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Crystal
Student
Long Beach, California
1
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For those who majored in mortuary science, what is something to keep in mind?
I am currently a junior but I would like to prepare as best as I can since I've decided long ago what I would study.
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3 answers
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1180
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Crystal !
I would be happy to give you some advice since I have had five funeral directors in my family at one time. I am not one, however. You have chosen a very rewarding and needed profession and I support you all the way !
You said "majoring" and that you're a student so I will assume that you are already in college for a bachelors degree. Great path to take for this. I would advise getting a degree from college and than going to Funeral Directing School. If there are any funeral directing schools which is a total focus on all aspects of funeral directing, I would suggest that. I am seeing now that colleges have now made it a major. But you're taking a great path for this.
I would suggest contacting some of the funeral homes and cemeteries around you for tours. There's a chance you may not be able to tour the embalming rooms or crematoriums but ask anyway. Explain that you are going into this career and it would be good for you to get a hands on experience and become familiar with the possible places you may work. It's also a good idea to do this for developing contacts for when you look for work. They will remember you and that may be to your benefit when it comes to them hiring.
A large part of funeral directing is interacting with city agencies so become familiar with the paperwork you'll be required to do as a funeral director. You might be able to shadow a funeral director when they visit the city offices and they can explain different paperwork to you. A large part of the work is interacting with grieving families and you will see everything on the scale of emotion so a good course in Grief in an academic setting would be very helpful. Every family is different and it is important to learn how to individualize the service to the family's requests.
Consider learning about alternative services, too, like Burials At Sea, Pods and other new forms of final services. You can do a search on line for these to learn more. There is a lot to learn and you will become an expert and one day be a mentor for other aspiring funeral directors. It is perfectly fine to be outgoing and expressive as a funeral director and your service to people will depend on what they need at the time.
After you graduate, think about whether or not you may want your own funeral home eventually. All of the funeral directors I knew had their own. After working for someone else, you will learn it so well that you can than eventually be the owner of your own service. Just something to think about for the long term.
I wish you all the best and hope that this was helpful !
LONG BEACH FUNERAL HOMES TO TOUR https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Funeral+Homes&find_loc=Long+Beach,+CA
I would be happy to give you some advice since I have had five funeral directors in my family at one time. I am not one, however. You have chosen a very rewarding and needed profession and I support you all the way !
You said "majoring" and that you're a student so I will assume that you are already in college for a bachelors degree. Great path to take for this. I would advise getting a degree from college and than going to Funeral Directing School. If there are any funeral directing schools which is a total focus on all aspects of funeral directing, I would suggest that. I am seeing now that colleges have now made it a major. But you're taking a great path for this.
I would suggest contacting some of the funeral homes and cemeteries around you for tours. There's a chance you may not be able to tour the embalming rooms or crematoriums but ask anyway. Explain that you are going into this career and it would be good for you to get a hands on experience and become familiar with the possible places you may work. It's also a good idea to do this for developing contacts for when you look for work. They will remember you and that may be to your benefit when it comes to them hiring.
A large part of funeral directing is interacting with city agencies so become familiar with the paperwork you'll be required to do as a funeral director. You might be able to shadow a funeral director when they visit the city offices and they can explain different paperwork to you. A large part of the work is interacting with grieving families and you will see everything on the scale of emotion so a good course in Grief in an academic setting would be very helpful. Every family is different and it is important to learn how to individualize the service to the family's requests.
Consider learning about alternative services, too, like Burials At Sea, Pods and other new forms of final services. You can do a search on line for these to learn more. There is a lot to learn and you will become an expert and one day be a mentor for other aspiring funeral directors. It is perfectly fine to be outgoing and expressive as a funeral director and your service to people will depend on what they need at the time.
After you graduate, think about whether or not you may want your own funeral home eventually. All of the funeral directors I knew had their own. After working for someone else, you will learn it so well that you can than eventually be the owner of your own service. Just something to think about for the long term.
I wish you all the best and hope that this was helpful !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Thank you, Michelle!
