Funeral Service Education (Collaborative Program)

Why a Career in Funeral Service?

The Funeral Service Education curriculum provides students with the opportunity to become proficient in basic funeral service skills.

In addition to the general education courses offered in the curriculum, technical courses such as human anatomy, embalming theory and practice, embalming chemistry, restorative arts, funeral law, and funeral home operations are taught.

Graduates of the curriculum, upon passing the state or national exam and completing an internship in a funeral home, will be qualified for employment as embalmers and/or funeral directors.

Funeral Service Education (FSE) is a collaborative program between Randolph Community College (RCC) and Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC). FTCC is the “host” college and will be awarding the Associate Degree or Diploma.

Most FSE courses will be delivered via the Internet from FTCC as online courses. All general education and related courses will be offered by RCC either on campus or online.

Degree-seeking Students who are employed with a funeral home may be eligible to complete the embalming clinical assignments at a funeral home approved by FTCC. Students who are not employed at a funeral home will be required to travel to FTCC to complete their embalming lab requirements on the FTCC campus. Students will be required to take the National Board Exam for Funeral Services as a condition for graduation.

Graduates of the diploma program are eligible to take the N.C. Board of Mortuary Science Funeral Director state exam.

COMPETENCIES (per Fayetteville Technical Community College)

These are the skills students will develop as they progress through this program.

GENERAL COMPETENCY

1. Communicate effectively in writing, reading and listening.

2. Perform technical skills in Funeral Service.

3. Use information to analyze problems and make logical decisions.

4. Demonstrate positive interpersonal skills in various aspects of life.

5. Demonstrate quantitative competencies .

6. Demonstrate basic skills in using a personal computer.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCY

7. Demonstrate funeral service leadership skills.

8. Use of basic funeral services management skills.

9. Develop an appreciation of human diversity and its application in Funeral Service.

10. Comply w/OSHA and Universal Precautions when handling deceased.

11. Evaluate and apply proper embalming and restorative arts techniques.

12. Be knowledgeable and willing to provide meaningful funeral services to families of all religions and nationalities.

13. Process all applicable documentation required when a death occurs.

14. Demonstrate knowledge in the allied health sciences.

15. Be knowledgeable of all Federal Trade Com. requirements.

16. Comply with jurisdictional rules, before, during and after embalming human remains.

Click here for a list of Humanities/Fine Arts and Social/Behavioral Sciences courses approved for this program.