At Lake Washington Institute of Technology in Kirkland, Washington, the Funeral Service program offers two Associate Degrees in Funeral Service Education (FSE) and Funeral Directing and Management (FDM). The FSE program prepares students for entry-level proficiency as embalmers and funeral directors, and the FDM program is specifically designed for students who want to become funeral directors only.
If you want to be both a funeral director and an embalmer, the Funeral Service Education AAS degree is the right choice for you. Upon completion of the coursework, you can take the National Board Examination for licensure.
The Funeral Directing and Management (FDM) degree is exclusively designed for students who want to become funeral directors and want to focus solely on funeral directing and management. This degree does not offer any embalming or funeral science courses and is tailored to the state of Washington. Graduates of this program may only sit for the Washington State Board Licensure Exam. This degree is offered fully online.
Start your journey towards becoming a professional funeral director with Lake Washington Institute of Technology. Choose the program that best suits your career goals and study on-campus or online to fit your busy schedule. Apply today and take the first step towards your new career!
Funeral Service Education program educational requirements are available in the College Catalog.
The Funeral Service Education AAS program is offered in an online format. On-campus labs will be required in the last quarter of instruction for one week. Additional off-site lab participation is also required. See below for details.
If you are interested in this online track you must complete the following additional requirements:
Students are responsible for travel, including food/lodging.
Entry into the Funeral Directing and Management AAS requires completion of LWTech's online application.
Note: The Funeral Directing and Management AAS will start in Fall 2023.
All those interested are invited to come learn about LWTech’s Funeral Service programs. You will learn about the degrees available and the jobs they prepare graduates for. We will explain the application processes and answer questions.
May 19, 2023
10 a.m.
June 6, 2023
5 p.m.
July 14, 2023
10 a.m.
August 18, 2023
12 p.m.
Virtual via Microsoft Teams
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.
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:
See National Board Examination scores, graduation and employment rates.
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:
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.
The Funeral Directing and Management AAS program that prepares individuals for professional licensure as funeral directors and as managers of funeral homes, cemeteries, and related services. Includes instruction in the sociology of death and dying, psychology of grief and grief counseling, history of funeral service, funeral direction, business law, funeral service law, funeral home management, accounting and related computer operations, and funeral services marketing and merchandising.
In support of this objective the following are the Program Learning Outcomes:
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.
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.
Gifted body program accepts donations on the following dates:
For more information call (425) 739-8306
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.
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.
LWTech has not made a determination that the Funeral Service Education curriculum meets educational requirements for licensure/certification outside of Washington State. We encourage students who plan to work out-of-state to check relevant local licensure/certification requirements.
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Campus Hours
Mon-Thurs, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday, Closed to the public
Sat-Sun, Closed