Educational Requirements

Oregon Requirements 

• Funeral Service Practioners in Oregon must have an Associate of Arts Degree and serve a one-year apprenticeship. Out-of-state licensees with four years continuous experience in funeral service may have this education requirement waived. 
• Embalmers must obtain a two-year mortuary college degree and serve a one-year apprenticeship. 

General Requirements

• A high school diploma or equivalent. 
• Some college, in accordance with a state's requirement, a portion of which is in funeral service education. 

The funeral service curriculum, approved by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), the United States funeral service accrediting agency, includes courses in: 

Public Health and Technical Area - microbiology, anatomy, chemistry, pathology, restorative art, and embalming. Business Management Area - business management, funeral arranging, funeral merchandising, funeral home management, computer applications, Federal Trade Commission Funeral Rule, and accounting. 

Social Science Area - sociology of funeral service, psychology of grief, funeral directing, history of funeral service, communication skills, and counseling. 

Legal, Regulatory and Ethical Area - business law, funeral service law and regulation, and professional ethics. 

Passing a state and/or national board licensing examination. 

An internship or apprenticeship ranging from one to three years.

Several states require that funeral directors meet continuing education requirements. 

Mt. Hood Community College's Funeral Service Advisor is also an excellent resource for questions and answers. Their phone number is 503-491-7363.