We’ve all lost someone close to us, either a long-time friend or family member, leaving us with unbearable pain and a huge hole in our heart. To top it all off, we may be the one who must make arrangements for our loved one’s final resting place. This huge responsibility often includes adhering to their final wishes, arranging a funeral or memorial service, and handling the cemetery burial or cremation. Who can you turn to for help? In this difficult time, your local Funeral Director, Mortician, or Funeral Planner can help you navigate through the end-life decisions that your loved one deserves.
If you have a true love for helping people in their time of need, a career as a Funeral Director is for you. With a caring heart, you can ease the pain and stress for the bereaved through your expertise in the field of Mortuary Science and Funeral Direction. With either focus, you can care for those who have passed away, as well as the living who are left to carry on.
At OnlineSchoolsCenter.com, we strive to bring you the most up-to-date information on schools that offer degree programs steeped rich in the academics needed for a career as a Funeral Director, Mortician, or Funeral Planner. Here, the highlighted schools are listed in random order and offer varying degrees of academic levels to fit everyone’s needs. Important factors to consider include:
- Offers programs that can be completed 100% online or through a hybrid format,
- Instructed by competent professionals in the field of Funeral Direction or Management,
- Can be completed within a reasonable timeframe, depending on the chosen program,
- Provides comprehensive courses related to all related topics regarding Funeral Planning and Direction,
- Properly Accredited,
- Provides Financial Aid options,
- Depending on the program, will prepare graduates for licensure.
To learn more, see our Methodology page.
Wayne State University
Online BS in Mortuary Science Degree
Program Standouts: Wayne State University’s online BS in Mortuary Science degree program will prepare students for licensing in their state. To gain valuable experience, you may elect to participate at a local funeral home in your community. This program may be completed online or through a hybrid learning format.
Campus Location: Detroit, MI
Accreditation: American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE)
Admission Requirements: To apply, you will need to complete an application, along with the $25 non-refundable application fee. You will also need to show transcripts of 64 credits in General Education and Prerequisite coursework, with a minimum of 2.50 GPA. Please see the school website for admission details.
Sample Courses:
- Funeral Directing
- Embalming
- Funeral Service Marketing & Merchandising
- Psychology of Death & Dying
- Anatomy for Mortuary Science
Degree Outcomes: Wayne State University graduates are confident in their skills and knowledge upon completing their Bachelor’s degree in the field of Mortuary Science, without a doubt. You will be proficient in ethical conduct, laws and regulations, public health and safety, and grief bereavement. You will also be knowledgeable about the business aspects of managing a funeral home, how to plan services, as well as embalming techniques and proper handling of the deceased.
LEARN MORE ABOUT WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MORTUARY SCIENCE DEGREE PROGRAM.
Southern Illinois University School of Health Sciences
Online Mortuary Science & Funeral Service Degree Completion Program
Program Standouts: Southern Illinois University’s School of Health Sciences offers a completion program on the topic of Mortuary Science and Funeral Service. The degree program is offered entirely online. If you are a working professional (as a Funeral Director or Embalmer) and own an associate degree in this field, this program is for you… if you are interested in earning your bachelor’s degree. Depending on your dedication, you can complete your program in two years.
Campus Location: Carbondale, IL
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Admission Requirements: To apply, you must have previously earned your AAS degree in Mortuary Science and Funeral Service. Please complete an online application and submit your $40 application fee. Previous school transcripts will be required.
Sample Courses:
- Advanced Embalming
- Color & Cosmetics
- Cremation
Degree Outcomes: Through this Online Mortuary Science & Funeral Service Degree Completion Program, you will be prepared for career advancement positions in leadership or management as a Funeral Director or Planner.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE MORTUARY SCIENCE & FUNERAL SERVICE DEGREE COMPLETION PROGRAM.
Mid-America College – Dallas Institute of Funeral Service
Online BS in Funeral Service Management
Program Standouts: If you want to be a Funeral Director, why not study from a school that specializes in this type of career? The Mid-America College/Dallas Institute of Funeral Service focuses on all related topics, designed to educate those that would like to pursue a career in the field. They offer a wide variety of affordable programs ranging from certificate programs to degree programs and concentrations. Mid-America College of Funeral Services has knowledgeable faculty and offers many convenient online program learning formats.
Campus Location: Jeffersonville, IN – Dallas, TX
Accreditation: American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE)
Admission Requirements: For the Bachelor’s degree program, you must complete and submit the online application, along with your $50 non-refundable application fee. You will also need proof of graduation from an associate degree program accredited by the ABFSE, have passed the NBE or have proof of licensure and a Funeral Director or Embalmer in the state in which you live. You will also need official transcripts from all educational institutions and a photo ID.
