How Many Years Do You Have to Go to School to Be a Mortician?
How many years do you have to go to school to be a mortician?
To become a mortician, you need to earn an associate degree or bachelor’s degree in mortuary science from an accredited funeral service program. You can also find degree programs at local community colleges and technical schools. Some schools offer online options.
In most states, you must complete an accredited mortuary science program before becoming licensed as a funeral director. You must also pass a state or national board exam to obtain your license.
A mortician’s career is filled with challenges and responsibilities, but it’s also a rewarding one. It offers a high salary, great benefits and excellent growth potential. In this field, you can help grieving families through difficult times by providing them with a professional and compassionate service.
As a mortician, you work directly with families to plan funerals and memorial services. This includes discussing what type of burial or cremation is best for a decedent’s wishes, helping them choose a casket or urn, suggesting clergy or pallbearers, embalming the body and recommending grief counseling if needed.
Most morticians are on-call, which means they may have to respond to emergency calls at any time of day or night. They also commonly work overtime, as they often have to respond to unexpected deaths during the week or holidays.
Some morticians also handle the business aspects of their home, including scheduling and accounting. They may also be self-employed and operate their own funeral homes.
A career as a mortician can be fulfilling and rewarding, but you need to prepare for a lot of hard work and long hours. You must learn to handle stressful situations and manage your time efficiently so you can provide a quality service for your clients.
You’ll need to be able to deal with people at all levels of the organization and communicate effectively with them. Taking courses on death and funeral services, embalming, grief counseling, business law and more can help you develop the skills you need to perform your job well.
There are 57 accredited mortuary science programs across the United States, and most take two years to complete. Most programs result in an associate’s degree, though some also offer bachelor’s degrees.
Upon graduation from a mortuary science program, you must complete an apprenticeship or internship. These opportunities can last between one and three years, and most school systems will provide assistance to students in finding an apprenticeship.
The funeral industry is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, which will create more jobs for new graduates. You can use your degree to find employment at funeral homes, cemeteries and other locations where you will help families during their most difficult times.
In addition to preparing for your interview, make sure you have prepared a thorough resume that highlights your education and previous experience. This will help you land your dream job and ensure you get the most out of the education you’ve invested in.
