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Funeral Service Education

The Funeral Service degree program prepares students for entry-level employment in the funeral service industry, provides a strong theory-based curriculum and related clinical experience reflective of the current industry standard, and maintains or exceeds the standards put forth by the accrediting board. ARC is one of only two community colleges in the state of California to offer a Funeral Service Education program.

Courses are designed to meet the prerequisite for licensure and employment in the funeral service industry as funeral directors and embalmers through courses in biology, chemistry, funeral service management, embalming, restorative art, funeral service fundamentals, counseling, accounting, and funeral service law and ethics. Coursework is conducted on the ARC campus, while the clinical component will be offered off-campus at local funeral industry sites.

The Funeral Service Education associate degree program at American River College is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), 992 Mantua Pike, Suite 108, Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097 (816) 233-3747. Web: www.abfse.org.

The United States Department of Labor maintains an excellent website that includes information on the nature of the work, working conditions, employment, training, advancement, job outlook, earnings, related occupations, and sources of additional information. Department of Labor Information.

Additional Information

American Board of Funeral Service Education Passing Rate

National Board Examination pass rates, graduation rates, and employment rates for this and other ABFSE-accredited programs are available at: ABFSE Directory of Programs - California in the Directory of Accredited Programs.

Degrees Offered

A.S. in Funeral Service Education

Dean Narinedat Madramootoo
Department Chair Valarie Rose
Phone (916) 484-8902
Email askhb-healthed@arc.losrios.edu

Associate Degree

A.S. in Funeral Service Education

This degree prepares students for entry-level positions in funeral service. It is designed to meet the prerequisites for licensure and employment in the field of funeral service as funeral directors or embalmers.

The central objective of an American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) accredited program must be to educate students in every phase of funeral service so that program graduates are prepared for entry-level employment in funeral service. In support of this objective, a program must adopt at least the following Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of an accredited program, students will be able to:
1.) Explain the importance of funeral service professionals in developing relationships with the families and communities they serve.
2.) Identify standards of ethical conduct in funeral service practice.
3.) Interpret how federal, state, and local laws apply to funeral service in order to ensure compliance.
4.) Apply principles of public health and safety in the handling and preparation of human remains.
5.) Demonstrate technical skills in embalming and restorative art that are necessary for the preparation and handling of human remains.
6.) Demonstrate skills required for conducting arrangement conferences, visitations, services, and ceremonies.
7.) Describe the requirements and procedures for burial, cremation, and other accepted forms of final disposition of human remains.
8.) Describe methods to address the grief-related needs of the bereaved.
9.) Explain management skills associated with operating a funeral establishment.
10.) Demonstrate verbal and written communication skills and research skills needed for funeral service practice.

The Funeral Service Education associate degree program at American River College is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), 992 Mantua Pike, Suite 108, Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097 (816) 233-3747. Web: www.abfse.org.

NOTE: All courses, including general education, require a grade of "C" or better, and the student must register to take the National Board Examination graduation.

The annual passage rate of first-time takers on the National Board Examination (NBE) for the most recent three-year period for this institution and all ABFSE accredited funeral service education programs is posted on the ABFSE website (https://www.abfse.org/html/dir-ca.html).

National Board Examination scores, graduation rates, and employment rates for this and other ABFSE-accredited programs are available at www.abfse.org. To request a printed copy of this program’s scores and rates, go to Health and Education 770 or by email at rosev@arc.losrios.edu or by telephone at (916) 484-8145.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Degree Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
Pre-FSE Semester:
BIOL 304	Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology	4
FSE 300	Introduction to Funeral Service	2
1st Semester (Spring):
CHEM 130	Chemistry for Funeral Service	4
FSE 310	Funeral Directing I	3
FSE 320	Funeral Service Law and Ethics	3
FSE 335	Funeral Service Management	3
BUS 105	Business Mathematics (3)	3¹
or MATH 300	Introduction to Mathematical Ideas (3)
Summer Semester (1st):
FSE 340	Pathology for Funeral Service	2
2nd Semester (Fall):
ANTH 310	Cultural Anthropology	3²
BIOL 130	Microbiology for Funeral Service	3
ENGL C1000	Academic Reading and Writing (3)	3³
or ENGL C1000H	Academic Reading and Writing - Honors (3)
FSE 312	Funeral Directing II	3
FSE 330	Merchandising in the Funeral Service Industry	3
ACCT 101	Fundamentals of College Accounting	3
3rd Semester (Spring):
BUS 340	Business Law	3
FSE 350	Restorative Art	3.5
FSE 360	Embalming I	4
RLST 301	Introduction to World Religions	3⁴
ETHNS 300	Introduction to Ethnic Studies	3⁵
Summer Semester (2nd):
COMM C1000	Introduction to Public Speaking (3)	3
or COMM 331	Group Discussion (3)
4th Semester (Fall):
FSE 297	Practicum in Funeral Service Education	5
FSE 365	Embalming II	2
FSE 370	Funeral Service Counseling	3
PSYC 390	Psychology of Death and Dying	3
Total Units:		74.5

¹or any 3-unit course meeting ARC GE Area L2 Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning.

²or any 3-unit course meeting ARC GE Area L4 Social and Behavioral Sciences.

³or any 3-unit course meeting ARC GE Area L1A English Composition.

⁴or any 3-unit course meeting ARC GE Area L3 Arts and Humanities.

⁵or any 3-unit course meeting ARC GE Area L6 Ethnic Studies.

The Funeral Service Education Associate in Science (A.S.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, and either (a) the Local General Education Pattern or (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC), plus sufficient electives for a total of at least 60 units. See ARC graduation requirements.

Enrollment Eligibility

To be eligible for enrollment in the program, the student must meet the following criteria:

Graduation from an accredited high school (graduates from outside the United States must have transcripts evaluated by an approved independent agency), or successful completion of the General Educational Development (GED) Test or California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE).
Completion of, or in process of completing FSE 300 and BIOL 304 with grades of "C" or better in the pre-FSE semester. Students who completed BIOL 102 prior to Fall 2025 can use the course to meet the pre-FSE requirement.
Minimum cumulative college GPA of 2.0.
A Curriculum Planning Summary Sheet completed by an ARC counselor and dated within the semester the enrollment packet is submitted.
A completed enrollment application.

Enrollment Process

Eligible students are selected for the program according to the following steps:

Pre-enrollment applications to the program may be obtained from the Health and Education Division Office, the Coordinator of the Funeral Service Education program, or at https://arc.losrios.edu/academics/programs-and-majors/funeral-service-education. The Funeral Service Education program currently accepts students once per year for the Spring semester which begins in January. The deadline to submit the application is by the last Friday in November.
Only students who meet the enrollment requirements and follow the enrollment procedures will be considered for the program.
Selection is based on a random selection process among eligible applicants should the number of applicants exceed available space in the program.
Students admitted to the Funeral Service Education program are required to have a physical examination, laboratory and licensing agencies inoculations, drug screen, and background check by the completion of the first semester of the program. Students are responsible for any costs incurred related to meeting the health requirements.
If a minimum number of qualified applicants are not received, enrollment will be delayed until the following semester, at which time applicants will be required to reapply.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

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 the 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.

Career Information

The student is eligible to take the National Board Exam and state board examination to become a licensed funeral director in California. The student also meets the criteria to take the state embalmer's examination. As an accredited mortuary college, our program goals and objectives are as follows: ·To prepare students to be members of a human services profession ·To prepare students to be members of the community in which they serve ·To be participants in the relationship between bereaved families and those engaged in the funeral service profession ·To offer professional knowledge of and compliance with federal, state, provincial/territorial, and local regulatory guidelines ·To be sensitive to the responsibility for public health, safety, and welfare in caring for human remains

Funeral Service Education (FSE) Courses

FSE 295 Independent Studies in Funeral Service Education

Units:1 - 3
Prerequisite:None.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

