Minnesota Funeral Continuing Education

In the rapidly evolving landscape of funeral services, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents both unprecedented opportunities and significant ethical challenges. This course is designed to equip funeral service professionals with a comprehensive understanding of how AI technologies can be thoughtfully and ethically incorporated into their practices. Through a detailed exploration of current applications, potential benefits, and best practices for implementation, participants will learn to navigate the complex ethical considerations AI introduces to the funeral industry.

Learning Objectives
Upon completing the course, participants will:

• Have a solid foundation in AI technologies relevant to funeral services.
• Be able to articulate the ethical implications of AI integration.
• Know the best practices for implementing AI in a way that enhances service offerings while maintaining the dignity and sensitivity required in funeral services.
• Understand the legal and regulatory environment affecting AI use in the industry.
• Be prepared to develop and execute an ethical AI implementation plan for their funeral service practice.

Who Should Enroll

This course is ideal for funeral directors, funeral homeowners, and any funeral service professionals interested in the intersection of technology and funeral services. It's also suitable for those seeking to understand the ethical dimensions of integrating emerging technologies into traditional practices.

Understanding burial with Military Honors begins with an awareness of each element and variations of the ceremony as well as how to assist the family with acquiring the benefits associated with this important honor. This course will review eligibility for the honor, the available benefits for veterans and surviving family members, a thorough review of the meaning of each fold of the flag, a review of the armed forces Funeral Honors Team protocols, and the meaning of a flag draped coffin. In addition, this course will present certain features of Military Funeral Honors Law, and it will reveal what elements comprise the different types of available honor ceremonies. The course will also help Funeral Professionals to understand the significance and real history of TAPS, the meaning of the riderless horse, the importance of honor and American traditions, and will present a brief history of Arlington Cemetery and more.

Learning Objectives
Upon completing the course, participants will:

• Understand the eligibility requirements for military honors and assist families in the process.
• Recognize the components and significance of different ceremonial practices.
• Learn about Military Funeral Honors Law and its application.
• Understand the meaning behind the flag folds and other ceremonial symbols like the riderless horse.
• Gain knowledge of the historical and emotional importance of military funerals to provide empathetic and informed support to grieving families.

The material in this course is intended to clarify necessary practices in order to comply with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Funeral Rule. All funeral providers are required to abide by this law so that consumers receive fair and accurate services when making funeral arrangements.

Learning Objectives
Upon completing the course, participants will:

1. Understand the Historical Context of the FTC Funeral Rule

• Explain the origin and evolution of the Funeral Rule, including key amendments.

2. Identify the Scope of Applicability

• Determine who is required to follow the Funeral Rule and under what conditions.
• Distinguish between funeral goods and services providers who must comply and those exempted.

3. Interpret the Key Provisions of the Funeral Rule

• Describe the mandatory General Price List (GPL) requirements, including its content and distribution protocols.
• Articulate the six mandatory disclosures on the GPL.
• Summarize the rules governing the Statement of Funeral Goods and Services Selected.

4. Analyze Consumer Rights and Provider Obligations

• Evaluate consumer rights, such as the right of selection and purchasing flexibility.
• Outline the provider’s responsibility in preventing misrepresentations and ensuring compliance.

5. Navigate Pricing and Disclosure Requirements

• Explain the rules for itemized pricing, alternative price lists, and specific services like embalming and cremation.
• Discuss how the Funeral Rule regulates package deals and prohibits deceptive practices.

6. Comply with Recordkeeping and Enforcement Protocols

• Specify the required duration and content of recordkeeping for compliance with the Rule.
• Summarize enforcement mechanisms and the role of the Funeral Rule Offenders Program (FROP).

7. Adapt to State-Specific Provisions and Exemptions

• Understand how state-specific regulations may complement or exempt funeral providers from the federal Funeral Rule.

8. Ensure Ethical and Legal Compliance in Funeral Services

• Identify prohibited practices and legal consequences of non-compliance.
• Highlight the importance of accurate communication and transparency with consumers.

