Career in funeral services "like a hundred jobs in one" but "very rewarding"

While many 16-year-olds took their first steps into employment at fast food restaurants or grocery stores, Riley Zajic started a path that nobody - not even she - expected when a family friend offered her a job at their funeral home business in Wainwright, Alberta.

Her duties were light to start - mostly painting, lawn maintenance and generally helping out. Eventually, Zajic earned enough on-the-job experience to become a funeral attendant, which she did for a number of years until deciding to further her career by enrolling in the Funeral Service Education diploma program offered through Mount Royal’s Faculty of Continuing Education.

The Funeral Service Education programs integrate theory and hands-on experiential learning; students complete supervised practicum sessions and gain work experience. As a mostly online program, students may be able to complete their work experience in their own community but relocation may be required to find a suitable placement. 

After talking to her colleagues - many of whom had completed the Funeral Service Education program at Mount Royal - about her education plans, Zajic decided that Mount Royal was the right fit for her. 

Alongside her desire to help people, Zajic says, “I think I was drawn to this job because it's like a hundred different jobs in one, especially working for a smaller operation. You take care of the maintenance of the building, you take care of families, fill out paperwork…you’re a graphic designer making cards, you're an artist putting on makeup and cosmetizing. There are just so many different things to do every single day and it never gets dull.”

Mount Royal’s diploma program covers a diverse range of topics from arranging meaningful funeral ceremonies for families to embalming skills, restorative arts, stretcher training, casket education and much more. Zajic points to the quality of instruction and the learning opportunities at Mount Royal as a critical part of helping her prepare to advance in her career. 

“Every one of the instructors is an expert in their field. They're very experienced and very knowledgeable,” she says. “The teachers really are exceptional and help you in any way that they can to make it easier for you. They help you transition into working instead of just reading about a topic. I'm very grateful that they take the time out of their day and help students.” Further, she tells, the work experiences and the courses are exceptional. She also gives credit to her supportive colleagues, and everyone she encounters within funeral services, for their compassion, support and understanding.

With her years of work experience and one class left to go before she completes the diploma program and can write the exam to become a licensed funeral director, Zajic now lives in Edmonton and works at Park Memorial Funeral Home as an apprentice funeral director and embalmer. In this role, she works with families to plan and carry out funeral ceremonies for various cultures and religions. 

“I would say it's a very rewarding job. People say it takes a special kind of person, but I believe it just takes someone willing to put in the work and the effort, and to be respectful and professional.

There's no greater feeling than a family member looking you in the eye and saying how grateful they are to you for helping them,” she says. “It's a boost of confidence and makes you feel more confident in your choices and choosing that job. It definitely takes time and energy, but it is very much worth it.”

Mount Royal offers three programs under Funeral Service Education. Explore the three options, compare licensing requirements, costs, curriculum and and courses by visiting the program page.