Funeral Service Education, AAS

Overview

Narrative

Are you interested in:

• Helping Others?

• The Human Biological Sciences?

• Community Involvement?

• A business environment?

Have you considered a career in Funeral Service?

The funeral service professional:

• Provides support to the bereaved during initial stages of grief.

• Arranges and directs funeral ceremonies.

• Performs the transfer of the deceased from the place of death.

• Prepares the body according to the wishes of the survivors and requirements of the law.

• Sells funeral related services and merchandise.

• Establishes pre-arranged/pre-financed funeral accounts.

• Secures information for legal documents.

• Files death certificates and other legal papers.

• Assists survivors with details for filing claims for death benefits.

• Helps individuals adapt to changes in their lives following a death through post-death counseling and support group activities.

Why should you enter funeral service?

• You are a caregiver who desires to serve others.

• You believe ceremony is an effective way of expressing feelings.

• You are open-minded about ways in which people of different faiths and cultures express their feelings and practice their beliefs.

• You are interested in the technical sciences.

• You exhibit sensitivity and compassion for those with whom you are in contact.

• You are interested in learning all aspects of a business.

Funeral Service Education provides you with a comprehensive understanding of all phases of funeral service necessary to serve the bereaved in a professional and ethical manner. The need for funeral directors and embalmers will escalate over the next twenty years and the earning potential has never been better.

Mission Statement

Our mission as Northampton Community College Funeral Service Education is to educate students in the fundamental skills, knowledge, and practice of funeral service. We strive to create a supportive learning environment which fosters communication, critical thinking, self-discipline, compassion and encourages student and faculty research in the field of funeral service. The program embraces the college's mission, vision and values, and is committed to providing an unexcelled educational experience that is inclusive and diverse.

Accreditation

The Funeral Service Education associate degree program at Northampton Community College is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), 992 Mantua Pike, Suite 108, Woodbury Heights, New Jersey 08097 (816) 233-3747. Web:www.abfse.org.

National Board Examination pass rates, graduation rates, (beginning in 2015) and employment rates (beginning in 2015) for this and other ABFSE-accredited programs are available at www.abfse.org or can be obtained here. To request a printed copy of this program's rates, go to the Funeral Service Education Program Director's office, Commonwealth Hall, Office 106 or by e-mail at tmoore@northampton.edu, or by telephone 610-861-5576.

View Graduation Rates & National Board Statistics

Features

Northampton's Funeral Service Education is designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure set forth by the Pennsylvania State Board of Funeral Directors.

Upon graduation you will be awarded an Associate in Applied Science degree and will be eligible to begin your 12-month Resident Internship. Our graduates have experienced a high level of placement within the profession.

Students are admitted to the program during the Fall sessions of each year and are encouraged to participate in the social and community service activities of Sigma Phi Sigma- The Funeral Service Education Student Association. Funeral Service Education core courses are offered during the day.

Career Potential: Funeral Director, Embalmer, Pre-Need Funeral Counselor

Licensure Requirements For Each State

National Funeral Directors Association
The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Board