FSE 297 Practicum in Funeral Service Education

Units:5
Hours:18 hours LEC; 216 hours LAB
Prerequisite:BUS 340, FSE 350, and FSE 360 with grades of "C" or better
Corequisite:FSE 365 and 370
Enrollment Limitation:Students must show proof they have completed all general education and competency requirements for graduation. Students must show proof that they have created a student exam portal with the National Board Exam (The Conference) and that they have paid the fees associated with these exams.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides an opportunity to apply instruction in funeral service education to real-world practice in the community. Students participate in an off-site lab experience program and approved off-campus preceptor sites. A portion of this course may be offered in a TBA component of 27-54 hours, which may include embalming, preparation, or documentation. In the first two weeks of the course, students will be required to show proof that they have created a student testing portal with the National Board Exam (The Conference), as well as paid for both their Arts and Sciences exams, which will be taken in the last two weeks of the course.

FSE 298 Work Experience in Funeral Services

Units:0.5 - 4
Hours:27 - 216 hours LAB
Prerequisite:None.
Enrollment Limitation:Before students can participate in the Work Experience program, Los Rios Community College District must have a signed Employer Agreement on file with the student’s employer. If the employer already has an active agreement with the district (viewable at losrios.edu/wexpemployeragreement), no further action is required. In addition, students must have a paid or unpaid internship, volunteer position, or job that aligns with their career goals and a cooperating worksite supervisor who will sign all required course documents. Dual enrollment students are not permitted to enroll in Work Experience courses. Students are advised to consult with the Funeral Services Department faculty to review specific certificate and degree work experience requirements.
Advisory:ENGL C1000, ENGL C1000H, or ESLW 340
General Education:Local GE L7B
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides students with opportunities to reflect on their current skills, knowledge and abilities and explore how these are work assets and how these can be enhanced and/or developed to increase employability within the funeral services field. It is designed for students interested in work experience and/or internships in associate degree level or certificate occupational programs. Course content includes understanding the application of education to the workforce, completion of Title 5 required forms which document the student's progress and hours spent at an approved work site, and developing workplace skills and competencies.

During the semester, the student is required to complete 27 hours of related work experience for 0.5 unit. An additional 27 hours of related work experience is required for each additional 0.5 units.

Students new to Work Experience will be required to engage weekly while returning participants may meet individually with the instructor as needed. All students are required to attend the first course meeting.

Students may take up to 16 units total across all Work Experience course offerings. This course may be taken up to four times. Students are encouraged to develop new or expanded learning objectives in consultation with their employer when the course is repeated. Only one Work Experience course may be taken per semester.

FSE 299 Experimental Offering in Funeral Service Education

Units:0.5 - 4
Prerequisite:None.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is the experimental courses description.

FSE 300 Introduction to Funeral Service

Units:2
Hours:36 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is a survey of the history of the funeral service industry and a comprehensive overview of the field of funeral service. It emphasizes the role and skills of the funeral service practitioner. This course provides insight into the funeral service industry and the career opportunities available. Field trips or interviews may be required.

FSE 310 Funeral Directing I

Units:3
Hours:36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
Prerequisite:FSE 300 with a grade of "C" or better
Corequisite:CHEM 130 and FSE 320
Enrollment Limitation:Acceptance into the Funeral Service Education Program.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course introduces the general practices of funeral directing. It focuses on the sociological phenomena that affect all the elements of funeral service including cultural differences, family structures, and factors of change that relate to funeralization. It also includes notification of death, transfer and disposition of bodies, arrangement conferences, pre-planned funerals, and post-arrangement follow-up. Field trips may be required. A portion of this course may be offered in a TBA component of 27-54 hours which may include embalming, preparation, or documentation.

