Learn to Support Families Through Funeral Service Education
The associate in applied science (AAS) degree in funeral service education prepares you for entry-level employment as a funeral director or embalmer. STLCC offers a premier funeral service education program that serves the Missouri region and is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education.
You’ll study topics such as mortuary law, restorative art, funeral directing, embalming and the psychology of grief. Coursework and applied learning help you develop the skills needed to work in funeral service settings and support families in a professional manner.
This program has special admission requirements. Please review the requirements checklist before submitting your application.
What is Funeral Service Education at St. Louis Community College?
Funeral service education involves academic and practical training to prepare students for careers as funeral service professionals. Students learn the necessary skills to provide funeral and memorial services, handle the deceased with care, offer grief support to families and manage funeral home operations.
Funeral Service Professional Skills:
- Empathy and compassion
- Communication skills
- Organizational skills
- Attention to detail
- Crisis management
- Cultural sensitivity
- Professionalism
- Legal knowledge
- Problem-solving skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Flexibility
What Can You do with a Funeral Service Education Degree?
A funeral service education associate degree prepares you for various roles in the funeral industry, such as a funeral director, embalmer or mortician. You'll be equipped to provide funeral services, handle deceased individuals, support grieving families and manage funeral home operations.
Program Objectives:
- Explain the importance of funeral service professionals in developing relationships with the families and communities they serve.
- Identify standards of ethical conduct in funeral service practice.
- Interpret how federal, state and local laws apply to funeral service in order to ensure compliance.
- Apply principles of public health and safety in handling and preparation of human remains.
- Demonstrate technical skills in embalming and restorative art that are necessary for the preparation and handling of human remains.
- Demonstrate skills required for conducting arrangement conferences, visitations, services and ceremonies.
- Describe the requirements and procedures for burial, cremation and other accepted forms of final disposition of human remains.
- Describe methods to address the grief-related needs of the bereaved.
- Explain management skills associated with operating a funeral establishment.
- Demonstrate verbal and written communication skills and research skills needed for funeral service practice.
AAS in Funeral Service Education
- Degree offered: Associate in applied science
- Locations: Forest Park
- Hours to complete: 74
- Program contact name: David Coughran
- Program contact email: STLCC-FuneralServices@stlcc.edu
- Accreditation:
The funeral service education associate degree program at St. Louis Community College is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) 992 Mantua Pike, Suite 108, Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097, 816-233-3747. National Board Examination scores, graduation rates and employment rates for this and other ABFSE accredited programs are available at the ABFSE website. To request a printed copy of this program's scores and rates, visit the funeral service education program office at the Forest Park campus, room W407, email dcoughran@stlcc.edu or call 314-644-9327. - This program meets the educational requirements for state licensure in the following states: Missouri and Illinois. Students interested in pursuing licensure in a different state should contact the program coordinator for more information.
Cost of Attendance
Tuition for district residents is $127 per credit hour for in-district students. Find out more about our straightforward and low-cost tuition structure.
Prerequisites
Before applying to the funeral service education program, students must complete the following requirements.
- Minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher: STLCC students with at least 15 college level credits with a 2.75 GPA will meet this requirement, regardless of the GPA at other colleges. College transfer students with fewer than 15 STLCC credits must have a cumulative 2.75 GPA in college level credits earned at all colleges attended.
- Reading proficiency: Demonstrate college-level reading competency.
- Biology: BIO 111 Introduction to Biology completed with a "C" or higher.
- English: Completion of ENG 101 College Composition I OR ENG 102 College Composition II with a grade of "C" or higher.
- Math: Placement into MTH 108 Elementary Applied Mathematics or higher level math within the last five years.
- Psychology: Completion of PSY 200 General Psychology with a grade of "C" or higher.
- History and Sociology of Funeral Service: Completion of FSE 101 History and Sociology of Funeral Service with a grade of "C" or higher.
- Job Shadowing: Complete a minimum of 40 hours of documented job shadowing which has been completed and verified under the direct supervision of a licensed funeral director.
Program Outcomes
| Year | Total Enrolled | # of New Students | # of Grads | Timely Grad* | Graduation Rate** | Did not finish*** | Overall % Employed | Employed in Funeral Service |
| 2024 | 12 | 12 | 7 | 7/7 | 77% | 0 | 71% | 71% |
| 2023 | 43 | 20 | 12 | 12/12 | 86% | 2 | 42% | 42% |
| 2022 | 41 | 15 | 13 | 13/13 | 100% | 0 | 69% | 62% |
*Timely graduation = complete program in 1½ times designated program length.
**Graduation rate reflects cohort graduation rate (% of students from original cohort completing in the designated year)
***Left before completing the program; did not finish.
National Board Statistics
Why You Should Choose STLCC's Funeral Service Program
Caring for Students
STLCC goes beyond academics with support services, ranging from stress and anxiety management to grants for childcare, emergency crisis support, clothing and free meals through Archers' Market and Brown Bag Café food pantry. We offer free tutoring on campus or online.
Graduate with Little or No Debt
We believe cost should never be a barrier to achieving your potential. Save over $4,700 per year with tuition that's one-third less than than other local institutions.
Access A+ Scholarship
The Missouri A+ program covers tuition for eligible high school graduates up to 18 credit hours per semester for full-time students, minus any Pell grants or federal aid.
Ramp Up High-Wage Skills
STLCC offers career-focused programs for high-wage, high-skill and in-demand jobs. STLCC provides opportunities for college transfers, career development and workforce training.