Funeral Service is a Rewarding Career

If you are compassionate, sensitive to the needs and emotions of others and have a strong desire to help people, then becoming a funeral director might be an excellent career choice for you. There is always a need for well trained, qualified funeral service professionals.

There are emotional and spiritual rewards for those who choose funeral service as a career as well as approval from the community. According to a recent Gallop Poll of consumers, funeral directors are ranked among the top ten most trusted professionals.

In general, an individual who wishes to become a funeral director must complete a two year course of collegiate-level study in funeral service consisting of at least 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits in an educational institution approved by the New York State Department of Health or by a recognized accrediting agency.

There's a mandated course of study in mortuary arts and sciences which covers such subjects as embalming, restorative art, anatomy, chemistry, microbiology, pathology, and personal and public health biology practices. The other area of study is funeral service education which addresses funeral service orientation, funeral counseling, funeral directing, funeral home management, funeral home accounting and business and mortuary law.

In addition, the particular institution will also require certain electives to be completed as part of the course of study. In some cases, scholarships are available for those who qualify.

Upon fulfilling these academic requirements, a twelve month residency must be satisfactorily completed. After that, those interested in being licensed as a New York State funeral director must pass an examination prepared or approved by the  Department of Health to determine knowledge and fitness before he or she can operate as a funeral director.

In addition to the funeral directing examination, the applicant must also pass an examination on New York State laws, rules and regulations relating to funeral directing before a license can be issued. As of June 30, 2002 a new State law will require funeral directors operating in New York State to complete an additional twelve hours of continuing education instruction every two years to ensure that they remain current with new developments in funeral service.

If you are considering a career in funeral service, I recommend that you speak with several funeral directors in your neighborhood who will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Check out the New York State Funeral Directors Association's Website for more information including the names and locations of educational institutions that offer courses in mortuary sciences: www.nysfda.org. This site also posts a "Job Corner" that lists both full and part-time funeral service career opportunities.

For additional information on funeral service as a career, contact the: American Board of Funeral Service Education, 38 Florida Avenue, Portland, ME 04103; telephone 207-878-6530 or email: gconnic1@maine.rr.com.

Funeral service is a career choice that appeals to men and women alike. In fact, more and more women are entering funeral service. It is an honorable and vital profession that provides a needed service, which comes at one of the most difficult times in a person's life. Families rely on funeral directors for quiet support during times of emotional stress and advice on end-of-life issues.

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