Modern funeral professionals should look at industry standards of ethics and their own attitude as the foundation for maintaining best practices in customer service. All funeral staff will benefit from this course as it reviews the ethical considerations of modern day funeral systems and how to maintain a positive attitude in the face of daily challenges. It also demonstrates how strong ethics and a constructive attitude naturally lead to better customer service and customer retention. Understanding the three most important customer services a Funeral Professional can offer will create a platform from which staff can resolve most problems related to ethics, attitude and customer service.

Learning Objectives
Upon completing the course, participants will:

• Understand Ethical Standards: Identify and uphold the ethical principles specific to the funeral industry as defined by the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA).
• Develop a Positive Attitude: Cultivate and maintain a positive mental outlook to improve interactions with grieving clients and foster customer satisfaction and retention.
• Deliver Exceptional Customer Service: Implement the three key responsibilities of a funeral professional: focusing on client needs in the moment, creating a comforting environment for families, and presenting as an educated, compassionate professional.
• Recognize Attitude and Ethics Interplay: Demonstrate how a combination of ethical behavior and a positive attitude leads to enhanced customer trust and business success.
• Apply Professional Practices: Utilize self-reflection and best practices to align personal and organizational behaviors with the high expectations of the funeral industry.

No family member wants to hear that a loved one has died, but hearing that they have died from an overdose of heroin is one of the most devastating things to be told. And sadly, more and more families are hearing these exact words and are being forced to deal with a lifetime of questions and a sadness that is unlike any other loss. This also means those in the funeral home industry are facing more and more heroin deaths than ever before and are encountering more and more families grieving the loss of friends, loved ones, children, siblings, parents, and companions who have been claimed by this epidemic. It is our responsibility to be there for families during this time and to help make the grieving process as manageable as possible and to help family members say their final farewells to loved ones. In order to do this, it is important to understand the heroin epidemic, what it does, how it is spreading, and what can be done to end the cycle. That is what this training course is aimed at providing-a basis and general education for funeral home directors and their staff to assist them with handling this delicate type of funeral planning.

Learning Objectives
Upon completing the course, participants will:

• Understanding the science of addiction, why people get addicted, the effects drugs can have and what the warning signs are that a loved one may be suffering from a drug addiction.
• How to approach the topic within the nursing home industry- using tactful ways to discuss the issue of drug overdose and associated deaths with families and the general public.
• Ways those in the funeral home business can make a difference and change the growing trend of drug abuse addiction and overdose.

This course will prepare the funeral industry professional to understand environmental compliance with respect to funeral home sewer discharge. It will further explain how to properly use an MSDS, and also includes a brief review of OSHA requirements. This course will also enlighten the reader on how to protect employees and the environment from the hazards of formaldehyde. The Funeral Home Wastestream Audit will also be reviewed.

Learning Objectives
Upon completing the course, participants will:

• Analyze the environmental impact of traditional funeral practices, particularly regarding chemical use and waste management.
• Identify and comply with OSHA and NFDA regulations related to funeral home waste disposal and employee safety.
• Interpret and apply MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) to ensure safe handling and disposal of hazardous materials.
• Evaluate the ethical responsibilities of funeral professionals in choosing and recommending environmentally friendly products.
• Explain the benefits and limitations of "green" funeral alternatives, including natural burial options, recycling practices, and alternatives to embalming.
• Develop protocols to improve waste management, chemical handling, and environmental safety in funeral home operations.

Ethics represented by a system of rules and regulations is practical and effective but without a strong moral code, funeral directors could engage in certain activities that could put them in violation of The Funeral Rule. This course will provide a thorough review of the Funeral Rule, The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), and will examine the importance of following a solid standard of ethics supported by a strong moral base. The ethical responsibilities of organ procurement agencies, coroners and medical examiners will also be examined.

Learning Objectives
Upon completing the course, participants will:

1. Understand Funerary Ethics and Legal Standards

• Learn the importance of ethics and The Funeral Rule in funeral services.
• Identify key ethical guidelines and legal disclosures required when serving clients.

2. Apply Ethical Standards in Funeral Planning

• Practice ethical behavior, respecting client privacy, honesty, and transparency.
• Handle sensitive situations, like body donation, with compassion and ethics.

