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Mortuary Science

Mortuary Science

Program Detail

Become a Student

Contact the Program Director

Thomas R. Taggart

Residential Faculty - Mortuary Science

480-988-8501

This program is part of the Applied Sciences and Technology Department.

Funeral service personnel are members of a human services profession, members of the community in which they serve, and participants in the relationship between bereaved families and those engaged in the funeral service profession. They are knowledgeable and compliant with regulatory guidelines in the geographic area where they practice and are sensitive to the responsibility for public health, safety, and welfare in caring for human remains.

The Mortuary Science program at MCC has the following objectives:

  • to enlarge the background and knowledge of students about the funeral service profession
  • to educate students in every phase of funeral service and to help enable them to develop proficiency and skills necessary for the profession
  • to educate students concerning the responsibilities of the funeral service profession to the community at large
  • to emphasize high standards of ethical conduct
  • to provide a curriculum at the post-secondary level of instruction
  • to encourage student and faculty research in the field of funeral service

The Associates of Applied Science (AAS) in Mortuary Science at MCC is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE).

Career Profile

Quick Stats

Example Titles
Funeral Director
Mortician
Undertaker
Types of Employers
Funeral Homes
Mortuaries

As the population grows older and passes away, the demand for funeral and memorial services will increase. In Arizona, the projected growth over the next five years is above average compared with the rest of the market. However, the number of small funeral homes is declining; they are being bought out by large corporations. In the past, each funeral home had one or more funeral directors. Now, a smaller number of funeral directors may work at all the funeral homes that are owned by a single corporation. Despite the slow growth in this occupation, jobs will open up as current funeral directors retire.

Advancement opportunities generally are best in larger funeral homes. Funeral directors may earn promotions to higher paying positions such as branch manager or general manager. Some directors eventually acquire enough money and experience to establish their own funeral home businesses.

Funeral Directors:

  • Organize and direct funeral services
  • May perform many tasks, from embalming to accounting
  • May work on an on-call basis
  • Work with customers during a difficult time
  • Usually train for three years
  • Need a license
  • May need to take continuing education courses
  • May be self-employed

Available Associate Degrees and Certificates

Degree / Certificate Title Course List
Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Mortuary Science Course List

Join the Program

If you are interested in the program, please visit our Mortuary Science program website for more detail including the program Application Packet.