As the human population grows, so too does the need for funeral service professionals—morticians, funeral home directors, embalmers, and more. These professionals are responsible for arranging and providing end-of-life services, honoring the lives of the deceased, and helping families prepare for (and work through) deaths.

It’s estimated that about 5,800 job openings will become available annually for funeral service workers, meaning the demand is high and there’s no better time than now to get started in the field. Between earning a degree and getting licensed, though, becoming a funeral service professional can take several years. But there are flexible ways to do it, depending on where you look.

Enter, the online Mortuary Science degree.

What is an online Mortuary Science degree?

Broadly speaking, a Mortuary Science degree is a postsecondary award that prepares students to become funeral service professionals. Offered at associate and bachelor’s degree levels, Mortuary Science programs can lead you to careers as a mortician, funeral service director, funeral home manager, embalmer, and more. Typically, this degree requires a blend of hands-on and classroom learning to develop skilled, ethical, and compassionate professionals who are well-practiced in the field.

An online Mortuary Science degree serves the same purpose, but its format is very different. While traditional degree programs require students to take classes on campus, online Mortuary Science programs can be completed from anywhere with an internet connection. Students can join classes online, interact with professors and colleagues digitally, and complete assignments at their own pace, from the comfort of their own home. This online format allows for a lot of flexibility, which is a major perk for those balancing other obligations like work and family.

However, online Mortuary Science programs aren’t always offered or available in an entirely online format. So, if you want an online component, it’s important to do your research.

Can you get a Mortuary Science degree online?

The mortuary science field is a lot like healthcare in that aspiring professionals can really benefit from hands-on practice. After all, funeral service workers carry out a lot of detailed, tactical, and interpersonal tasks (think: preparing bodies for cremation or counseling grieving families)—tasks that can be elevated through hands-on experience and application. With this in mind, the concept of an online degree gets a little murky: Can you truly gain the skills needed through an online path?

The answer? Yes and no.

Many of the skills taught in a Mortuary Science program can, in fact, be developed and honed online. Just think about the day-to-day operations of a funeral service worker. They plan and manage everything that goes into a funeral ceremony, such as transportation, event times, legal documentation, and insurance claims. These tasks are very business-oriented and less hands-on, meaning they can happen from anywhere. And with the rise of telehealth, even counseling skills (to help families of the deceased) can be practiced in an online format.

But of course, there are some limitations. Working directly in the field, developing highly technical skills in restorative arts and embalming, as well as practicing interpersonal connection, can be incredibly valuable to aspiring funeral service workers. A 100% online Mortuary Science degree won’t typically cut it, especially as many licensing organizations and employers require practical experience in the field. An online Mortuary Science program that offers some immersion experiences in person, therefore, is highly recommended.

The best type of Mortuary Science degree online

When you’re opting for an online Mortuary Science degree, there are certain things you’ll want to look for to ensure you’re getting the best possible education. Not all online program offerings are the same, so be sure to find a program that is:

• Accredited, with high-quality instruction
• Blended with a practical component/hands-on experience
• Comprehensive in the courses and topics covered
• Flexible to meet your needs, with primarily online courses
• Taught by practicing funeral service professionals/industry leaders
• Understanding of employers’ needs and state-level requirements, preparing you to qualify for licensing and a career

At Goodwin University, the Mortuary Science program is offered both on-campus and online. Depending on your needs, you have the option to pursue either format!

For those seeking flexibility, the associate degree in Mortuary Science is available fully online up until the very end of the program, with one immersion week required during your final semester. This in-person component is limited to just two or three days, providing the critical hands-on training needed to thrive in funeral services.

Outside of this experience, the program can be completed online and in just 16 months full-time. (Part-time options are also available.) Online courses are taught by industry-leading funeral directors, providing students with the highest-quality instruction based on real-world experiences and training. Online Mortuary Science classes include career-focused topics in psychology and counseling, history and merchandising, funeral service management, and more.

