(NAPSA)—With an aging American public, the need for qualified funeral service professionals will only increase in the coming years. Therefore, much like nursing, funeral service will continue to be a source of solid job opportunities over the next five to 10 years. Funeral directors provide compassionate andindividualized professional services to meet the needs of families facing the death of a loved one. Their career satisfaction comes not only from the workitself, but also from helping families during a devastating time. Funeral directors make a difference in their communities and take great pride in what they do. Contrary to popular belief, a funeral director’s primary job is to work with the living. A licensed funeral director helps people create a meaningful funeral experience, arranging details of the funeral and handling procedures that will allow families to begin grieving. He or she must besensitive to families’ needs at all times and knowledgeable about various cultural andreligious funeraltraditions. Funeral directors transfer the deceased from the place of death and prepare the body in accordance with family wishes and requirementsof the law. Most are also licensed embalmers, but not all practice embalming. They are also responsible for securing information for legal documents and for filing death certificates, death benefit claims, and obituary placement. The educational and licensing requirements for becoming a funeral director vary from state to state. However, most states require: A high school diploma or equivalent. An associate degree, a portion of which is in funeral service education. Mortuary science programs are available throughout the U.S. and typically last two years. Schools must be accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE). An apprenticeship ranging from one to two years. Passing the national board and/or state licensing examination. You must obtain license to become a funeral director and/or embalmerin every state with the exception of Colorado. Applicants must be at least 21 years old. NFDA funeral homes around the country are participating in a national consumer education campaign, For A Life Worth Celebrating, in an effort to help consumers gain a better understanding of funeral service, and so they can make wise and informed decisions. To learn more about funeral directing as a career, visit the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) Web site at www.nfda.org. There you can find more information on careers in funeral service, contact information for NFDA funeral directors in your area, mortuary schools, and state funeral directors associations. Speaking with professionals from various funeral service organizations is the best way to explore whether funeral directing is the right career choice for you.
