Funeral Service Overview
This program prepares you for a career as a licensed funeral director and embalmer in a profession that demands compassion, dedication and creativity. Our rigorous curriculum trains students to become among the best funeral directors in the expanding death-care profession. Once accepted into the program, students are immersed in all facets of the funeral profession.
Students are provided a variety of unique learning opportunities through lectures, hands-on labs, field trips, seminars, guest speakers and internships.
Facilities include classrooms, state-of-the-art embalming and restorative art labs, arrangement conference room, merchandise selection room and funeral chapel.
Students who complete the program will earn an associate degree and be eligible to take the National Board Exam for funeral directors (required for licensure).
Coursework will include embalming, arranger training, grief studies, business management, religious funeral practices, regulatory compliance and more.
This program is offered as a partnership with Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC). Students complete one year at CVTC, then transfer to MATC to complete the degree.
Learn more about MATC
Earn credit for prior learning! Do you have previous educational or work experience in the field? You could be eligible to receive credit for prior learning.
Just the Facts
Funeral Service
64 Credit Associate Degree
Program Length
Two Years
(Second Year at MATC in Milwaukee)
Delivery Method
Face-to-Face, Online
Program Location
Eau Claire, Online
(Finished at MATC in Milwaukee)
Start Months
August, January, June
Next Start Date
June 9, 2025
Bloodborne Pathogens
Students in this program should be aware of the risks associated with bloodborne pathogens. Learn more.
Learn more about the cost of attendance.
Term 1
$ 2,815
Term 2
$ 2,311
Term 3
$ 2,855
Term 4
$ 3,013
Books
$ 515
What are estimated program costs? Estimated Total: $11,509
Career Opportunities
Funeral Director
Funeral Director/Embalmer
Licensed Funeral Director
Program Outcomes
CVTC graduates are ready for the workforce. Each year, we send our graduates the Graduate Follow-Up Survey asking several questions related to employment. Here are the program outcomes and job data.
$48K* Yearly Salary
Funeral Service professionals make an average starting salary of $48,335.
19 Regional Jobs
There are 19 job openings in the CVTC district for the Funeral Service industry.
* This wage is not specific to CVTC graduates. Wage estimates are based on entry-level positions and are gathered from Lightcast which is an economic modeling software that blends historical and projected industry and occupation trends within CVTC's 11-county district. Wage estimates are based on Occupational Employment Statistics and the American Community Survey.
Transfer
Credits to Other Institutions
Should you choose to continue your education after you leave CVTC, we have agreements in place with several institutions to ensure an easy transfer.
Program Courses
These are a few of the courses you will take in this program. Courses and the recommended sequence change from year to year; once you are enrolled in a program at CVTC you will be given a recommended course sequence that outlines what courses you should take and the order in which to take them.
You may search for available courses. If you are ever unsure of what courses to take, talk to your academic advisor. If you are looking for course information for previous years, check out our past catalogs.
Here are a few of the courses you can take in the Funeral Service program.
Sample Courses
General Anatomy & Physiology
Examines basic concepts of human anatomy and physiology as they relate to health sciences. Using a body systems approach, the course emphasizes the interrelationships between structure and function at the gross and microscopic levels of organization of the entire human body.
Microbiology
This course examines microbial structure, metabolism, genetics, growth, and the relationship between humans and microorganisms.
Laws, Rules and Regulations of Funeral Service
(Taken at MATC in Milwaukee.)
This course examines the legal responsibilities, duties, rights, and liabilities of the funeral director and funeral establishment.
Request More Information
Please provide your contact information and an Admissions Advisor will get back to you ASAP with more information about this program.
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Apply NowRelated Programs & Certificates
Whether you're looking to continue your learning to another program or to gain continuing education credit, CVTC offers a variety of learning opportunities for students.
Degrees & Diplomas
Nursing, Associate Degree
Certificates
Continue Your Learning
CVTC can help you achieve your learning goals whether you are looking to advance your career or enrich your personal life.
// Explore Continuing Ed OpportunitiesUnsure of which program you'd like to go into? Learn more about our Career Assessment to help narrow down your options.
Additional Admissions Resources
Admission Requirements
Each program requires specific requirements a student must meet to be considered for admissions to this program.
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We have compiled helpful tips and general information for students in this program.
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