Humber’s Funeral Director Class 1 (Embalming) diploma program draws students from around the world, preparing them to make a difference in the lives of people who are grieving the loss of a loved one. This is the only English-speaking Funeral Service Education program in Ontario.

Courses are designed with industry input, ensuring that what you’re learning is current and relevant. You will learn all aspects of funeral home operation, as well as the practical and theoretical sides of funeral service. Embalming lab courses will prepare you for the technical side of the program, while courses in issues of grief and bereavement prepare you for the emotional side. Courses in arranging, ethics and embalming will enable you to explain all options to families. Business courses will help you understand the challenges of operating a business.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:

• Provide an accurate explanation of the rationale behind his/her actions, grounded in a comprehensive understanding of the relevant policies, practices and financial implications that guide the performance of the scope of practice of the Funeral Director – Class 1 (embalming) role.
• Communicate clearly, sensitively and respectfully with potential purchasers all relevant information related to various options and possible implications of decisions made at the time of purchase, as permitted by legislation in the scope of practice for the specified licence classification including:
  • Explaining funeral service and disposition options including arterial embalming and restoration
  • Explaining clearly and accurately prearranging and prefunding services, product knowledge and merchandise and financial implications
  • Managing effectively and sensitively all applicable contractual negotiations and obligations, financing options, and requirements for service and product delivery referring to other licensed professionals when outside the legislative scope of practice
• Communicate and apply an accurate and comprehensive understanding of prearranging and prepayment including investment vehicles, insurance, trust reconciliation and financing of prepaid contracts within legislative scope of practice.
• Conduct oneself in a manner consistent with principles and accepted practices of the funeral sector, using professional language.
• Complete all aspects of business operations for a funeral establishment that provides embalming on site or transfer service, in the capacity of an owner/manager consistent with legislated responsibilities in a legal, ethical, safe and efficient manner across a broad range of predictable and unpredictable contexts.
• Arrange (prearrange) and document funeral services, disposition details, related transactions and follow up services with the legal representative in an effective, professional, caring and creative manner.
• Engage in, and plan for, ongoing personal and professional development, networking/community relations and inter- professional collaboration.
• Provide effective leadership and contribute to the supervision and mentoring of all team members, including licensees, support staff, and/or interns in a professional, caring and creative manner through providing appropriate direction as it relates to the delivery of funeral service.
• Lead, establish, maintain and participate effectively in funeral establishment work teams consisting of licensees, support staff and/or interns demonstrating at all times the ability to learn, grow and work together.
• Care for and handle the deceased respectfully and safely at all times.
• Complete and perform effectively and efficiently all non-embalming preparation processes and arterial embalming and restoration processes.
• Direct funeral services and visitation in a respectful and sensitive manner consistent with the direction of the legal representative.
• Complete prepaid contract related documents and related financial matters in accordance with applicable legislation.
• Coordinate and deliver the selected disposition services and follow up services, effectively, professionally and consistent with, and supportive of, the wishes of the legal representative.
• Make decisions ethically and professionally based on a comprehensive understanding of the knowledge and skills required of an owner/manager of the applicable business licence class pursuant to the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002 (FBCSA).

Work Placement
The Bereavement Authority of Ontario, the provincial regulator, has approved that students of the program shall complete a one-year work placement before they can be licensed.
To progress into Semester 3, students must start a full-time (paid) work placement in a funeral home after they have successfully completed exams in Semester 2. During Semesters 3 through 5, students complete their learning by distance, and many of their assignments are based on the practical experience they are gaining in the funeral home. Humber assists students to find their placements by working with our industry partners to identify openings. Students are responsible for finding their own work placement with a licensed Ontario funeral establishment.