Sample Courses:
- Hospitality and Event Planning for Funeral Service
- Thanatology
- Intercultural Appreciation for Funeral Service
- Marketing Funeral Service
- Stress Management
Degree Outcomes: Graduates from the Mid-America/Dallas College of Funeral Service Bachelor’s degree program are offered advanced opportunities in the field of Funeral Directing or Planning.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MID-AMERICA COLLEGE’S ONLINE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE PROGRAM IN FUNERAL SERVICE MANAGEMENT.
Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service
Online AAS Degree in Funeral Service
Program Standouts: At the Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service, you can expect a top-notch online AAS degree program in the topic of Funeral Service. This program will take approximately 12 – 15 months to complete, depending on the status of your general education classwork. If you are an online student, you will be expected to attend in-person for lab coursework.
Campus Location: Houston, TX
Accreditation: American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE)
Admission Requirements: Please submit your non-refundable $50 application fee and completed application, in addition to, your official high school or GED transcripts.
Sample Courses:
- Mortuary Administration
- Funeral Directing
- Forensic Pathology
- Funeral Merchandising
Degree Outcomes: Graduates from the Associate of Applied Science in Funeral Service degree program from the Commonwealth Institute in Funeral Service can expect to learn the skills needed to excel in the restorative and embalming process, conduct funeral ceremonies, and interact appropriately with grieving families. You will also be proficient in administrative practices, workplace communication, ethical issues, and the legalities of running a funeral home establishment, plus much more. To graduate, you will need to pass the National Board Exam.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COMMONWEALTH INSTITUTE’S ONLINE AAS IN FUNERAL SERVICE DEGREE PROGRAM.
What do Funeral Directors and Planners do?
The hats of a Funeral Director or Planner are many; however, in a management position, your job responsibilities may include overseeing the collection of the deceased, embalming and preparing the body for viewing or for the cremation process if desired.
Perhaps just as important as working with the deceased is the ability to comfort friends and families who are often distraught and unsure of what to do next. The Funeral Director provides valuable information in planning a memorial service, selecting the right casket and attire, as well as, providing hair care and manicure services.
Administrative duties, such as filing death certificates with state officials, constructing obituaries and other legal requirements are completed through the Funeral Director’s office. They also work closely with life insurance companies to obtain payment for services. They schedule times for visitations and services. Also, you can expect to schedule transport and escort services, as well as provide support group information for the bereaved. Funeral Directors must be proficient in various religions and cultures in order to provide the correct type of clergy for the service.
What type of education do I need to be a Funeral Director?
Your education as a Funeral Director will greatly depend on the requirements of your employer. A certification program may be all that is required or at least an associate degree in mortuary science or funeral direction. Some funeral homes require a bachelor’s degree.
As most require an associate degree, you will also be expected to acquire one to three years of supervised on-the-job training, as well as state licensure. You can expect to learn about grief counseling, ethics, and business law, along with planning funeral services, restorative techniques, and embalming. Be sure your program is properly accredited according to your needs.
How much money can I earn as a Funeral Service Manager or Funeral Director?
As of May 2018, the BLS reported that Funeral Service Managers earned $79,180 annually. The highest ten percent earned upwards of $151,680 per year. The BLS also categorizes the average wages for a Mortician, Funeral Director or Undertaker at $52,650 per year, with the highest ten percent earning $89,050 annually.
At times, you can expect long working hours, on-call at nights and on weekends, and after-hours work for scheduled visitations or services.
Do I need a license to be a Funeral Director?
If you are interested in becoming a Funeral Director, you will want to check with the state in which you will be employed to see if they require licensure. Most states do.
They will also require that you are at least 21 years of age, graduate from an ABFSE accredited degree program, pass the state exam, and have one to three years of internship experience. Continued education will also be required.
Am I prepared to be in the Funeral Services business?
Without a doubt, the Funeral Services business can be awarding to those with a true desire to assist those who need comforting in their time of need. But let’s not forget about the one doing the comforting. As a Funeral Director, dealing with grieving family members and friends will be stressful and demanding. Handling the subject of constant death can be depressing; therefore, taking care of your own emotional health is just as important as taking care of others.
Funeral Directors must be reliable, organized, attentive to details, service-oriented, and reverent. They must be empathetic and emotionally strong for others, as well.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi