Funeral Services

‡ Prerequisite required.

Program curriculum requirements are subject to change.

Current MATC students should consult their Academic Adviser for specific curriculum requirements.

Search for available classes now (link) to see course descriptions, class times and locations.

Already a student? You can visit Self-Service (link) and choose Student Planning to register for classes.

Deadlines and important dates can be found on:
Cost & Aid Deadlines

Also, you can find dates and deadlines on the MATC Events Calendar

American Board of Funeral Service Education Program Learning Outcomes

• 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.

The demand for licensed funeral directors and embalmers continues to grow. Graduates of this program have a high likelihood of employment in a variety of locations and work settings.

This Funeral Service degree program is recognized by the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Examining Board.

Possible Careers

Funeral Director
Embalmer 

A petition process is required for admittance to this program. 

The petition process in currently being updated, more information will be forthcoming, and the new petition window for the Funeral Service Program will be February 2nd, 2021.

A minimum of 24 college credits in areas specified by the state examining board are required for admission into the Funeral Service program. See an MATC Community & Human Services Pathway advisor for information.

B- (or higher) required in Business and Natural Sciences courses.

C (or higher) required in General Education courses.

The following are also required for admission:

• One year of high school-level biology and chemistry

Learn about scholarship opportunities here.

The Funeral Service associate degree program at Milwaukee Area Technical College - West Campus 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.

National Board Passage rates for this program are available on the Funeral Service Program webpage. National Board Examination pass rates, graduation rates and employment rates for this and other ABFSE-accredited programs are available at www.abfse.org in the Directory of Accredited Programs.

For more information about the program, contact: Gabriel Schauf, Funeral Service Program Coordinator, schaufg@matc.edu, 414-456-5320.

PROGRAM INFORMATION - Milwaukee Area Technical College