Online funeral service management degree
programs offer students the fundamental skills and abilities needed to
work in the funeral service industry. Individuals interested in working
as a funeral director may find an online associate's or bachelor's
degree program in funeral service management.
Overview of Online Associate's Degree in Funeral Service Management
Online associate's degree programs in funeral service management
provide students with the fundamental training and skills necessary to
perform various funeral services. Students learn how to coordinate
funerals, embalm bodies and offer grief counseling. Coursework combines
theory with practical labs. Topics include funerals and the law,
restorative arts, anatomy and
embalming.
Students can earn an associate's degree in funeral service management
through a fixed format of online and on-campus courses. Since
coursework combines theory with practical application, associate's
degree programs in funeral service management cannot be taken solely
online. Many programs require students to perform embalming clinical
assignments at a school-approved funeral home. An online associate's
degree in funeral service management takes approximately two years to
complete.
List of Common Online Associate's-Level Funeral Service Management Courses
Students learn about the laws and precautions surrounding deceased
individuals. Instruction also includes knowledge concerning the
processing of all necessary documentation related to a death. Other
online courses may include the following:
Introduction to Funeral Services Course
This course provides an overview of the funeral service industry.
Topics covered include funeral service history, duties and
responsibilities of funeral directors, common industry practices and
career outlook.
Introduction Embalming Course
Students learn about the legal and ethical concerns of embalming. The
course also covers human death, the decomposition process and chemicals
used during the embalming process.
Mortuary Law
The online mortuary law course covers federal and state regulations,
body shipping laws and regulations and laws that pertain to funeral
services. Survivor benefits, including estates and wills, are also
covered.
Students who earn an associate's degree in funeral service management
often work as funeral home directors. According to the U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics (BLS), the median hourly wage for funeral home
directors was $26.14 as of May 2009. Employment opportunities are
expected to grow by 12% between 2008 and 2018. This projected growth is
on par with the national average for all jobs (
www.bls.gov).
Individuals who have earned an associate's degree in funeral service
management are eligible for state licensure. Licensing laws and
requirements vary by state; however, most states require students
complete at least two years of education and one year apprenticeship
before taking a formal examination. Students interested in further
education may want to pursue an online bachelor's degree in funeral
service management.
Overview of Online Bachelor's Degree in Funeral Service Management
The funeral industry is becoming competitive as more people enter the
field. Online bachelor's degree programs in funeral service management
help individuals gain a marketable edge over their peers by providing
extensive training in funeral services and bereavement studies. Programs
are usually designed as degree completion programs. Topics include
industry trends, technological advances, best practices and marketing
techniques.
Online bachelor's degree completion programs expect students to have
at least two years of mortuary study completed before entering the
program. Applicants should have an associate's degree from an accredited
funeral service program, licensure in their state and experience
working in a funeral home. Courses are offered 100% online. Programs
take anywhere from 3-5 years to complete.
List of Common Online Bachelor-Level Funeral Service Management Courses
The courses in an online bachelor's in funeral home management
provide students with the knowledge and skills to take on the many
positions required of a funeral home manager. They are trained to become
a
business executive, caregiver, administrator and advisor, among others. Specific courses may include:
Grief Counseling Course
This course covers the grief process and techniques for working with
bereaved clients. Students acquire the skills needed in grief
counseling, including establishing trust, listening actively and
interviewing.
Marketing Course
Students learn how to create, develop and implement marketing plans.
Topics include understanding buyer's behavior, consumer and market
analysis, service promotion and marketing campaign management.
Cultural Death Rituals Course
This course provides students with an overview of various cultural
views and death rituals. Major religious beliefs associated with
mourning and death is discussed. Students also learn how to facilitate
different cultural death rituals.
According to the BLS, the median annual salary for funeral home
directors was $54,370 as of May 2009. Those who earn a bachelor's degree
in funeral service management can expect to earn more than individuals
without an undergraduate degree. The top five paying states for funeral
directors in 2009 were Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Delaware
and New York.
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