Mortuary science is, inherently, a highly hands-on field. It requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as emotional intelligence, to help families through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. At the same time, mortuary science is also very technical. Especially in embalming careers, funeral service professionals must be meticulous, precise, and practiced in areas like biology, anatomy, and chemistry.

However, many students are surprised to find out that you can take mortuary science classes online. With funeral service careers also requiring knowledge in business management, merchandising, history, and ethics, not every class needs to take place within a cadaver lab or funeral home environment.

Students no longer need to put their lives on hold to begin this meaningful career. Aspiring funeral directors, morticians, and embalmers can complete much of their coursework online, while still gaining essential in-person training and experience prior to graduation. Let us explain how.

How online mortuary science programs work

At Goodwin University, we offer both an on-campus and online Mortuary Science degree program. The online program is designed for students who require flexibility, such as those balancing careers or responsibilities at home. It enables students to complete almost all their mortuary science coursework remotely, at their own pace.

Notice we said almost. We recognize the importance of human connection and hands-on application in this profession, which is why even remote students are required to fulfill an in-person immersion weekend during their final semester.

Over the course of 2 to 3 days, students are immersed in real training and shadowing experiences. They gain critical restorative art competencies and embalming practice, verifying their skills directly in a laboratory setting. They prepare, in person, for their national board exam. And, perhaps most notably, they are granted the opportunity to shadow real industry professionals at Connecticut’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Here, students learn about autopsy procedures, death care documentation, death investigations, and more.

You see, taking mortuary science classes online does not mean sacrificing a quality education. Goodwin’s online program, for example, is still taught by practicing industry professionals. You’ll learn from real funeral directors and receive the same support you would in an on-campus setting.

Do you think an online Mortuary Science program is right for you? Request more information about our program today. Or, read on to learn about the online courses you’ll complete in this type of program.

Examples of online mortuary science classes

1. Funeral service management

Funeral service management dives deep into the business side of mortuary science. Students learn how funeral homes operate and how to run a successful and ethical practice themselves. They learn all about the terminology used in funeral services, as well as hone skills in accounting, records management, personnel management, and more. Students also practice their communication techniques in a workshop setting, learning how to appropriately work with grieving families, clergy members, and certain service professionals (e.g., military, government) in funeral service settings.

2. Psychology and counseling

Psychology and counseling are core to what funeral directors do. These professionals often help families through grief and loss, and therefore must be able to support and guide them as funeral arrangements are made. This class is designed to explore grief, human behavior, and the psychological impact of death on both the bereaved and the funeral service professional. Students learn techniques for counseling, communication, active listening, and empathy.

3. Funeral service history and merchandising

Funeral service is deeply rooted in our history, but practices vary by culture, religion, and population. As such, students must have a well-rounded knowledge of traditions and how they came about. In this online mortuary science class, students discover the historical and cultural practices in funeral service, from ancient to contemporary times. They also learn about merchandising funeral goods, including caskets, urns, and outer burial containers, and how to demonstrate and sell these items. Importantly, students also study the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Funeral Rule and the parameters of FTC-compliant price lists.

4. Funeral service law and socio-ethics

Funeral services are largely about helping people, but with that comes a great emphasis on compliance and ethics. As such, aspiring professionals must know the ins and outs of mortuary law, the liabilities of funeral service professionals, and ethical responsibilities in this line of work. This course introduces students to those concepts: It discusses the legal responsibilities of funeral service professionals at the federal, state, and local levels. It unpacks tort and contract law, cemetery and crematory regulations, as well as government statutes. Students learn about wills, estates, probate laws, as well as OSHA, FTC, and ADA regulations. Finally, this online course emphasizes ethical decision-making and reviews the ethical responsibilities of funeral professionals, so that students can operate with integrity, respect, and professionalism in their future careers.

5. Final seminar

The final seminar of any Mortuary Science program is a capstone, preparing students for professional licensure upon graduation. In Goodwin’s online Mortuary Science program, students prepare for the National Board Exam for Funeral Services (NBE). They review theoretical knowledge, practical competencies, and professional standards in preparation for this assessment. The goal? Students learn how to transition from the classroom to real-world settings, and do so with complete readiness and confidence.

Check out our full list of mortuary science classes here!

Getting your mortuary science degree online

Few careers emphasize technical expertise and human connection in the way that funeral services professionals do. From helping families navigate tough times to arranging funerals behind the scenes, this profession deeply blends science and care.

While the work will always be this way, the path to getting there doesn’t need to be face-to-face. Online mortuary science classes make it possible for students to complete core academic requirements remotely and conveniently, without sacrificing a quality education.

If you’re interested in learning more about Goodwin’s online Mortuary Science degree, please do not hesitate to reach out. Request info online today!