Pre-Mortuary Science Education

The Mortuary Profession
Individuals entering the mortuary profession typically follow two paths: funeral director or embalmer.  The funeral director counsels families and next of kin with regard to the conduct and composition of a funeral service of burial, disposition, or cremation for a deceased human body.  The funeral director also supervises burials, dispositions, and cremations and maintains a funeral establishment.  The embalmer prepares deceased human bodies for such funeral services as previously listed.  This includes, but is not limited to, disinfecting and using preservative chemical substances on bodies to clean and purify them.  Embalmers also obtain burial or removal permits.  Only licensed funeral directors, embalmers, or apprentices working under an embalmer’s supervision may perform embalming on deceased human bodies.  Information about careers in funeral directing and embalming can be found at http://www.nfda.org/careers.php.

Mortuary Science Education
The state of Nebraska does not have an accredited mortuary science program.  Licensure with the state of Nebraska requires completion of 60 hours of pre-mortuary education, completion of a full course of instruction at an accredited mortuary science school, completion of twelve months of service as an apprentice under the instruction and supervision of a licensed funeral director and embalmer, successful completion of the National Board Examination, the Written Jurisprudence and Vital Statistics Examinations.  Graduation from an accredited funeral service program requires the completion of an associate degree, or its equivalent, and, within the credits earned for the associate degree, the completion of approximately 45 credits specifically in funeral service.

Undergraduate Preparation
Since students attending a mortuary science program will earn an associates degree, a baccalaureate degree from UNL is not required prior to admission.  UNL offers coursework required at the undergraduate level as specified by the state of Nebraska licensure requirements.  These hours must be earned in additionto a full course of instruction in a school of mortuary science; hours earned as part of the mortuary degree or diploma can not be used towards meeting these 60 hours. 

Required Coursework
The following recommendations fulfill the licensure requirements for the state of Nebraska.  Students should contact the mortuary science program specifically regarding specific course requirements for the school’s associate degree.  A directory of accredited mortuary science programs can be found at http://www.abfse.org/html/dir-listing.html. 

1. Required Courses

English Composition – 6 hours

Accounting – 6 hours

General Chemistry with lab – 8 hours

Biological Sciences relating to the human body – 12 hours

Psychology – 6 hours

Electives – 22 hours

Total: 60 hours

Extracurricular Experiences
Pre-Mortuary science students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular experiences such as leadership roles, volunteer work, research, and shadowing, which will help prepare them for the funeral profession.  Extracurricular experiences play a significant role in a student’s application to a professional school program and exploration of the profession.  Such experiences demonstrate a commitment to and knowledge about the profession.  In particular, shadowing funeral professionals and involvement with clubs such as the Pre-Health Club will help students to learn more about the mortuary science profession.

Application and Admission
Students interested in pursuing the associate’s degree in applied science at an accredited mortuary science school will follow the specific application procedures for each school.  A directory of the 45 accredited programs in mortuary science can be found at http://www.abfse.org/html/dir-listing.html.  Some programs will require an interview and receipt of letters of recommendation prior to admittance to the program.
The requirements for licensure for the state of Nebraska are outlined below.  Each state has its own requirements, though there are similarities. 

1. Have earned the equivalent of 60 semester hours of college credit (pre-mortuary education) as outlined above.  These hours must be earned in addition to a full course of instruction in a school of mortuary science; hours earned as part of the mortuary degree or diploma can not be used towards meeting these 60 hours.
2. Have completed a full course of instruction in a mortuary science school accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education.
3. Have completed 12 months of service as an apprentice under the instruction and supervision of a duly licensed funeral director and embalmer practicing in the State of Nebraska.
4. Have attained at least the age of majority and have good moral character.
5. Successfully pass the National Board examination for Funeral Service administered at accredited schools of mortuary science. The Nebraska Board does not administer this examination. To pass the examination, you must achieve an average score of
1. 75% or above on the funeral service arts section of the examination (with no subtest score below 60%)
2. 75% or above on the funeral service science section of the examination with no subtest score below 60%
6. Successfully pass the written jurisprudence and vital statistics examinations administered by the Credentialing Division. To pass the examination, you must achieve an average score of
1. 75% or above on the jurisprudence examination
2. 75% or above on the vital statistics examination