You must consider a number of factors when choosing the best school for funeral directors, including program lengths, accreditation, and apprenticeship opportunities. For mortuary science, schools in the United States must follow national standards. In addition, the program should include courses in grief counseling and business management as optional courses.
The best funeral director schools usually have two or four-year programs. To become a licensed funeral director in the United States, each state has its own requirements. Students in the United States should check the required program length with their state of residence; if you complete a program that is the wrong length, you will not be able to apply for a license to practice as a funeral director. A funeral director school should be well-versed in the licensing requirements of its state. School counselors and advisors should inform each incoming student of all requirements.
You should check the accreditation of a funeral director school in the United States with the US Department of Education before enrolling. Each school must be accredited as an official mortuary science educator, which ensures that all courses follow the same curriculum. Unaccredited schools will not be able to provide the necessary education for state licensing.
During the course of the program, a good school for funeral directors will provide an apprenticeship. To gain hands-on experience, the apprenticeship usually entails working at a local mortuary. You’ll help the funeral director with embalming procedures and work with bereaved families to plan funerals. Working with grieving family and friends will give you a new perspective on funeral directing; you will see the human side of the profession.
Grief counseling should be included in a school’s curriculum for funeral directors. Death and grief must be handled with care, and a funeral director must show compassion in addition to providing services. Classes on death and people’s reactions to it will help you understand the perspective of the clients as they enter the funeral home.
Funeral directing also entails running a business. A good school will offer business classes to assist you in budgeting and determining pricing structures for basic funeral services like wakes and burials. You should look for a school that emphasizes ethical business practices as well as proper funeral procedures.
Another important school feature is exam preparation assistance. Each funeral director in the United States must pass an examination. Look for a school that provides exam preparation classes. Typically, these courses will cover exam test formats and even conduct practice tests to help students relax before taking the real test.