Many work in what’s known as the death care industry, and healthcare is full of those called to end-of-life care, from hospice to memory care to clowning, believe it or not.

Among these professionals are those working with the aftermath of death itself, the corpse of a recently lost loved one. These remains must be handled with respect and care, in accordance with important health regulations that keep everyone safe.

Professionals in this area study for a degree in Funeral Service or Mortuary Science, known colloquially as embalming school, funeral science, or mortuary school. This discipline goes by many names. Many begin their careers by pursuing an Associate of Science (AS) in Funeral Service.

If you’re curious about what you’d learn in embalming school or where an AS in Funeral Service could take you professionally, we’ll unpack it all below, starting with the basics.

What you learn in embalming school

Wherever you begin your degree — more and more high schoolers complete general education core requirements before graduation these days — you’ll have to tick off the basics first: English Composition, Mathematics, Biology, etc. An AS in Funeral Science requires classes such as Humans and Disease, where you’ll unpack the effect modern diseases can have on the body, and Funeral Service Psychology and Counseling, where you’ll start to think about the types of clients you might have in future.

A core concept of curriculum in embalming school is understanding and empathizing with those you’ll serve after graduation. Families approach funeral steps in grief, overwhelmed, exhausted. Funeral service professionals must be able not only to interact with these people patiently and kindly but also to run a business ethically, profitably, and efficiently, which is why students in embalming school also spend time in management and accounting classes before moving on to their Funeral Service major classes.

Year two, for Goodwin students, includes more Funeral Service Management and Communication, plus Restorative Art with lab, which prepares students for the reconstruction of areas of the body that have been distorted by traumatic injury and postmortem changes. You’ll also study Funeral Service History and, finally, get into Embalming I and II, cremation procedures, and more lab time before you approach graduation.

What is required in embalming school?

It’s not just a few classes, and then you’re done; becoming a funeral director is serious and sensitive work.

Once you’ve been accepted into and begun your program, in addition to basic curriculum requirements, many students, including Goodwin graduates, begin internship placements that ease the transition from student to professional by building real-world skills outside the classroom and helping satisfy the required 12- to 36-month internship placement before you’re eligible to sit for your certification exam and become a fully licensed professional.

Then, after completing those internship requirements, and studying at a school that’s accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) — don’t worry, Goodwin is — graduates are finally ready and qualified to sit for, and must pass, a state board exam that ratifies their certification for practicing mortuary science.

Study Mortuary Science at Goodwin University

Embalming school: Career outcomes

Ok, you’re graduated and qualified. What next? There are many different areas you may choose to explore, perhaps even beginning during your internship placement, as a qualified mortuary scientist.

1. Clinical and medical roles

Let’s imagine that during school or your internship experience, you realized that interacting with grieving families isn’t exactly your strongest suit. Don’t worry, there are still ways to use your degree.

You can choose to work in a research lab or hospital setting as an anatomical embalmer, pathology/forensic assistant, or tissue recovery specialist, to name a few options. Your expertise in funeral sciences translates to many job opportunities.

2. Traditional funeral service

Of course, there’s the traditional funeral service route. You are a licensed embalmer, after all. Communities always need caring funeral directors and crematory technicians; you’ll find a good fit in no time.

3. Non-traditional and specialized roles

There are still more areas where your skills can lead you. Perhaps you have experience in or an aptitude for sales, you may work for a mortuary chemical supply company. Or for FEMA, assisting with disaster relief through body identification and other difficult tasks involving the deceased.

An AS in Funeral Service can take you all sorts of directions and places, from embalmer to mortician, mortuary transporter to funeral service director. If this sounds like interesting and engaging work, Goodwin’s program just became much more accessible, no matter where you call home.

Why Goodwin is a top pick for embalming and mortuary science school

While locally we are the only accredited mortuary science program in Connecticut, Goodwin’s AS in Funeral Service is now available fully online for out-of-state students, so you can earn a Funeral Service degree on your timetable, from wherever you can connect.

We understand every student’s journey is different, so Goodwin designed a Funeral Service program with flexibility in mind. Of course, we don’t leave you to figure out the hands-on work on your own. Goodwin students receive expert instruction during a required 2-3-day on-campus immersion weekend during their final semester, plus virtual support in finding a local internship to complete their state’s requirements.

Learn more about the Mortuary Science school at Goodwin University to see if funeral service is your calling.