Apr 26, 2025  
2025-2026 Course Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Course Catalog
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MOR 940 - Funeral Capstone

Credits: 1
Lecture Hours: 0
Lab Hours: 2
Practicum Hours: 0
Work Experience: 0
Course Type: Voc/Tech
This lab course will survey essential aspects of the funeral service profession.  Students will be on campus to demonstrate the various tasks required of a funeral director to include:  technical embalming skills, restorative art techniques for cosmetic applications, dressing, casketing and placing in state, funeral arrangement opportunities, setting up visitations, writing obituaries, planning services, and demonstrating verbal and written communication skills.
Prerequisite: Completion of all other Mortuary Science courses and consent of the Program Chair.
Corequisite: MOR 390  and MOR 941  
Competencies
 

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the licensure process, functions of the funeral director/embalmer
    1. Describe the duties and responsibilities of the funeral director and embalmer
    2. Explain the licensure process for funeral directors and embalmers
  2. Interpret how federal, state, and local laws apply to funeral service in order to ensure compliance.
    1. Utilize Federal Trade Commission-required price lists to present to families
    2. Utilize Federal Trade Commission-required Statement of Goods and Services Selected to present to families
    3. Present legal descriptions of the merchandise available to families
  3. Apply principles of public health and safety in the handling and preparation of human remains
    1. Utilize appropriate equipment to perform a transfer of remains.
    2. Utilize appropriate OSHA-approved steps to complete a transfer of remains
    3. Perform OSHA-approved steps during handling and embalming of deceased human remains.
  4. Incorporate technical skills in embalming that are necessary for the preparation and handling of human remains
    1. Analyze an embalming case
    2. Execute the embalming procedure
    3. Complete the procedures required to embalm a body.
  5. Demonstrate technical skills in restorative art that are necessary for the preparation and handling of human remains
    1. Demonstrate accurate knowledge of reconstructive procedures for restoring facial features
    2. Demonstrate appropriate application of cosmetics to a deceased human remains
    3. Utilize appropriate techniques for placing a decedent in state for identification or for public viewing
  6. Demonstrate skills required for conducting arrangement conferences, visitations, services, and ceremonies
    1. Present merchandise options available to families
    2. Present service options available to families
    3. Demonstrate appropriate displays of religious equipment for various religious visitations
    4. Prepare required documents including a death certificate,  Statement of Funeral Goods and Services
  7. Apply the requirements and procedures for burial, cremation, and other accepted forms of disposition of human remains
    1. Prepare an identification viewing for a decedent
    2. Present appropriate disposition options to include, burial, cremation, green burial and alkaline hydrolysis.
  8. Demonstrate verbal and written communication skills needed for funeral service practice
    1. Prepare an obituary for a decedent
    2. Demonstrate appropriate funeral service terminology
    3. Demonstrate appropriate professionalism skills including professional attire

Competencies Revised Date: AY2026



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