WHY A CAREER IN FUNERAL SERVICE
Most people associate funeral directors with death and dying. Funeral directors, however, view their profession as one that celebrates life with dignity, compassion, and respect while caring for the survivors: the bereaved.
The role of a funeral director is extensive. Families and communities look toward a funeral director for guidance – both ceremonial and spiritual – during emotional times. In order to serve these families and communities successfully, funeral directors must be knowledgeable of technical sciences, business management, law, and psychology. A funeral director’s duties include:
- Arranging the removal of the deceased from the place of death
- Preparing the body of the deceased according to the wishes of survivors and requirements of federal and state law for final disposition
- Arranging and directing funeral ceremonies according to the wishes and customs of survivors;
- Securing legal documents, filing death certificates, and assisting survivors in filing claims for death benefits
- Serving as a bereavement counselor and helping survivors adapt to changes in their lives following a death of a loved one
- Providing aftercare programs for survivors, including programs for handling the holidays and helping children understand death
- Participating in community betterment programs and joining civic organizations
IFDA members agree that becoming a funeral director is more than a job, it’s a career and a way of life. The best way to learn about the funeral service profession in Iowa is to visit your local IFDA member. As licensed funeral professionals, Association members offer insight and advice while helping you decide if a career in funeral service is right for you.
Educational Requirements
- Obtain a minimum of 60 semester hours from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum of a 2.0 or “C” grade point average
- Successfully complete a mortuary science course from a school accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE)
- After graduating from an accredited mortuary science program, must serve a minimum of a one year internship under the direct supervision of a licensed funeral director preceptor in the State of Iowa
- Must pass the national and state board licensing examinations
- Once a funeral directors license is obtained, licensees are required to complete 24 hours of continuing education courses every two years in order to maintain licensure.