The Mortuary School Trap: How to Evaluate ABFSE Programs Before You Enroll
Mortuary science programs vary wildly in quality, support, and outcomes. Accreditation matters more than prestige, and some programs quietly set students up for failure by underpreparing them for board exams or the harsh realities of an apprenticeship.
If you are at the beginning of this path, this decision shapes everything that follows. Here is a professional breakdown of what to look for- and what to avoid.
1. The "Gold Standard": ABFSE Accreditation
If a school is not accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), you are taking a massive risk. Most states require graduation from an accredited program to even sit for the National Board Exam (NBE).
2. The "Hidden" Stat: NBE Pass Rates
Schools love to brag about "graduation rates," but that is a vanity metric. What actually matters is the NBE Pass Rate.
The Test: Check the school’s 3-year average pass rate for both the Arts and Sciences sections of the NBE.
The Threshold: If a school consistently falls below the national average, they are teaching you to pass theirclasses, not the industry’s boards.
Mortuary science is a "hands-on" trade. However, many online-only or hybrid programs struggle with clinical placements.
Ask this before you sign anything: "Does the school provide a clinical site, or is the student responsible for finding a funeral home that will let them embalm?"
The Trap: Being forced to find your own clinical site as a newcomer can delay your graduation by months (or years) and puts you in a position where you're begging for a spot instead of learning.
4. Red Flags to Watch For
Outdated Equipment: If their prep lab looks like a museum (in a bad way), your skills won't translate to a modern, high-volume firm.
Faculty Turnover: High turnover in program directors usually leads to a disorganized curriculum and "lost" credits.
Lack of Career Services: A quality school should act as a bridge to local firms for your apprenticeship. If they don't have those relationships, why are you paying them?
Remember that you are solely responsible for your own education, and that working/ volunteering for a funeral home/ adjacent industry is part of why people get hired. Build those connections asap.