3. Ensure Compliance with Pricing and Service Rules

• Use required pricing lists to clearly communicate costs to clients.
• Understand legal rules for service packages, fees, and client rights.

4. Guide Clients on Organ and Tissue Donations

• Provide families with clear information on donation options and their rights.
• Help clients understand the process, costs, and choices involved in donations.

5. Offer Environmentally Friendly and Compassionate Service Options

• Present eco-friendly choices, like green burials, and respect client budgets.
• Tailor services to fit cultural and personal values.

6. Work Respectfully with Coroners and Medical Examiners

• Understand the roles of coroners and medical examiners and support families in cases involving legal procedures.
• Follow ethical guidelines and required disclosures when collaborating with officials.

Environmental issues are at the top of the list for many individuals and places of business. End of life and preparation for burial includes the use of various chemicals, metals, and treated and polished wood; these all “go to the grave” with the deceased. Then it goes into the soil and groundwater to contaminate it.

Learning Objectives
Upon completing the course, participants will:

• Understand the Principles of Green Burials: Learners will be able to define what constitutes a green burial, including the absence of toxic chemicals, the use of biodegradable materials, and the conservation of natural landscapes.
• Assess Environmental Impact: Participants will evaluate the environmental impacts of traditional versus green funerals, including considerations of carbon footprint, chemical usage, and resource consumption.
• Explore Funeral Industry Practices: Students will explore how the funeral industry is adapting to the rising demand for green funerals, including the challenges and opportunities for funeral homes in offering environmentally friendly services.
• Design Green Funeral Plans: Learners will develop the skills to plan a green funeral, including choosing suitable materials for caskets and shrouds, selecting a green burial site, and understanding the legal considerations involved.
• Analyze Consumer Preferences and Trends: Participants will analyze consumer attitudes towards green burials, including the factors that influence decision-making and the role of consumer choice in driving industry changes towards more sustainable practices.
• Predict Future Developments: Students will investigate emerging trends in the green funeral industry, such as the role of death midwifery and the potential for new technologies like water cremation, to understand how the field might evolve in response to environmental and societal changes.

When children die, especially when the death is not the result of an illness, the shock can be emotionally devastating on the parents, siblings, and extended family. Generally, there is a great deal of support from close friends and the community. However, the Funeral Professional needs to be prepared to help grieving parents cope with this particularly egregious phenomenon in a direct and effective manner. Because Funeral Professionals are meeting face to face with the grieving parents so soon after sudden or unexpected death, they can bring some comfort by offering the assurance parents need that the funeral service will be as pleasant a memory as possible.

Learning Objectives
Upon completing the course, participants will:

1. Understand the Grieving Process for Parents After a Child’s Death

• Recognize the unique and intense nature of grief following the loss of a child.
• Explain the emotional and physical impacts of sudden child death on parents.

2. Provide Compassionate Support as a Funeral Professional

• Identify appropriate language and behaviors to offer comfort and professionalism.
• Understand the importance of listening, providing space, and showing empathy without overstepping.

3. Assist Parents in Making Funeral Arrangements

• Guide parents sensitively through decisions about casket selection and funeral arrangements.
• Ensure a seamless and respectful service, meeting parents’ needs with care.

4. Suggest Coping Strategies and Resources for Grieving Parents

• Provide information on healthy coping mechanisms, such as support groups and constructive activities.
• Offer connections to additional resources like grief counselors and support networks when appropriate.

5. Recognize When Professional Help May Be Needed

• Understand signs of prolonged or complicated grief that may require referral to a counselor or therapist.
• Respectfully provide resources, including contact information for local support, when requested.

This course will help the Funeral Professional assist parents with the difficult task of helping children cope with the death of a loved one or close friend. The Funeral Professional will be introduced to the different psychological stages of children from newborn to age 15, and how to address children in age-appropriate ways. Funeral Professionals, although not counselors, still need to know what to say to grieving parents who need to help their children cope with grief. This course will present basic information about child psychological development that can help you help parents better understand their grieving children.

