So you want to become a funeral director? There are lots of things you should know about this calling, one of the most important being that this is a unique and fulfilling career choice. You will need a combination of organisational skills, compassion, and an innate ability to offer support to grieving families as they face difficult moments.
You will have the noble task of lightening the load for the bereaved ones so they don’t have to worry about plans or logistics. So, then, how do you get into this career?
1. First, You Need to Acquire the Right Education
The basic step you will need to complete will be completing the minimum education requirements, which in this case is an associate degree. Your course will typically contain topics like professional ethics, microbiology, anatomy, chemistry, embalming, pathology, mortuary law, restorative art, federal regulations, grief counselling and more.
You also have to take a specialised course to become a funeral director. Bear in mind that the program you enrol in has to be accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE). That’s in consideration that you have to be accredited before acquiring your licence in most states
It’s highly recommended to take a well-structured Online Funeral Director Certificate course from a reputable provider like RocketCert. This assures you that you are not only taking the right topics but also getting all the assistance you need to succeed in your career even after completing your education.
If you are planning to start your business in this field, you want to consider taking the right business courses.
2. Complete an Apprenticeship
After completing your education, the ABFSE expect you to practise the knowledge from your course and acquire practical skills through an apprenticeship program. This step can take you anywhere from one to three years. Keep in mind that you may be able to complete this step as you take your formal education depending on the state you are in and your schedule.
3. Obtain Licensure
After completing your licence and apprenticeship, it’s time to obtain your licence officially. You will have to take a licensing exam that will most likely be administered by your state’s licensing board. The basic requirement for this step is to be 21 years or older by the scheduled exam date.
Your exam will cover a range of topics such as psychology, business law, pathology, microbiology, embalming & anatomy, funeral service history, restorative art, and more. The same course providers who offer specialised courses will often have additional material to help you prepare for your exam. So, practise as much as you can to increase your chances of success.
It’s also important to keep in mind that the funeral director and embalming licences are often issued separately depending on your state.
4. Maintain Your Licence
Acquiring your licence is not the end of the journey for a funeral director. You will have to continue your educational journey by taking regular continuing education (CE) courses. Though this licence renewal requirement doesn’t spread across all states in the country, it’s crucial to continue your education either way since that will help you remain updated on the best practices.
Not only that, but CE courses always equip you with new knowledge that you can use to serve your clients better.
Fast-Track Your Journey to Licensing
Now that you know what you need to do to become a funeral director, what’s your next step? If you ask us, the logical step after this would be to start shopping for your education provider. RocketCert is one of the best options you have if you don’t want to take chances. They have a team of expert tutors who write your course content and narrate it fully to make your work easier.
But don’t take our word for it. Head over to rocketcert.com to see for yourself.