Crystal
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
3824
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Crystal,
Preparing for a Major in Mortuary Science
As a junior preparing to major in mortuary science, it is essential to keep in mind several key aspects that will help you succeed in your academic journey and future career. Here are some points to consider:
Understanding the profession: Mortuary science is a specialized field that involves the care and preparation of deceased individuals for burial, cremation, or other forms of final disposition. It is crucial to have a clear understanding of the profession, its ethical considerations, and the responsibilities that come with it.
Course requirements: Research the specific course requirements for your chosen mortuary science program, including prerequisites, core subjects, and elective options. Ensure that you meet these requirements and plan your coursework accordingly.
Hands-on experience: Mortuary science is a hands-on field, so gaining practical experience is essential. Seek out internships, externships, or part-time positions in funeral homes, mortuaries, or related facilities to build your skills and knowledge.
Networking: Building relationships with professionals in the field is vital for your future career. Attend industry conferences, workshops, and networking events to meet and connect with experienced morticians, funeral directors, and other industry professionals.
Continuing education: The mortuary science field is constantly evolving, with new techniques, technologies, and regulations emerging. Stay up-to-date by participating in continuing education courses, attending workshops, and keeping abreast of industry news and trends.
Emotional resilience: Working in mortuary science can be emotionally challenging, as you will be exposed to grief and loss on a regular basis. Developing emotional resilience and coping strategies will help you navigate these challenges and maintain your mental well-being.
Professional certification: Upon completion of your degree, consider pursuing professional certification, such as the Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) or the Certified Crematory Operator (CCO) designations. These certifications can enhance your credibility and employment prospects.
In conclusion, preparing for a major in mortuary science involves understanding the profession, meeting course requirements, gaining hands-on experience, networking, continuing education, developing emotional resilience, and pursuing professional certification. By considering these factors, you can ensure a successful academic journey and a rewarding career in the field of mortuary science.
Authoritative Reference Titles
National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) - The NFDA is a professional association dedicated to supporting funeral service professionals. Their website provides valuable resources, including educational materials, industry news, and career guidance.
International Conference on Mortuary Archaeology (ICMA) - ICMA is a biennial conference that brings together researchers, professionals, and students in the field of mortuary archaeology. Attending or presenting at ICMA can help you stay informed about the latest research and developments in the field.
Association of Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) - ADEC is a professional organization focused on promoting research, education, and counseling related to death, dying, and grief. Their resources and conferences can provide valuable insights into the emotional aspects of working in mortuary science.
Preparing for a Major in Mortuary Science
As a junior preparing to major in mortuary science, it is essential to keep in mind several key aspects that will help you succeed in your academic journey and future career. Here are some points to consider:
Understanding the profession: Mortuary science is a specialized field that involves the care and preparation of deceased individuals for burial, cremation, or other forms of final disposition. It is crucial to have a clear understanding of the profession, its ethical considerations, and the responsibilities that come with it.
Course requirements: Research the specific course requirements for your chosen mortuary science program, including prerequisites, core subjects, and elective options. Ensure that you meet these requirements and plan your coursework accordingly.
Hands-on experience: Mortuary science is a hands-on field, so gaining practical experience is essential. Seek out internships, externships, or part-time positions in funeral homes, mortuaries, or related facilities to build your skills and knowledge.
Networking: Building relationships with professionals in the field is vital for your future career. Attend industry conferences, workshops, and networking events to meet and connect with experienced morticians, funeral directors, and other industry professionals.
Continuing education: The mortuary science field is constantly evolving, with new techniques, technologies, and regulations emerging. Stay up-to-date by participating in continuing education courses, attending workshops, and keeping abreast of industry news and trends.
Emotional resilience: Working in mortuary science can be emotionally challenging, as you will be exposed to grief and loss on a regular basis. Developing emotional resilience and coping strategies will help you navigate these challenges and maintain your mental well-being.
Professional certification: Upon completion of your degree, consider pursuing professional certification, such as the Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) or the Certified Crematory Operator (CCO) designations. These certifications can enhance your credibility and employment prospects.
