How to Become a Mortician in Pennsylvania
Morticians, also known as funeral directors, arrange the details and handle the logistics for funeral services as well as the care of the deceased. In addition to providing service to grieving families, morticians must also perform technical tasks such as embalming, which is a preservative process that prepares bodies for internment. In Pennsylvania, the State Board of Funeral Directors, a division of the Department of State, is responsible for the licensing of funeral directors. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, licensed funeral directors in the United States generally earn between $40,000 and $70,000 per year, as of 2011.
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Instructions
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Complete at least two years, or 60 semester hours, of college level credits in liberal arts.
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Apply to a mortuary college or mortuary program at a college or university that has been approved by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE). Mortuary programs take at least one year to complete and results range from a diploma to an associate's or bachelor's degree. Find approved mortuary programs in Pennsylvania on the ABFSE website.
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Apply to the Pennsylvania State Board of Funeral Directors as a student trainee. Once you have been accepted to a mortuary program, download, print and complete the student trainee application from their website. Include information on the mortuary program to which you have been accepted, a photo and a $25 fee along with your application.
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Apply to funeral homes for employment as a resident intern. Once you have completed your mortuary program, work for at least 12 months, full time, in a professional funeral environment under the supervision of a licensed funeral director. When you have found a funeral director willing to take you on as an intern, complete and submit the Pennsylvania resident intern application, which you can find on the State Board of Funeral Directors website. Include certification from your employer stating that you have been accepted as an intern and include your $25 fee along with your application.
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Sit for your funeral director National Board Examination as well as your oral and clinical practice examinations. Once you have completed your 12-month internship, apply for your 340-question National Board Examination through the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards, and apply for your oral and clinical exams through Professional Credential Services.
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