Post-Admission Program Requirements
You must complete additional post-admission program requirements for the Funeral Director certificate and to participate in work experience courses. Some requirements may take time to obtain (i.e., Non-Graduated Class 5 Driver's License, completion of immunization series) so you are advised to plan accordingly. Your course registration options will be impacted if requirements are incomplete.Work Experience Requirements
You will complete two work experience courses as part of the Funeral Director certificate program. Work experience courses can be completed at any point in the program.
- Students are responsible to secure a work experience location. Mount Royal does have resources to assist you in the search. Career Services can help you with your job search, resume critique, interview skills and more.
- Students employed in a funeral home at the time of admission are encouraged to register in work experience in their Semester 1 (refer to the Program Planning Guide on Plan Your Studies for prerequisites).
- Work experience course requirements may be completed as an employee or as a volunteer (paid or unpaid) of the licensed funeral home.
- Contact the Funeral Program team for registration guidance when a work experience location is secured during the semester.
- Work experience courses are completed at a licensed funeral home under the supervision of a licensed funeral director. Work experience courses may be completed in your community however, relocation may be required.
Completing Work Experience Courses Outside of Alberta- Students who reside outside of Alberta or intend to complete their work experience course(s) outside of Alberta must contact their provincial regulatory body before registering in the work experience course(s).
- The provincial regulatory body will advise students on their eligibility to complete their work experience course(s) in their location (province) and if any provincial restrictions may apply.
- Students may also contact the program advisor for more details and assistance.
In order to participate in Work Experience I and Funeral Director Work Experience II, you may be required to provide the following to employers:
- Non-Graduated Class 5 Driver's License - students preparing for work experience courses may be required to provide a non-graduated Class 5 driver's license to their Funeral Home employer, at your own expense. Failure to do so may impact your ability to complete the program requirements or participate in the course.
- Drivers Abstract may also be required. Failure to do so may impact your ability to complete the program requirements or participate in the course.
- Police Information Check - students may be required to provide a current Police Information Check to their Funeral Home employer, at their own expense. It is each employer's decision to accept or reject a student for work experience placement based upon the results of a police information or other background checks.
Activities and tasks that students perform during Work Experience courses are at the discretion of the funeral home and may include:
- Taking First Calls
- Assisting with compilation of vital statistics and completion of forms
- Assisting with coordination of funeral service / celebration details
- Assisting with visitations, prayer services, funeral services, cremation and cemetery/graveside services
- Observing or participating in at-need and pre-need funeral arrangement conferences
- Setting up cemetery and graveside services
- Driving funeral vehicles
- Assisting with transfers and removals
- Performing parking lot duties and assisting with vehicle maintenance
- Assisting in funeral home maintenance
- Understanding and complying with the various laws and regulations which govern funeral service
- Assisting with cremation-related tasks
- Assisting with cosmetic applications and casketing details
In addition, Funeral Director Work Experience II students will also:
- Take on increased responsibility with the funeral home and when working with families
- Gain experience with at-need and pre-need funeral arrangements
- Document their participation in 25 funeral arrangement conference