Overview of Funeral Service and Mortuary Science

Funeral service and mortuary science is a field that prepares individuals to fulfill various roles related to the death care industry. Related roles include funeral directors, embalmers, crematory operators and morticians who assist families in grieving and provide end-of-life services.

Career Opportunities Associated with Funeral Service and Mortuary Science

Career opportunities in funeral service and mortuary science include funeral director, funeral home manager, embalmer, crematory operator, and funeral pre-planner. Those who are licensed may also choose to open their own funeral home or mortuary.

Internships or Co-op Opportunities Related to Funeral Service and Mortuary Science

Students looking to gain experience in funeral service and mortuary science may pursue internships or participate in co-op programs with local funeral homes or mortuaries. The internships and co-op programs may help students gain a better understanding of the day-to-day operations of the business and the different roles each person in the funeral service business has.

Specialized Tracks or Concentrations Within Funeral Service and Mortuary Science

Funeral service and mortuary science courses may offer specialization tracks or concentrations in areas such as embalming, cremation, and mortuary science. Students may also take additional courses in law, business, public speaking, psychology, or other related areas.

How Funeral Service and Mortuary Science Prepares Students for Graduate School or Further Education

Individuals interested in furthering their studies in funeral service and mortuary science can pursue post-graduate or doctoral degree programs. Although this field does not directly offer any traditional post-graduate degrees, students may take additional courses to better prepare them for the higher educational level. This may include courses in psychology, counseling, business, public relations, and more.

Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Funeral Service and Mortuary Science

The use of artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly important in the funeral service and mortuary science field. For example, more and more mortuaries are now using digital tools for registering deaths and creating funeral service records. Additionally, AI-powered chatbots are being used for customer service, handling customer requests, and offering customers guidance related to the death care process.

The Career Outlook for Funeral Service and Mortuary Science

The career outlook for funeral service and mortuary science remains strong. Job growth in the field is expected to remain steady over the next 10 years, and the demand for funeral directors is expected to grow 4% over that same period. This growth reflects an increasing senior population as well as more people relying on the services of mortuaries, including those who prefer cremation services.

Here are the top reported starting salaries for graduates in Funeral Service and Mortuary Science:

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Salary: $51,139

Wayne State University, Salary: $47,187

Point Park University, Salary: $40,434

University of Central Oklahoma, Salary: $40,408

Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, Salary: $36,899

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Salary: $28,319

For privacy reasons, not all schools report the first year salaries for students who earned their bachelor’s degree in Funeral Service and Mortuary Science.