Best institutions to study Funeral Service and Mortuary Science
Any instructional program in funeral service and mortuary science not listed above.
3 U.S. institutions graduated 25 Funeral Service and Mortuary Science students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 12.0399, a specialization of Funeral Service and Mortuary Science (CIP 12.03), and leads most directly to the Funeral Home Managers occupation (BLS SOC 11-9171).
About Funeral Service and Mortuary Science programs
Any instructional program in funeral service and mortuary science not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Funeral Service and Mortuary Science program prepares students for careers in the funeral industry, focusing on the essential skills and knowledge required to support families during their time of loss. This program is ideal for individuals who are compassionate, detail-oriented, and interested in providing valuable services to their communities.
Students in this program will develop core competencies in areas such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework covers essential knowledge in customer service, administration, and the legal aspects of funeral services, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for the demands of the profession.
Credentials awarded
What Funeral Service and Mortuary Science graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years23 graduates / yr · 1 institution92%
- Associate's degree2 graduates / yr · 2 institutions8.0%
Graduates over time
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 24 |
| 2013 | 14 |
| 2014 | 24 |
| 2015 | 32 |
| 2016 | 26 |
| 2017 | 65 |
| 2018 | 23 |
| 2019 | 46 |
| 2020 | 53 |
| 2021 | 67 |
| 2022 | 42 |
| 2023 | 52 |
| 2024 | 28 |
| 2025 | 25 |
Top 3 institutions for Funeral Service and Mortuary Science, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Antilles School of Technical Careers San Juan, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 23 | 59% | $5,832 | $14,526 |
| 2 | North Central State College Mansfield, OHPublicAssociate's | 1 | 36% | — | — |
| 3 | Northwest State Community College Archbold, OHPublicAssociate's | 1 | 46% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Funeral Service and Mortuary Science field (CIP 12.03) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 2 states & territories
Where Funeral Service and Mortuary Science graduates come from. Each state links to all Funeral Service and Mortuary Science programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico | 1 | 23 | Antilles School of Technical Careers23 / yr |
| Ohio | 2 | 2 | North Central State College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-9171, Funeral Home Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Funeral Service and Mortuary Science program can pursue careers as Funeral Home Managers, Morticians, or Crematory Operators. The job outlook is positive, with an expected growth rate of 4.1% and approximately 2,600 annual openings. The median wage for this field is around $76,830, typically requiring an Associate's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 12.0399
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Funeral Home Managersprimary SOC 11-9171 | $78,790 | +4.1% About as fast as average | ~2,600 | Associate's degree |
Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers SOC 39-4031 | $55,010 | +3.1% About as fast as average | ~3,200 | Associate's degree |
Crematory Operators SOC 39-4012 | $43,650 | +3.3% About as fast as average | ~600 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Funeral Service and Mortuary Science programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Consult with families or friends of the deceased to arrange funeral details, such as obituary notice wording, casket selection, or plans for services.
- Schedule funerals, burials, or cremations.
- Deliver death certificates to medical facilities or offices to obtain signatures from legally authorized persons.
- Offer counsel and comfort to families and friends of the deceased.
- Monitor funeral service operations to ensure that they comply with applicable policies, regulations, and laws.
- Direct and supervise work of embalmers, funeral attendants, death certificate clerks, cosmetologists, or other staff.
Tools and technology used
Other Funeral Service and Mortuary Science specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Funeral Service and Mortuary Science (CIP 12.03).
Common questions
What degree will I earn from this program?+
You can earn an Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years or an Associate's degree.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Funeral Home Manager, Mortician, or Crematory Operator.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.1% and around 2,600 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Funeral Service and Mortuary Science?+
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science is CIP 12.0399 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Funeral Service and Mortuary Science (CIP 12.03). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in funeral service and mortuary science not listed above.
How many institutions offer Funeral Service and Mortuary Science programs?+
3 U.S. institutions reported Funeral Service and Mortuary Science graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 2 states & territories, awarding 25 credentials in the year. That is 0.9% of all Funeral Service and Mortuary Science graduates.
How much do Funeral Service and Mortuary Science graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Funeral Home Managers occupation, which Funeral Service and Mortuary Science most directly leads to, pays a median of $78,790 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Funeral Service and Mortuary Science field report median earnings of $14,526 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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