Rest In Peace

What training is required for someone to be a funeral assistant?

What education is needed for someone to enter the field of funeral arrangements? I am somewhat interested in the field and would like some direction.

Public Comments

1. buddy, from what i have been told, its a "dead" end job.
2. After retiring from another profession I became an assistant funeral director. The funeral home you work at will train you. You won't be doing anything technical - i.e. embalming, although you may assist. You may make arrangements, but the contract/arrangements will have to be signed by a licensed funeral director. Many cemetary sales people write up the arrangements and have a director sign it.
3. Funeral assistants are usually trained on the job. The mortician (Kansas: http://www.accesskansas.org/ksbma/lic-requirements.html#embalmer) and funeral directors (Kansas: http://www.accesskansas.org/ksbma/lic-requirements.html#funeral_dir) have educational requirements, but the assistant usually simply assists, does what the mortician or direct needs. (Kansas: http://www.accesskansas.org/ksbma/lic-requirements.html#assist_funeral_dir) Here are a couple of sites to check: http://getaccess.westone.wa.gov.au/careers/profiles/data/OCC130.asp (in Australia, but they are very similar to here) http://www.nfda.org/careers.php?PHPSESSID=315c90485fc975a6851755876b1ad017 (National Funeral Directors Association, US)
4. I think you need to check out the particulars for where you live. In my state, there are no funeral assistants. There are apprentices, but apprentices have apprentice licenses, and funeral directors have funeral director licenses. Some states have different licensees for embalmers and directors, but in my state funeral directors embalm. You could simply call a funeral home and ask if you could come in and talk to a funeral director. I think most places would be willing to sit down and talk to you. I talk to one or two interested people a year, and I always enjoy it. Good luck!