Mortuary Science

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Mortuary Science

Carl Sandburg College offers both a traditional associate degree and an optional accelerated program for students interested in a career in Mortuary Science.

 

Program Aims and Purposes

The Mortuary Science program, as it prepares students to serve within the funeral service profession, adheres to the institutional commitment to student success in both human development and achievement of educational goals. This challenge is met by educating our students in all phases of funeral service with special attention being given to the high ethical standards within the funeral service profession. These goals are accomplished through a wide variety of educational experiences aimed at developing the many skills needed in order to successfully serve within the funeral service profession. This curriculum is based upon the American Board of Funeral Service Education curriculum outlines. Several of the Mortuary Science classes require some outside work as well as research about various aspects of the funeral service profession. Upon completion of the Mortuary Science program, each graduate will have attained those skills necessary to uphold and foster the dignity of the funeral service profession.

 

Nature of the Work

Funeral directors arrange the details and handle the logistics of funerals. They interview the family to learn what they desire with regard to the nature of the funeral, the clergy members or other persons who will officiate, and the final disposition of the remains. Sometimes the deceased leave detailed instructions for their own funerals. Together with family members, funeral directors establish the location, dates, and times of wakes, memorial services, and burials. Funeral directors also prepare obituary notices and have them placed in newspapers, arrange for pallbearers and clergy, schedule the opening and closing of the grave with the cemetery, decorate and prepare the sites of all services, and provide transportation for the remains, mourners, and flowers between sites. Most funeral directors are also trained and licensed embalmers. Embalming is the cosmetic and preservative process through which the body is prepared for interment.

 

CSC Advantages

  1. Small class size allows for individual attention.
  2. The faculty brings a strong mix of academic training and varied field experiences to the classroom.
  3. Day and evening classes are offered to accommodate students who attend school and work full- and part-time.
  4. All of our Mortuary Science courses are taught by licensed funeral directors and embalmers who are current in the profession.
  5. All of our Mortuary Science courses are taught in our new Allied Health building. This  facility includes two classrooms, restorative art laboratory, preparation room, casket selection room area, cremation options area, and arrangement conference areas. The faculty offices are also located within this new facility, as well as student lounge areas.

 

Employment

Employment opportunities are excellent with many openings in the funeral service profession. These include, but are not limited to: funeral director, grief facilitator, embalmers, pre-needs sales. Most funeral homes are family-run businesses, and the funeral directors either are owner-operators or employees of the operation.

 

Accreditation /Licensure

The Mortuary Science program is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education, 3432 Ashland Avenue, Suite G, St. Joseph, MO 64506, 816 / 233-3747. The annual passage rate of first-time takers on the National Board Examination (NBE) for the most recent three-year period for this institution and all ABFSE accredited funeral service education programs is posted on the ABFSE web site (www.abfse.org)
Boards Scores