Funeral 

Director

Funeral Directors are caring and expressive people, whose poise, tact and empathy make them a perfect fit to lead all aspects of a funeral service. 

As a Funeral Director, you are tasked with working with families to coordinate aspects of the funeral service—from preparing the body through to burial or cremation.  

This important role requires great care, as you must ensure that funeral rites are completed and remains are stored, handled and moved respectfully. You’ll work with families to determine what funeral journey works best for them.

What You'll Learn

  • How to plan and schedule funeral services 
  • How to preserve and prepare human remains 
  • How to coordinate burials and cremations 
  • How to speak to grieving families about funeral arrangements 
  • How to manage funeral home operations and staff 

Key Job Skills

  • Funeral practices, law and service ethics 
  • Human anatomy and physiology  
  • Safety, sanitation and hygiene practices 
  • Communications and business management  
  • Embalming theory 

Technical Training

To get certified, you will need to sign up for technical training at an approved training provider in addition to on-the-job training. 

Visit Trades Training BC and EducationPlannerBC for a comprehensive list of what programs are available in your trade at public and non-public schools. 

For a list of all approved non-public training providers, visit this page.

Technical Training 8 weeks over 2 years
Work-Based Training
3600 HOURS
General Skills
Creative Expressive Precise Visual

No challenge process is currently available for this certification. This decision is currently under review. For further information please contact the BC Funeral Association on 1-250-592-3213 and at info [at] bcfunerals.com (info[at]bcfunerals[dot]com).

Program Updates

  • August 2024: Instructor requirements for this program were updated. Please see the Program Update for more details.

Program Information

Program Profile

Occupational Description

Funeral Directors negotiate or enter into funeral contracts, arrange, conduct or direct bereavement rites and ceremonies, arrange for the interment or cremation of human remains, transfer human remains or direct or supervise the transfer of human remains, and care for or prepare human remains prior to disposition, other than the preservation or restoration of human remains.  

Note: The British Columbia Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act requires that an i

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Exam Information and Resources

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