Practicum & Work Experience

Post-Admission Program Requirements

You must complete additional post-admission program requirements for the Funeral Service diploma and 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. Your course registration options will be impacted if requirements are incomplete.

For a full list of Post-Admission Program Requirements, view the Program Planning Guide on the Plan Your Studies page.

Embalming Practicum Requirements

Students in the Funeral Service Diploma are required to complete an Embalming Practicum course which involves participation in embalming skills training with classes held at the Advanced Techical Skills Simulation Laboratory (located at the University of Calgary) and 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 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 and/or embalmer. 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 Work Experience II, you may 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.

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
  • Assisting with embalming cases (students must take Embalming Practicum course before being able to document cases on Alberta Embalming Decedent Care Logs used for professional licensing)

   In addition, 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