How to Become a Licensed Funeral Director in Massachusetts

Licensed funeral directors may conduct funerals and sign death certificates.

The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Funeral Directors and Embalmers uses Professional Credential Services (PCS) to administer licensing of funeral directors. Becoming a licensed funeral director in Massachusetts requires several licenses. First, obtain your apprentice license, complete an apprenticeship and graduate from an embalming school. Then, you may upgrade your license to become a funeral director.

Things You'll Need

• Apprentice application
• Photograph
• Copy of birth certificate
• Copy of high school diploma
• Application for type one and four license
• Application for type three license
• Application for type five license
• Copy of current license
• Employer affidavit
• Proof of funeral home ownership

Instructions

1. Obtain an apprentice embalmer license from Professional Credential Services. You may become an apprentice before, during or after graduating from an embalming school. Submit an apprentice license application to the PCS, available on the PCS website. Attach your passport-style photograph and copies of your birth certificate and high school diploma. If your application is approved, you will attend an affirmation meeting with the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Funeral Directors and Embalmers. You must complete at least a two-year apprenticeship to upgrade from an apprentice license.

2. Graduate from an embalming and funeral directing school accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education. In Massachusetts, the two accredited schools are the FINE Mortuary College in Norwood and the New England Institute at Mount Ida College in Newton Centre.

3. Submit an application to the PCS to obtain a type one and four license for a registered embalmer and a registered, unlicensed funeral director. If the Massachusetts Board approves your application, you will receive instructions for taking the exam. Pass the exam to obtain your new license. This type of license allows you to embalm bodies, but not to conduct funerals.

4. Upgrade your license to a type three or type five to become a licensed funeral director. A type three license is appropriate if you own 10 percent or more of a funeral home. If you do not own a portion of a funeral home, obtain a type five license. This allows you to embalm bodies and perform funeral activities. Along with your application, submit a copy of your current license. You do not need to take a new exam. If you apply for a type five license, submit an affidavit from your employer. If you apply for a type three license, submit proof of your partial or full ownership of a funeral home.

References

• Professional Credential Services Inc.: Apprentice License (Intern Embalmer)
• Professional Credential Services Inc.: Registered Embalmer/Registered Unlicensed Funeral Director (Type 1 & 4)
• American Board of Funeral Service Education: ABFSE Directory of Programs - Massachusetts
• Professional Credential Services Inc.: Registered Embalmer and Licensed Funeral Director (Type 3)
• Professional Credential Services Inc.: Certified Funeral Director (Type 5)
• Professional Credential Services Inc.: Massachusetts Funeral Director
• Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation: Frequently Asked Questions About Board of Registration of Funeral Directors and Embalmers

Resources

• BLS: Funeral Directors