FSE 312 Funeral Directing II

Units:3
Hours:36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
Prerequisite:FSE 310 and 320 with grades of "C" or better
Corequisite:BIOL 130 and FSE 330
Enrollment Limitation:Student must be enrolled in the Funeral Service Education program to enroll in this course
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course introduces the basic philosophies of a cross-section of religious and ethnic funeral practices and the role of the funeral practitioner in directing each type. It also includes procedures for fraternal, military, and celebrity funerals. A portion of this course may be offered in a TBA component of 27-54 hours which may include embalming, preparation, or documentation.

FSE 320 Funeral Service Law and Ethics

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Corequisite:CHEM 130 and FSE 310
Enrollment Limitation:Acceptance into the Funeral Service Education Program.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course introduces law and the judicial system as they pertain to the funeral industry. Topics include sources of law, the legal status of a dead human body, the duty of burial, rights to control funeral arrangements and final disposition, liability for funeral expenses, torts involving the dead human body and the funeral director, wills, estates, probate, cemeteries, crematories, and state and federal laws and regulations. Personal and professional ethics that guide decisions and actions in the proper treatment of the dead are also included.

FSE 330 Merchandising in the Funeral Service Industry

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:FSE 310 and 320 with grades of "C" or better
Corequisite:BIOL 130 and FSE 312
Enrollment Limitation:Acceptance into the Funeral Service Education Program.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course introduces merchandising as it applies to the funeral service profession. The curriculum is divided into two main sections. The first covers construction and features of caskets, outer burial containers, and other funeral-related products. The second section examines methods of pricing, display, presentation, and control of funeral merchandise. Field trips, in-person or virtual, may be required.

FSE 335 Funeral Service Management

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Enrollment Limitation:Acceptance into the Funeral Service Education Program.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course introduces the basic principles of management as they apply to the practice of the funeral profession. It explores the role and function of an effective manager, emphasizing the functions of planning, organizing, motivating, directing, and controlling. Specific areas of funeral service practice and managerial guidelines for those areas are covered. Topics also include management theory as it relates to funeral service practice. Field trips, in-person or virtual, may be required.

FSE 340 Pathology for Funeral Service

Units:2
Hours:36 hours LEC
Prerequisite:CHEM 130 with a grade of "C" or better
Enrollment Limitation:Acceptance into the Funeral Service Education program.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course offers a study of pathological disease conditions and how they affect various parts of the body. It emphasizes particular conditions that relate to or affect the embalming or restorative art process.

FSE 350 Restorative Art

Units:3.5
Hours:54 hours LEC; 27 hours LAB
Prerequisite:None.
Corequisite:FSE 360
Enrollment Limitation:Acceptance into the Funeral Service Education program.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course introduces the techniques of creating an acceptable physical appearance of the deceased for the benefit of the survivors. Topics include the study of facial features, cosmetics, and restorative treatment for a variety of situations faced by the practitioner.

FSE 360 Embalming I

Units:4
Hours:54 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
Prerequisite:CHEM 130 with a grade of "C" or better
Corequisite:FSE 350
Enrollment Limitation:Acceptance into the Funeral Service Education program.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course introduces the phenomenon of death in the human body. It includes the processes of preservation, restoration, and sanitation in treating the dead human body. Field trips may be required. A portion of this course may be offered in a TBA component of 27-54 hours which may include embalming, preparation, or documentation.

FSE 365 Embalming II

Units:2
Hours:36 hours LEC
Prerequisite:FSE 350 and 360 with grades of "C" or better
Corequisite:FSE 297 and 370
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is a continuation of FSE 360. It is the study of vascular anatomy, case analysis, the selection and injection of embalming fluids, and treatment of specific conditions requiring special attention.

FSE 370 Funeral Service Counseling

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:FSE 350 and 360 with grades of "C" or better
Corequisite:FSE 297 and 365
Enrollment Limitation:Student must be enrolled in the Funeral Service Education program to enroll in this course.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course examines communication skills and the role of the funeral director as facilitator, counselor, and caregiver. Topics include specific communication and counseling techniques as they are applied in funeral service practice as well as normal and abnormal grief reactions, children and death, crisis intervention counseling, and dealing with stress and burnout. Field trips, in-person or virtual, may be required.