About The Role of the Funeral Director

What is a Funeral Director? What is an Undertaker, or a Mortician? What are the roles and responsibilities associated with the funeral profession?


A lot has changed in the past 50+ years in how we view Funeral Directors. As these roles continue to adapt to suit the needs of a changing population, it’s increasingly important to continually define and redefine the responsibilities and expectations with which they are associated.


This course will provide a modern perspective on the role of a Funeral Director, as the title exists today. We will review typical responsibilities, events, and procedures associated with the role, offering advice and scenarios to help guide both the experienced and the non-experienced. With a careful eye to both the future and the past, we will examine changes in the profession, in order to best prepare for what will come next.

Course Curriculum

  • 1
    Let's get started!
  • 2
    CHAPTER 1: Roles and Responsibilities
  • 3
    CHAPTER 2: Events and Procedures
  • 4
    CHAPTER 3: Changes in the Profession
  • 5
    CHAPTER 4: Funeral Cortège
  • 6
    RESOURCES
  • 7
    FINAL ASSESSMENT
  • Before we begin...
  • Introduction Licensing and Training Responsibilities "What do funeral directors do?" Test Your Learning Responsibilities Cont'd Responsibilities Cont'd Responsibilities Cont'd Test Your Learning Responsibilities Cont'd: Death Announcement Responsibilities Cont'd: Arrangement Meeting Test Your Learning Chapter Completion
  • Introduction Test Your Learning First Call First Call Cont'd Planning the Funeral Planning the Funeral Cont'd Planning the Funeral Cont'd Test Your Learning Test Your Learning Chapter Completion
  • Introduction Changing Roles Better Trained Test Your Learning Counsellor Source of Information Coordinator Educator Test Your Learning Trends in the Funeral Profession "Trends in Funeral Service" Single Ownership of Multiple Locations Cremation Price-Conscious Consumers Pre-planning Test Your Learning Chapter Completion
  • Introduction Different Traditions Vehicle Protocol Identification Safety Funeral Etiquette Test Your Learning
  • Resource Library
  • Instructions Exam

Course Features

  • Self-Paced Learning

    Learn at your own pace, proceeding from one topic to the next at a speed that works for you. Your course progress will be saved for when you return.

  • Online Convenience

    A fully online experience. With no required textbook and an online resource library, you can complete this course while on the go.

  • Professional Development

    Supplement your career with continuous learning, whether you're new to the funeral profession or a seasoned professional.

Pricing options

All Prices include HST

Meet Your Instructor

  • Geoff Carnell

    Instructor & Founder

    Geoff Carnell

    Geoff Carnell entered the funeral profession quite suddenly. After his father died unexpectedly in 1987, Geoff went to their family-owned funeral home to plan his father’s funeral as the new owner. He was 34 and the 6th generation in the family business. As a Professional Engineer, he was able to bring a different perspective to the funeral home profession. Since becoming the full-time president of Carnell’s Funeral Home Ltd. in 1988, he has installed a crematorium, created showrooms for caskets and cremation options, reconfigured and enlarged the on-site chapel, developed a passion for writing about the profession, and published two books: “When the Sun Sets, A guide to Funeral Planning” for a Canadian audience and “The Complete Guide to Funeral Planning, How to Arrange the Appropriate Funeral,” for the American public.

New Registrants Welcome!

Enhance your career, gain insight, and knowledge: Register Today In The Continuing Education Program For Licensed Funeral Professionals

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