Practicum & Work Experience Requirements
You must complete additional requirements in order to participate in Embalming Practicum and 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.
Effective Fall 2022
Mount Royal University partners with Synergy Gateway Inc. to provide support and clearance for Embalming Practicum and Work Experience requirements. These requirements are non-academic certifications, courses, forms, and documents that must be completed for each year of study in the Funeral Service diploma. You are responsible for the costs associated with completing each requirement and for ensuring each requirement has been completed and submitted for review by the required deadlines. Embalming Practicum and Work Experience requirements must remain valid and current for the duration of your program of student.
You will receive a package with detailed instructions and timelines after you have been admitted to the program.
Embalming Practicum Requirements
Students in the Funeral Service Diploma are required to complete an Embalming Practicum course which involves participation in instructor-led embalming labs within Calgary funeral homes.
You are encouraged to take the Embalming Practicum course early in your program.
Embalming labs for the Embalming Practicum are held in Calgary. Out-of-town students complete their Embalming Practicum along with Restorative Art II during a Calgary-based Intensive Institute (condensed delivery format in Fall or Spring); students from the Calgary area typically complete Embalming Practicum during the Fall-Winter semesters.
Please refer to the Program Planning Guide and Sample Schedule on the Funeral Service Diploma Plan Your Studies page for further details.
Work Experience Requirements
You will complete two work experience courses as part of the Funeral Service Diploma program. Work experience can be started in any semester and may be completed at the same time as other courses or after finishing your academic courses.
- Students are responsible to secure their own work experience placement through employment or volunteering in a licensed funeral home.
- Relocation may be required.
- 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).
- Contact the Funeral Program team when a placement is secured during the semester.
In order to participate in Work Experience I and Work Experience II, you will require the following:
- 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 their own expense. Failure to do so may impact the student's ability to complete the program requirements or participate in the course.
- Driver's Abstract may be required by the Funeral Home employer. Failure to do so may impact the student's ability to complete the program requirements or participate in the course.
- Police Information Check may be required by the Funeral Home employer. A criminal record may affect your ability to obtain a Funeral Director or Embalmer License.
- 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
- Assisting with embalming cases (students must take Embalming Practicum course before being able to document cases on Alberta Decedent Care Logs used for professional licensing)
- Documenting their participation in 25 funeral arrangement conference (Work Experience II course requirement)
Students residing outside of Alberta will need to consult with their provincial or national Regulatory Body for information on completing work experience courses in their location.