Learning Objectives
Upon completing the course, participants will:

• Identify Psychological Stages of Child Development: Understand the four stages of child development according to Jean Piaget and recognize the unique characteristics and challenges of each stage in relation to coping with death and grief.
• Recognize Differences in Child and Adult Grief: Differentiate between expressions of grief in children and adults, and explain why children may require distinct approaches and support systems when dealing with loss.
• Understand Preoperational Stage Challenges: Explain the cognitive limitations of children in the preoperational stage (ages 2 to 7) and how these limitations impact their comprehension of death and grief.
• Assess Child Grieving Processes: Evaluate the emotional and physical responses of children during the grieving process, including common reactions such as nightmares, spontaneous crying, and changes in behavior.
• Apply Strategies for Supporting Grieving Children: Apply appropriate strategies for supporting grieving children based on their age, personality, and developmental stage, including providing affection, reassurance, and opportunities for expression.
• Communicate Effectively with Grieving Parents: Develop communication skills to effectively support and guide grieving parents in helping their children cope with loss, including providing information, reassurance, and empathetic understanding.

Exposure to the HIV/AIDS virus is a serious issue for Funeral Service Professionals as they prepare bodies for burial. This course is intended to help you become knowledgeable about this disease and its transmission. The curriculum will provide guidance on how to protect yourself from the virus as you perform your duties.

Learning Objectives
Upon completing the course, participants will:

• Define HIV/AIDS: Understand and articulate the differences between HIV and AIDS, including the impact on the immune system.
• Describe Transmission Methods: Explain how HIV/AIDS is transmitted and identify common risk factors, particularly for funeral home professionals.
• Assess Occupational Risks: Recognize the specific occupational hazards associated with exposure to HIV/AIDS for funeral service workers.
• Implement Safety Measures: Apply appropriate infection control practices, including the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), to minimize risk.
• Understand Employer Responsibilities: Identify employer obligations under OSHA standards, including providing PPE and post-exposure medical examinations.
• Follow Exposure Protocols: Describe the steps to take immediately after potential exposure to contaminated blood or bodily fluids.
• Comply with Laws and Acts: Understand the legal requirements of the Needle Stick Safety Act and Funeral Service Laws related to HIV/AIDS.

This course presents a brief overview of the history of funeral customs and wakes, and offers a short review of Christian customs and the customs of other faiths. This course will help the funeral professional prepare to receive a more diverse clientele that will lead to better customer service and broader community outreach.

Learning Objectives
Upon completing the course, participants will:

• Explain the History of Funeral Customs: Describe the origins and evolution of funeral practices and the significance of rituals across various cultures.
• Identify Religious and Cultural Influences: Recognize how different religious beliefs and cultural backgrounds shape modern funeral customs.
• Describe the Purpose of a Wake: Understand the historical and contemporary significance of wakes in the grieving and healing process.
• Adapt to Diverse Client Needs: Apply strategies to respectfully accommodate and tailor funeral services to diverse cultural and religious preferences.
• Understand the Role of the Funeral Service: Explain how funeral services provide closure and promote healing for families and communities.
• Maintain Cultural Sensitivity: Demonstrate awareness and respect for varying beliefs about death, emphasizing the importance of neutrality and non-judgment in funeral service practices.

This course will educate Funeral Professionals on the OSHA Act, OSHA requirements for Funeral Homes, and will review the specific safety requirements for funeral home employees and owners. It will help Practitioners understand OSHA compliance requirements and the General Duty clause as well as OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.

Learning Objectives
Upon completing the course, participants will:

• Understand OSHA Regulations: Explain OSHA compliance requirements specific to funeral homes, including the General Duty Clause.
• Implement Safety Standards: Identify and apply OSHA's standards for formaldehyde exposure, including air monitoring and ventilation requirements.
• Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Demonstrate proper selection, use, and maintenance of PPE to ensure safety during embalming and other hazardous tasks.
• Manage Hazard Communication: Establish a Hazard Communication Program, ensuring proper labeling, documentation, and training for handling hazardous chemicals.
• Follow Bloodborne Pathogen Protocols: Implement procedures to minimize exposure to bloodborne pathogens, adhering to OSHA's standards and the CDC’s Universal Precautions.
• Develop Emergency Response Plans: Prepare for formaldehyde and chemical exposure incidents, including the use of eyewash stations and post-exposure medical evaluations.

