Online Schools and Colleges for an Aspiring Mortician

Morticians work in funeral homes arranging a funeral with a family, embalming, and laying the dead to rest at a grave site. This article discusses how to choose an online school for an aspiring mortician.

How to Choose an Online School for an Aspiring Mortician

Program Types

Students looking to become a mortician, or funeral director, may earn a bachelor's or associate's degree in mortuary science. This degree may be completed online with some work to be done either at a local funeral home or on the school's campus. Those completing a 2-year or 4-year online degree may work as an apprentice to a mortician, which involves arranging and directing the funerals and final burials of the dead. A bachelor's degree program includes more general education courses which may help students to better succeed in the business side of their career.

Offline Portion of Program

Every online mortuary science degree program is a hybrid program in which students take introductory courses completely online and then complete an internship with a local funeral home or spend about eight days on the school's campus to conduct clinical embalming training. The American Board of Funeral Service Education requires schools to have visited the funeral homes at which a student is placed.

Technology Requirements

Students will use e-mail and instant messaging software to connect with their instructors and other students. Tests are taken over the internet using a secure site and some timed exams may be taken with a predetermined proctor near the student's home.

List of Online Programs Relating to Aspiring Morticians

Online Associate's Degree in Mortuary Science

Most programs are two years in length and offered at community colleges. However, some mortuary science degrees are offered at schools specializing in mortuary science. Graduates usually enter into apprenticeship programs with funeral homes in their area. Classes may include the psychology of death, world religions, business law, embalming chemistry, microbiology, human anatomy, funeral management, pathology, embalming theory, professional issues and clinical work done through the hybrid format.

Online Bachelor's Degree in Mortuary Science

An online bachelor's degree program is similar to an associate's degree program, though it requires more general education and business courses. These courses may help aspiring morticians to better familiarize themselves with the challenges of managing a funeral parlor.