The immersion weekend is offered on-campus, where distance learning students can travel to Goodwin University to participate in engaging and valuable experiences to prepare for their careers. Over the course of a few days, you will complete:

• A comprehensive curriculum review to prepare for board exams
• A shadowing experience at the State of Connecticut Medical Examiner’s Office
• Competency verification of practical embalming, at a real-world cadaver lab
• Hands-on verification of restorative arts techniques

Remember, not all online Mortuary Science programs are the same. Students should make sure that their program is accredited to receive a high-quality, industry-standard education. For example, Goodwin University’s Funeral Service program is the only program in Connecticut that is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE).

Earn a Mortuary Science degree online or in-person

Funeral services is a very hands-on field, with the day-to-day involving event planning and management, preserving bodies, counseling families, and more. As such, Mortuary Science degrees should involve an in-person training component, to supplement online coursework.

And in states like Connecticut, funeral service professionals like morticians and funeral service directors are required to have hands-on experience before earning licensure and officially practicing in the field.

At Goodwin University, we understand your need for flexibility, which is why we offer two possible pathways towards an associate degree in Funeral Service:

• On-campus program: Ideal for those who prefer in-person instruction and a campus-based experience
• Fully online program: Designed for students seeking maximum flexibility with very minimal on-campus requirements

Both formats feature a comprehensive and high-quality curriculum that can be completed in as few as 16 months full-time. Through either route, you’ll gain the specialized knowledge and practical experience needed to launch a career.

How to launch a career in mortuary science

1. Research the career requirements.

There are certain licensing and training requirements you’ll need to meet for a funeral services career, depending on where you live and the title you pursue. For example, funeral directors must:

• Be 21 years of age or older
• Pass a state/national board examination
• Serve a one to three-year-long internship or apprenticeship

Morticians in Connecticut, on the other hand, must:

• Earn an associate degree in Mortuary Science
• Secure an apprenticeship
• Successfully complete the National Board Examination, administered by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE)
• Take the Connecticut board exam

2. Complete the education requirements.

Whether you pursue it online or in person, a Mortuary Science degree is critical to your career, offering industry knowledge, interpersonal support skills, techniques in restorative arts and embalming, business management and planning experience, and more.

3. Pass the National Board Examination.

The National Board Examination, given by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), combines funeral arts and sciences to ensure candidates are prepared for a career in funeral services. Additionally, passing this exam is a requirement for paid apprenticeships in the funeral service field.

4. Secure an apprenticeship.

After the completion of their degree and the board exam, candidates are typically required to complete an apprenticeship. This takes one to three years to complete, under the direction of licensed funeral directors or managers.

Some schools, like Goodwin University, offer one-year paid apprenticeships following their degree programs. Goodwin students are connected with funeral homes across Connecticut, gaining hands-on experience in embalming, restorative art, and business management. Our students must complete:

• 180 hours at their internship
• 10 embalming operations
• 30 hours of on-campus coursework learning business management

5. Sit for the state board exam.

After completing their apprenticeship, candidates are ready to take their state’s board exam. Every state’s exam will have different requirements, so candidates should research what will be asked of them.

Once they take and pass the exam, graduates will be ready for a fulfilling and meaningful career in the funeral service field. Possibilities include:

• At-need and pre-need consultants: These professionals guide families through the complex process of arranging funerals, offering emotional support and recommendations based on individual needs and budgets.
• Embalmers: Using specialized techniques and scientific knowledge, embalmers prepare bodies for viewing and make sure their preservation follows the legal and ethical guidelines.
• Funeral service directors: Oversee all aspects of the funeral process, serve as the go-between with families and clergy, and ensure every detail aligns with the wishes of the deceased and their loved ones.
• Funeral service practitioners: By directly supporting families during visitations, services, and burials, practitioners offer a compassionate presence and see that everything runs smoothly on the funeral day.
• Morticians: Provide care for the deceased and support for grieving families during their most difficult times.
• Mortuary transporters: Responsible for the transportation of deceased individuals from various locations to funeral homes, morgues, or crematoriums

Start your funeral service career at Goodwin University

Set yourself up for success in the funeral services industry with Goodwin University’s associate degree in Mortuary Science.

While you can’t earn an entire Mortuary Science degree online, our dedicated career services team and extensive network of employers and alumni provide ongoing support and guidance, including hassle-free enrollment, financial aid options, flexible learning formats, experienced faculty and staff, and state-of-the-art facilities.

Together, we’ll get you through college and into a meaningful career, making a difference in the lives of families when they need it the most.