. Schauf

  • Phone: (414) 456-5320

  • Email: schaufg@matc.edu

  • Fax: (414) 456-5441

  • Website: matc.edu – Funeral Service Program

  • Accredited Degree Offered: Associate in Applied Science

  • Distance Education: No

  • Part-Time Option Available: Yes

National Board Exam and Licensing Basics

Graduating from an accredited funeral service program is just one part of the journey. To become a licensed funeral director or embalmer in most states, you'll also need to pass the National Board Examination (NBE).

About the National Board Examination

The exam is administered by The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards, and it comes in two parts: Arts and Sciences.

Each state has its own licensing requirements, which may include additional exams, background checks, or apprenticeship hours. Some require you to pass the NBE before beginning your internship, while others allow you to take it during or after.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Funeral service education programs often offer both federal financial aid and scholarships specific to the field. Whether you're attending a community college, university, or private mortuary science school, it's worth asking about institutional aid, work-study opportunities, and payment plans.

In addition to school-based funding, there are national and regional scholarships available for students pursuing careers in funeral service, mortuary science, and other end-of-life professions. These awards can be based on academic performance, financial need, or a demonstrated commitment to serving others.

Explore current opportunities on our Scholarships for End-of-Life Professions page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still figuring out if funeral service is right for you? Here are some of the most common questions people have before they start their journey.

In most states, yes. You’ll need to complete an accredited program in funeral service or mortuary science and pass the National Board Exam. Some states may also require an apprenticeship or state-specific exam.

Many programs offer hybrid formats where general education or theory-based coursework is online, but hands-on training like embalming and restorative art still requires in-person instruction.

They’re often used interchangeably. Funeral service is the broader term that may include both funeral directing and embalming. Mortuary science typically refers to the academic program that prepares you for both roles.

Most associate degree programs take about two years of full-time study. Some schools offer part-time tracks, and a few offer bachelor’s degree options.

Not necessarily. Some people work solely as funeral directors or in administrative or pre-need roles. Licensing requirements vary by state, and some roles do not require embalming certification.

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Disclaimer: The information provided on this website and by Buried in Work is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Please consult with a qualified attorney or subject matter expert for advice specific to your situation.