Whether the decedent passes in-utero or shortly after birth, the perinatal funeral service requires a far greater level of care than any other type of memorial service. Creative memorialization with a keen attention to detail is essential to a parent's healing process. As this course examines the emotional trauma faced by parents, funeral directors will also learn the differences in maternal responses versus paternal responses to infant loss and why this occurs.

Learning Objectives
Upon completing the course, participants will:

• Define Perinatal Loss: Understand key definitions, statistics, and the emotional impact of perinatal loss on families.
• Differentiate Grief Responses: Explain the differences in grief responses between mothers, fathers, siblings, and grandparents, and how these responses influence bereavement.
• Conduct Bereavement Assessments: Apply micro-, mezzo-, and macro-level assessments to evaluate and support the grieving process of families.
• Support Family Memorialization: Implement sensitive practices for handling and presenting infant remains, and offer creative options for personalized memorial services.
• Facilitate Healing and Closure: Recognize the importance of creating positive memories for families and ensuring opportunities for meaningful closure.
• Manage Self-Care: Identify psychosocial processes for grieving caregivers, including self-assessment and coping strategies for funeral directors handling perinatal loss cases.

Preneed is a service that many funeral homes offer so that families can document their final wishes and prepay to ensure peace of mind for themselves and/or for their families. Since funeral homes’ main objective is to provide a service to grieving families and make a profit, many funeral homes will invest time and money into a successful preneed department. However, since funeral service is tightly governed, there are a few key areas that are important to know as to how not to incur fines with regard to liability and disclosures. This course will provide students with a comprehensive understanding as to what preneed is, why it exists, and how a funeral home can successfully offer it and, in turn, make a profit. This course is designed to view preneed from five different areas of concentration: 1) the funeral home, 2) the community, 3) the individual families, 4) the Family Service Counselor/Licensed Funeral Director and 5) paperwork and terms of the funeral contract.

Learning Objectives
Upon completing the course, participants will be able to:

• Define preneed, atneed, and aftercare in funeral services.
• Summarize the history and evolution of preneed funeral planning.
• Understand the key FTC regulations, including the Funeral Rule and General Price List (GPL).
• Identify the major components of a preneed contract and their implications.
• Evaluate the benefits of preneed for families, funeral homes, and professionals.
• Recognize situations where preneed may not be appropriate.

Embalming and body restoration are closely linked. As a result, restoration specialists and embalmer's duties often overlap. Because of this, it is beneficial for funeral directors and embalmers to become educated in restorative arts. For the purposes of this course, we will assume that the embalmer is performing the restoration without any outside help from restorative arts specialists or mortuary cosmetologists. Thus the course will present embalming techniques alongside restorative techniques for a balanced presentation.

Learning Objectives
Upon completing the course, participants will:

• Understand Modern Viewing Trends: Explain the psychological impact of viewings and how modern funeral customs influence restorative art.
• Recognize Restoration Techniques: Identify and apply essential restorative art techniques, including tissue rebuilding, handling severe trauma, and using proper cosmetic applications.
• Address Restoration Challenges: Learn to manage common challenges such as tissue gas, facial reconstruction, and major restorations post-autopsy.
• Implement Effective Closure Methods: Use appropriate methods like the mandibular suture, eye closure techniques, and repairing carotid incisions to ensure a natural and secure presentation.
• Ensure Emotional Support for Families: Explain the importance of post-restoration viewings for psychological healing and closure, and learn how to communicate restoration outcomes to grieving families.

This course will examine the phenomenon of the current sociological changes and the social problems identified by sociologists, while examining the isolation perpetrated by modern medical practices that often rob families of experiencing the normal process of dying. It will also examine the many challenges funeral professionals face in their role as death-industry providers, including the thankless daily tasks, managing personal emotional responses, and the challenge of remaining appropriate in an increasingly inappropriate world. The process of dying, artificial life support and Near Death Experiences (NDEs) will also be explored.

