Funeral Service Education
The Funeral Service Education (FSE) program at Lake Washington Institute of Technology, located in Kirkland, Washington, offers a Certificate of Completion, an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) and a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) Funeral Service Education.
The Certificate of Completion in Funeral Attendant prepares students for employment in funeral service as a funeral ambassador or funeral attendant. Students will develop the professional skills necessary to work in various areas of the funeral home that do not require state licensure. The FSE AAS degree prepares students to achieve entry-level proficiency as embalmers and funeral directors.
The BAS in Funeral Service Education will provide students applicable knowledge of issues and trends currently related to funeral service. The degree will have many opportunities for professional and personal growth, while empowering students to become innovative leaders in the funeral service industry. Funeral service professionals provide counsel, service, and emotional support for those who have experienced the death of a loved one. Students also learn how to manage a successful business in the high-tech global economy.
Funeral Service Education AAS Is Now Offered Online
The AAS degree in Funeral Service Education is now offered online, as well as in-person on-campus in Kirkland, WA. This pilot program is offered to Washington State students only and space is limited. On campus labs are required in the last quarter of instruction for one week. View Admission Requirements for AAS program below for more details about our online program.
Learn More About Funeral Service Education
Careers with a Funeral Service Education Degree
Graduates may find employment in: crematory and cemetery operations, funeral home management in family owned businesses and corporate business. It will also allow for employment in other Health Sciences professions that desire funeral industry experience.
Graduates of the Funeral Service Education program will demonstrate a factual, conceptual, and applied understanding of:
- Funeral service marketing and merchandising
- Business management practices
- Small business management
- Funeral service counseling
- Regulatory compliance
- Cemetery and crematory operations
- Funeral service sciences
Our faculty believe that success in the program requires a commitment of time and energy to your studies. To help with this requirement, the college offers an advisor to assist with planning your path and career goals.
Program Learning Outcomes
The central objective of the Funeral Service Education AAS degree at Lake Washington Institute of Technology is to educate students in every phase of funeral service so that program graduates are prepared for entry-level employment in funeral service.
In support of this objective the following are the 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
See National Board Examination scores, graduation and employment rates.
Podcasts/Interviews
- May 17, 2022 - Member Talks! by WA State Funeral Directors Association: w/LWTech
- September 28, 2021 - Washington State Funeral Director Association Member Talks: Jennie Fredrickson at 2021 CANA Convention
- August 31, 2021 - Washington State Funeral Director Association Member Talks: Kelsey Hasson
Videos
- March 18, 2021 - Washington State Funeral Director Association Member Talks: Please Welcome Jennie Fredrickson
- Washington State Funeral Director Association Member Talks: with Funeral Service Student, Bridget Frost
- National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) Podcast: A Brush With Death, Class of 2021
Additional Funeral Service Education Program Information
At LWTech we welcome all students as an open enrollment college and we are committed to your inclusion at the college. The Funeral Service Education program of study leads to an industry or specific employers that may require a full or partial background check as well as a drug test before you start the job.
Advance your funeral service career with an applied baccalaureate degree. Students with a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Funeral Service Education have many opportunities for professional and personal growth. Students will gain applicable knowledge of the issues and trends currently related to funeral service. Coursework will empower LWTech students to become innovative leaders in the funeral service industry.
The Bachelor of Applied Science degree will be offered in a distant learning (online) format. Instruction will include management, leadership, professional communication, and much more.
Admission to the applied bachelor's degree is competitive. See the below requirements for admissions information and requirements.
Entry into the Funeral Service program, requires completion of LWTech's online application, as well as the application to the BAS in Funeral Service Education.
BAS Prerequisites
Applicants will be selected on competitive basis. The following requirements must be met before applying to the BAS in Funeral Service Program:
- Must be a graduate from an ABFSE accredited Funeral Service Program
- Earned an overall minimum GPA of 2.5
BAS in FSE Curriculum Information
BAS Application
Admission Deadline
Spring 2023 Priority
February 13, 2023
Financial Aid Priority Deadline
Spring Quarter 2023
Entry Date
Next Entry
Spring Quarter 2023
Application Fee
$50 non-refundable
Additional Application Information
Application Preview
To apply for the BAS degree, you must create a Self Service Center account. You may preview the BAS application by downloading a PDF of the first page.
Entry into the Funeral Service Education AAS program requires completion of LWTech's online application.
- Filling out the online application will allow you to receive your student ID and an LWTech issued ID
- You will not be able to fill out the FSE AAS application without completing this step.
AAS Prerequisites
High school completion or GED or satisfactory completion of nine semester based or 13.5 quarter based post-secondary credits, exclusive of developmental courses.
Funeral Service Education program admissions prerequisites are available in the College Catalog.
AAS Online Program Pilot
Starting this Fall 2022, the AAS degree in Funeral Service Education will be offered online, as well as in-person on-campus in Kirkland, WA. This pilot program will be offered to Washington State students only and space is limited. On campus labs will be required in the last quarter of instruction for one week.
If you are interested in this online track you must
- Contact Associate Dean Lisa Meehan via email Lisa.Meehan@lwtech.edu or call (425) 739-8155
- Complete the online questionnaire
-
Have your high school or previous college directly mail official transcripts to:*
Enrollment Services
Lake Washington Institute of Technology
11605 132nd Avenue NE
Kirkland, WA 98034*To comply with the American Board of Funeral Service Education Standard 9.2.3.a Transcript of high school or college work, received directly from the institution from which the credits were received.
This academic program is designed to meet specific state or professional needs. It
is not accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education. Students graduating
from this program are not eligible to take the National Board Examination or any state
board examination for which graduation from an ABFSE accredited program is required.
Entry into the Funeral Service Education Certificate program requires completion of
LWTech's online application.
Additional Admission Considerations
Not Sure Where to Start?
Program Information Sessions
Information sessions and individual advising is available and encouraged before applying to the program.
Information Session Dates
January 19, 2023
12 p.m.
February 13, 2023
5 p.m.
March 7, 2023
9 a.m.
April 6, 2023
12 p.m.
May 19, 2023
10 a.m.
June 6, 2023
5 p.m.
July 14, 2023
10 a.m.
August 18, 2023
12 p.m.
Location
Virtual via Teams Meeting.
Microsoft Teams Help
- Teams can be used on a computer, tablet, or smartphone or you can call in.
- Teams does not require registering for an account.
- Visit Teams Support for more information and help videos.
LWTech Information Sessions
Not sure what program you want to apply to? Check out LWTech's general information sessions and weekly tours by going to LWTech.edu/Visit.
Accreditation
The Associate of Applied Science in Funeral Service Education at Lake Washington Institute of Technology is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), 992 Mantua Pike, Suite 108, Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097 (816) 233-3747. Web: abfse.org
The certificate of completion is not accredited by the ABFSE. This academic program is designed to meet specific state or professional needs. It is not accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education. Students graduating from this program are not eligible to take the National Board Examination or any state board examination for which graduation from an ABFSE accredited program is required.
All FSE faculty are held to rigorous employment standards that include following both FSE professional ethics and State of WA requirements regardless of classroom modality.
Gifted Body Program Acceptance Dates
Gifted body program accepts donations on the following dates:
- August 1 - November 20
- December 1 - March 15
For more information call (425) 739-8306
Explore Careers and Paths in Funeral Service Education
To be eligible for employment, graduates must also take and pass the National Board Examination.
To learn more about transferring to another college or university, please visit our Transferring from LWTech page.
