As the nation’s baby boomer population ages, the annual death rate across the United States is expected to rise, reports the U.S. Census Bureau. This means the demand for funeral service professionals – including morticians – is rising at record-rates.

If you are interested in becoming a mortician in Connecticut, rest assured that you will be pursuing a thriving, rewarding career path. Morticians – also referred to as undertakers, embalmers, and sometimes funeral directors – help grieving families plan funerals for their loved ones. They take care of the crucial details of a funeral service, such as preparing bodies for a ceremony (whether burial or cremation), performing rites, coordinating transportation, and arranging for the final disposition of the deceased. Morticians make a huge difference in the lives of families when they need it most, and are therefore some of the most valued workers in this profession. So, how do you get started?

Connecticut Mortician Requirements

In Connecticut, morticians are required to have at least an associate degree in a related field, such as mortuary science. You will also need to earn national certification, as well as hours of on-the-job training, before beginning work. Below, Goodwin College outlines how to become a mortician in Connecticut, step-by-step.

Steps to Becoming a Mortician in CT

1. Consider applying to the Department of Public Health for registration as a Pre-Graduate Trainee – For those thinking of becoming a mortician in Connecticut, there is an option to familiarize yourself with the profession before committing to formal education. You can also complete some apprenticeship time (up to three months) as a Pre-Graduate Trainee, which will contribute to the full apprenticeship period (one year) needed to become a mortician in CT.
2. Earn an Associate Degree in Mortuary Science – Before getting started, take some time to research Mortuary Science schools across the state. Find a program that is accredited or approved by the American Board of Funeral Service Education. An associate degree from one of these programs will ensure a quality education, in which you will learn the ins and outs of a mortician’s job responsibilities. For example, in Goodwin’s Mortuary Science degree program, you’ll learn how to:
   • Conduct funeral arrangement conferences with families
   • Understand the process of cremation and transferring remains
   • Accommodate different religious practices of various faiths
   • Identify the basics of marketing and merchandising in this profession
   • Prepare deceased bodies using universal precautions
   • Embalm both autopsied and un-autopsied remains

A good mortician program will combine on-campus lecture, laboratory training, as well as hands-on experience in the field, so that you can learn all aspects of the mortician job. The mortician learning experience offered through Goodwin College is unsurpassed, in that you will have the opportunity to complete 180 hours of hands-on internship training and participate in 10 embalming operations. Combined with that, you will participate in 30 hours of on-campus classwork, to learn the business ethics and management principles that go into funeral service.

3. Successfully complete the National Board Examination, administered by the American Board of Funeral Service Education. – This exam – a combination of Funeral Arts and Sciences – is a requirement that will enable you to secure a one-year paid apprenticeship as a mortician or funeral service worker. An associate degree program in Mortuary Science will prepare you to sit for this career-critical exam.
4. Secure an apprenticeship. – As a mortuary apprentice, you will work in an active funeral service setting, performing work under the direct guidance and supervision of an experienced professional. In Connecticut, those interested in getting an embalming license must have assisted in the embalming of at least 50 human bodies as part of their apprenticeship.
5. Take the Connecticut board exam. – Once you have completed your apprenticeship, you will be eligible to take your state’s board exam. Once you’ve passed your state board exam, you will be equipped for a variety of funeral service and mortuary science careers, such as:
   • Mortician
   • Embalmer
   • Funeral service director
   • Funeral service practitioner
   • Mortuary transporter
   • At-need and pre-need consultants

How Long Does It Take to Become a Mortician in Connecticut?

While the length of programs will vary, most associate degree programs can be completed in about two-years’ time. At Goodwin College, an associate degree in Mortuary Science can be completed in as few as 24 months full-time. Part-time class options and evening classes are also available for those with other obligations.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Connecticut is the highest-paying state for professional morticians today. Why wait to start on such an in-demand career path? Contact Goodwin College at 800-889-3282 to learn more about our Mortuary Science school in Connecticut.

Goodwin University

Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.