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Practicum Strategies

Continuing education for funeral service professionals

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CE 13N · Home study

A Review of Basic Embalming Procedures

A refresher on the steps and principles of embalming.

Approved in 35 states and 1 province PDF + online quiz Certificate as soon as you pass

About this course

The process of embalming is a series of mechanical steps employed by the professional embalmer to preserve human remains for a funeral service. These basic principles of embalming have gone unchanged since bodies were first preserved for anatomical study during the 19th century. This preservation requires replacing the blood in the cardio-vascular system with a chemical preservative solution.

Over the course of the past 150 years, the design of embalming equipment and instruments have improved dramatically as have the range of chemical preservatives available; when properly used, they will insure a body will be thoroughly sanitized, preserved, and restored for a funeral service.

This course focuses on these basic principles and procedures as well as several common “special problems” that every embalmer must deal with.

How it works

  1. Read

    Online or as a PDF, at your own pace. Your place is saved.

  2. Take the quiz

    Online, whenever you're ready. Graded the moment you submit.

  3. Get your certificate

    Download it right away. A QR code lets your board verify it.

Where it's approved

Hours and prices differ by state, because each board sets its own.

State or provinceHoursPriceApproval
Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice2$201788
Alabama2$2018-24-1788
Arizona2$201788
Arkansas3$3003441
Colorado2$201788
Connecticut2$201788
Delaware2$201788
District of Columbia2$201788
Florida3$30384298
Hawaii4$32—
Idaho4$40—
Illinois4$40—
Indiana4$40—
Iowa2$201788
Kansas3$30—
Kentucky4$4028-PRA-9-O-6
Louisiana2$201788
Maine2$2023-1788
Massachusetts4$40—
Minnesota2$20—
Montana3$30—
Nebraska4$40—
Nevada2$201788
New Hampshire5$50—
New Jersey4$409660
New Mexico2$201788
North Carolina2$20—
Oklahoma2$201788
Rhode Island2$201788
Saskatchewan2$201788
South Carolina3$3020-762787
Tennessee4$4027-350
Texas3$30122-26240
Utah2$201788
Virginia2$20—
Washington2$201788
Wisconsin2$20APFSP approved

About the author

Richard A. Santore

Richard A. Santore, President of Practicum Strategies, attended City College of New York and the McAllister School of Embalming and has had a career in funeral service spanning over 40 years. Richard is a published author of numerous articles pertaining to the funeral profession. He also served as publisher of ‘Today in Deathcare’ a national publication for funeral professionals, as well as serving as the Executive Director of Associated Funeral Directors International. Richard has also served as a Curriculum Design and Implement Consultant within the Johnson City, Tennessee School System, and as a Guest Faculty Member at Virginia Intermont College, Bristol, Virginia.

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