Education

How one would become a funeral director? 

Licensing requirements differ from province to province. In Ontario, a licensed funeral director requires a specific educational background. Application must be made to a Funeral Service Education program at a college recognized by the Bereavement Authority of Ontario(BAO), which is the licensing and regulatory body for the funeral service profession in Ontario.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?

Several admission requirements must be met for an applicant to be considered:

• The applicant must complete a period of work or observational experience in a funeral home prior to admission. During this period, the applicant must be exposed to a variety of funeral home duties;
•  During the first year of the program, students take courses in pathology, psychology of grief and business management;
•  In their second year, students undergo in-service training at a funeral home while completing eight correspondence assignments;
• Upon completion of the two-year program, students must successfully complete three examinations set by the Board. These examinations are: a practical examination (the student embalms a body in front of an examiner); an objective examination (multiple choice questions); and a subjective examination (written essay or "open" questions).

For more information on Ontario licensing requirements, please contact the Bereavement Authority of Ontario(BAO) at (647) 483-2645 or 1-844-493-6356

Funeral Service Colleges

In Ontario, two colleges offer recognized programs in Funeral Service Education. For more information on funeral service education programs, please contact the colleges directly.