Two-year mortuary science programs, resulting in an associate degree, are available at some trade schools and community colleges and make up the majority of accredited programs. A few colleges and universities offer both two-year associate degree programs and four-year bachelor's degree programs. Mortuary science students take courses in subjects such as embalming, forensic pathology, funeral service law, business management and grief counseling. They study funeral customs, types of caskets and burial vaults and regulations related to funeral services.
Some states require an apprenticeship, which means working with a licensed funeral director to gain practical experience. The length of an apprenticeship, from one to three years, depends on state regulations. The timing of it -- whether it is before attending school, during school or after graduation -- also depends on state regulations. Continuing education is available for funeral directors and is a requirement for maintaining a license in some states.
In every state, funeral directors must obtain a license, but the specific requirements differ from one state to another. In addition to passing an examination, applicants in most states need two years of education, including mortuary science, and an apprenticeship. The examination, which varies according to state regulations, may include a demonstration of skills, as well as written and oral tests. In some states a funeral director must also be a licensed embalmer.
Although the most common profession for mortuary college graduates is funeral director, there are other options. For example, a coroner, embalmer and one who performs cremations deal directly with the bodies. Grief counselors, on the other hand, communicate with family members of the deceased. Some jobs relate to the business of running a funeral home, such as a funeral home product salesperson and funeral home manager.