Employment

Opportunities are excellent with many openings in the funeral service profession. These include, but are not limited to:

Funeral directors
Embalmers
Funeral service directors
Funeral attendants

Working conditions

Funeral directors arrange the details and handle the logistics of funerals. They interview the family to understand their preferences regarding the nature of the funeral, the clergy members or other persons who will officiate and the final disposition of the remains.

Most funeral directors are also trained and licensed embalmers. Embalming is the cosmetic and preservative process through which the body is prepared for interment. Most funeral homes are family run businesses, and the funeral directors either are owner operators or employees of the operation.

GRADUATES FROM THIS PROGRAM PURSUE CAREERS IN FIELDS SUCH AS:

Sample course schedules for the mortuary science program

View a sample schedule for mortuary science AAS degree.

View a sample schedule for accelerated mortuary science AAS degree.

Courses in this program are offered face-to-face in the classroom and through practicum experiences in funeral homes.

Estimated costs for the mortuary science program

Students are expected to purchase the required clothing and/or protective equipment used in the program. Additional living and incidental expenses should be expected by the student.

View the mortuary science cost sheet.

View the accelerated mortuary science cost sheet.

Financial Aid

To apply for financial aid, visit our financial aid page for more information.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) helps job seekers access employment, education, training and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy. Contact the local office to see if you qualify for financial support. 

• Hancock County | 550 N. Madison St. | Carthage, IL | 217.357.6749      
• Warren/Henderson County |1025 S. 2nd St | Monmouth, IL | 309.734.4745
• Knox County Bondi Building | 311 E. Main, Suite 612 | Galesburg, IL | 309.343.9832               
• McDonough County | 440 N. Lafayette | Macomb, IL | 309.837.1280

Scholarships

Thanks to our generous donors, the Carl Sandburg College Foundation is able to award more than $100,000 each year in scholarship dollars to Sandburg students. High school, adult learners, and returning students — everyone is eligible to apply between October 1 and March 15 for the upcoming year.

Mortuary science program learning outcomes

As it prepares students to serve within the funeral service profession, the mortuary science program adheres to the institutional commitment to student success in both human development and achievement of educational goals. This includes educating our students in all phases of funeral service with special attention given to the high ethical standards within the funeral service profession. These goals are accomplished through a wide variety of educational experiences that develop the many skills needed to successfully serve within the funeral service profession.

The curriculum is based upon the American Board of Funeral Service Education curriculum outlines. Required program learning outcomes include:

• Explain the importance of funeral service professionals in developing relationships with the families  and communities they serve.
• Identify standards of ethical conduct in funeral service practice.
• Interpret how federal, state, and local laws apply to funeral service in order to ensure compliance.
• Apply principles of public health and safety in the handling and preparation of human remains.
• Demonstrate technical skills in embalming and restorative art that are necessary for the preparation and handling of human remains.
• Demonstrate skills required for conducting arrangement conferences, visitations, services, and ceremonies.
• Describe the requirements and procedures for burial, cremation, and other accepted forms of final disposition of human remains.
• Describe methods to address the grief-related needs of the bereaved.
• Explain management skills associated with operating a funeral establishment.
• Demonstrate verbal and written communication skills and research skills needed for funeral service practice.

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 program, each graduate will have attained those skills necessary to uphold and foster the dignity of the funeral service profession. 

General FAQs

Can this program be completed part-time?

No. This program must be completed exactly as the curriculum states. You choose the two-year program or the accelerated program.

Is this an online program?

No. There are online sections available for some of the general education courses, but the courses are only available at the main campus in Galesburg, IL.

Are there certain grade requirements?

Yes. All courses in the program, as well as the six general education courses, must be completed with a grade of C or better (2.0 on a 4.0 scale). Failure to attain these grade requirements will result in dismissal from the program with an option to reapply. (Only available on a one-time basis.)

FAQs for the Two-Year Program

What are the prerequisite courses required for the accelerated program?

There are no prerequisites required for the two-year program. However, it is recommended that you complete ENG 101 prior to enrollment in the program. Those who do not complete ENG 101 prior to enrollment will be required to take it during a summer session. 

FAQs for the Accelerated Program

What is the accelerated program?

The accelerated program is available to any student who has successfully completed all of the prerequisite courses contained within the mortuary science program course of study. These courses must be completed prior to being admitted to the program. All 51 credit hours of the program are then completed in two semesters: 27 credit hours in the fall semester and 17 credit hours and the eight-week practicum during the spring semester.

What general education prerequisite courses must be completed prior to entry into the accelerated program?

1. ENG 101 Freshman Composition 1
2. BIO 111 Anatomy & Physiology Fundamentals
3. CHM 100 Concepts of Chemistry
4. BUS 205 Management Fundamentals
5. ACC 100 Procedural Accounting
6. BLA 202 Business Law 
   

All of these courses must be completed with a grade of C or above. 

Accreditation

Graduates from the mortuary science program are eligible to take the National Board Examination as administered by the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards, Inc. This exam allows graduates to apply for the Illinois Funeral Directors and Embalmers license. For other state licensure requirements, please contact the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards, Inc. or the state in which licensure is sought.

The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Mortuary Science at Carl Sandburg College is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE). National board examination rates, graduation rates, and employment rates for this and other ABFSE-accredited programs are available on the ABFSE website. To request a printed copy of this program’s pass rates and employment rates, contact:

Tim Krause
Coordinator of the mortuary science program
2400 Tom L. Wilson Blvd.
Galesburg, IL 61401
tkrause@sandburg.edu
309.345.8501

Initial accreditation was in 1997. The last comprehensive review was in 2017. The next comprehensive review will be in 2024.

Re-accreditation: April 2018 for a period of seven years with stipulation to demonstrate evidence of faculty evaluation.

Most recent accreditation decision: April 2019 — accepted report demonstrating evidence of faculty evaluation.

Professional Licensure Disclosures 

Postsecondary institutions participating in federal student aid programs are required to make certain disclosures to enrolled and prospective students, parents, employees and the public. The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (34 §C.F.R. 668.43) requires disclosures by institutions regarding educational requirements for programs leading to professional licensure or certification regardless of modality. The institution must make readily available to enrolled and prospective students information about whether programs leading to professional licensure or certification meet educational requirements.

Click here to view licensure information by state for dental hygiene, medical imaging programs, medical assisting, and mortuary science. 

If Sandburg College has not determined whether a program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification outside the state of Illinois, you should contact the licensing entity to determine whether it meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in the state you live or work. 

You may contact the Dean of Health Professions with questions: 

Tiffany Viggiano, Ph.D., M.Ed.
Dean of Health Professions
TViggiano@sandburg.edu
2400 Tom L. Wilson Blvd.
Galesburg, IL 61401
www.sandburg.edu

Meet the instructors

Tim Krause
Professor/Coordinator, Mortuary Science

Matthew Kendall
Associate Professor, Mortuary Science

Department of Health Professions
2400 Tom L. Wilson Blvd.
Galesburg, IL 61401
309.341.5299

Student Organizations

Sigma Phi Sigma

The purpose and mission of Sigma Phi Sigma are to promote professionalism, knowledge and fellowship within the mortuary science profession.

Advisor: Tim Krause: 309.345.8501 | tkrause@sandburg.edu

PROGRAM INFORMATION for Carl Sandburg College

*Timely graduation = Complete program in 1.5 times designated program length.

**Graduation rate reflects cohort graduation rate (% of students from original cohort completing in the designated year).

***Left before completing the program; did not finish.

NATIONAL BOARD STATISTICS for Carl Sandburg college