In conclusion, preparing for a major in mortuary science involves understanding the profession, meeting course requirements, gaining hands-on experience, networking, continuing education, developing emotional resilience, and pursuing professional certification. By considering these factors, you can ensure a successful academic journey and a rewarding career in the field of mortuary science.
Authoritative Reference Titles
National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) - The NFDA is a professional association dedicated to supporting funeral service professionals. Their website provides valuable resources, including educational materials, industry news, and career guidance.
International Conference on Mortuary Archaeology (ICMA) - ICMA is a biennial conference that brings together researchers, professionals, and students in the field of mortuary archaeology. Attending or presenting at ICMA can help you stay informed about the latest research and developments in the field.
Association of Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) - ADEC is a professional organization focused on promoting research, education, and counseling related to death, dying, and grief. Their resources and conferences can provide valuable insights into the emotional aspects of working in mortuary science.
Thank you for the response and references. I've already looked into programs, their requirements, and so on. I'll do my best to network and stay on top of the community.
Crystal
Amber L Sedillo
Customer service
2
Answers
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Updated
Amber L’s Answer
Hi there,
I have my Assosicates degree in Applied Science for "mortuary science." I would suggest looking up what your state requires to get your liscense. Each state has its own laws on what it requires to get your liscense. I live in New Mexico, we did not have a school for mortuary science here so I had to go to Arizona for two years to pursue my degree. I would recommend finding a funeral science compendium and studying it. This book has questions that will be asked on the National Board Exam. One section is for Arts and second section is for Sciences. You have to pass both sections to get your license.
I would recommend taking classes in high school that relate to this field. Like Biology, Microbiolgy, Chemistry, Psychology, Cosmetology, Business classes and World Religions classes. These will help you prepare for college classes while pursuing your degree.
Even though I have my degree and did pass both sections of the National Boards I am not currently working in the field. When I moved back to New Mexico all of the funeral homes in my area advised that they did not need a funeral director or embalmer at the time. I was turned down over and over which can happen because some of these businesses are still family owned. This field is also about networking and I would recommend talking to some funeral homes in your area before getting your degree to see if you can volunteer or atleast get your foot in the door. When I was in school the my class was mainly made up of women, which was pretty exciting. The industry which has always predominantly male ran was now changing and more women were having an interest in the field. This field can be exhausting mentally and physically. There are some cases or embalmings I still think about. There can be a high burn out rate in this field as well. So I would differently recommend a good work life balance and possibly therpay if needed.
I hope this is helpful. I also knew this is something I wanted to pursue when I was a junior in high school. I wish you the best and don't give up on pursuing a field that you have an interest in!
-Amber
I have my Assosicates degree in Applied Science for "mortuary science." I would suggest looking up what your state requires to get your liscense. Each state has its own laws on what it requires to get your liscense. I live in New Mexico, we did not have a school for mortuary science here so I had to go to Arizona for two years to pursue my degree. I would recommend finding a funeral science compendium and studying it. This book has questions that will be asked on the National Board Exam. One section is for Arts and second section is for Sciences. You have to pass both sections to get your license.
I would recommend taking classes in high school that relate to this field. Like Biology, Microbiolgy, Chemistry, Psychology, Cosmetology, Business classes and World Religions classes. These will help you prepare for college classes while pursuing your degree.
Even though I have my degree and did pass both sections of the National Boards I am not currently working in the field. When I moved back to New Mexico all of the funeral homes in my area advised that they did not need a funeral director or embalmer at the time. I was turned down over and over which can happen because some of these businesses are still family owned. This field is also about networking and I would recommend talking to some funeral homes in your area before getting your degree to see if you can volunteer or atleast get your foot in the door. When I was in school the my class was mainly made up of women, which was pretty exciting. The industry which has always predominantly male ran was now changing and more women were having an interest in the field. This field can be exhausting mentally and physically. There are some cases or embalmings I still think about. There can be a high burn out rate in this field as well. So I would differently recommend a good work life balance and possibly therpay if needed.
I hope this is helpful. I also knew this is something I wanted to pursue when I was a junior in high school. I wish you the best and don't give up on pursuing a field that you have an interest in!
-Amber
Thanks for the help.
Crystal