Learning Objectives
Upon completing the course, participants will:

• Understand Social Perspectives on Death: Explain how modern societies approach death, including the concept of the "good death" and how these perspectives have evolved.
• Analyze Death Denial and Rituals: Describe the phenomenon of death denial and the changes in social rituals surrounding death and dying.
• Identify Challenges Faced by Funeral Directors: Discuss the social stigmas, emotional challenges, and business difficulties faced by funeral professionals.
• Examine the Impact of Medicalization: Understand how medical advancements have influenced societal views on dying and the resulting implications for end-of-life experiences.
• Explore Thanatology: Define thanatology and recognize its relevance in understanding the psychological and social aspects of death and dying.

This course will prepare the funeral industry professional to understand the methodology of hospice care for an increased perspective. This course will arm the funeral professional with the knowledge needed to comfort the surviving family members whose loved one may have been placed in hospice either long-term or for only the last few days of life.

Learning Objectives
Upon completing the course, participants will:

• Define hospice care and distinguish it from common misconceptions.
• Describe the process of dying in hospice from both patient and family perspectives.
• Explain the primary principles of hospice and palliative care, emphasizing the focus on "caring, not curing."
• Discuss the emotional and physical impact of caregiving on families, especially the primary caregiver.
• Present relevant hospice care statistics to provide factual reassurance and build trust with grieving families.
• Demonstrate compassionate communication strategies to support families dealing with loss and hospice-related decisions.
• Understand the essential aspects of hospice procedures and their importance in empathetic interactions with clients.

In the funeral industry, it is important to find a balance between caring for the wishes of the client and running your business. This course will prepare the professional to tackle Upselling and Add-Ons with finesse while remaining sensitive to both the needs of the client and the health of their business. It will prepare the professional to take control of the sales process using the Six Rules of Upselling.

Learning Objectives
Upon completing the course, participants will:

• Distinguish between tangible products and intangible services in the funeral industry.
• Apply suggestive selling techniques to guide clients through decision-making while remaining sensitive to their emotional state.
• Develop comfort and skill in offering appropriate Add-Ons that enhance the funeral experience for the client and family.
• Utilize effective communication strategies to establish trust and ease clients into discussing budget considerations.
• Implement the Six Rules of Upselling to balance client satisfaction and business profitability.
• Manage client interactions to keep them focused, reduce indecisiveness, and maintain a conducive environment for upselling.
• Use active listening and tailored recommendations to ensure all family members' needs and desires are considered and respected.

Funeral Professionals need to focus more attention on the needs of the family when children die, but directors also need to pay special attention to certain procedural protocols in order to ensure a smooth funeral service experience for the family. Generally, when the deceased is a child, there is a tremendous outpouring from the community. Because of this, certain challenges can arise and Funeral Professionals need to be ready. This course presents helpful guidelines for making the final arrangements when the deceased is a child.

Learning Objectives
Upon completing the course, participants will:

• Identify the unique grief responses and psychological challenges parents face when a child dies.
• Explain the role of the funeral professional in providing prompt, personalized, and accommodating service.
• Demonstrate best practices for maintaining a calm and supportive demeanor while guiding parents through the arrangement process.
• Manage time effectively to ensure parents have space for emotional processing and making thoughtful decisions.
• Accommodate special considerations, such as venue selection and casket preferences, to meet the family’s needs with sensitivity.
• Understand the boundaries of the funeral professional’s role, emphasizing task-oriented support rather than emotional counseling.

The following course provides an inside look at cemetery processes and procedures. Course participants will receive a concise description of how cemeteries operate and will receive a detailed review of the various types of cemeteries available to the public. Participants will also learn which one common product they can add to the service selection package at the funeral home and which products families should purchase from the cemetery.

Learning Objectives
Upon completing the course, participants will:

• Differentiate between various types of cemeteries and their functions.
• Identify the key products and services that cemeteries offer to clients.
• Outline the responsibilities and procedures of funeral professionals when collaborating with cemeteries.
• Ensure a seamless graveside service experience through effective interprofessional communication.
• Understand cemetery-specific considerations, including grave dimensions, plot types, and burial options.
• Explain perpetual care, interment rights, and the long-term responsibilities of funeral directors.