Mortuary Science

Whether one believes in a religion or not, and whether one believes in rebirth or not, there isn’t anyone who doesn’t appreciate kindness & compassion.

– Dalai Lama XIV

The Mortuary Science Department at Cypress College prepares individuals for a career that cares for the dead and comforts the living.

As a Mortuary Science student you will prepare for employment as a funeral director and embalmer through a variety of courses.

The Mortuary Science associate degree program at Cypress College is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE), 992 Mantua Pike, Suite 108, Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097 (816) 233-374. National Board Examination pass rates, graduation rates,  and employment rates for this and other ABFSE-accredited programs are available at www.abfse.org in the Directory of Accredited Programs. 

Student working on a clay model of a face

What You’ll Study
  • Work Experience
  • Orientation to Funeral Service
  • Funeral Service Pathology
  • Embalming Anatomy/Pathology
  • Funeral Service Thanatology
  • Funeral Service Management
  • Funeral Service Ceremonies
  • Embalming Theory and Practice
  • Funeral Directing
  • Funeral Service Administration
  • Methods of Disposition
  • Funeral Service Sciences
  • Embalming
  • Restorative Art
  • Funeral Services Ethics/Laws
  • Embalming Application
  • Mortuary Law
  • Funeral Service Practicum
  • Embalming Externship
  • Funeral Service Capstone
  • Funeral Service Counseling
Catalog

Visit our catalog for more information about the degrees and certificates, courses, and program learning outcomes for students majoring in Mortuary Science.


Careers & Salary

Careers

  • Embalmer
  • Funeral Service Manager
  • Mortician, Undertaker, and Funeral Director

Salary

  • Low: $26k
  • Average: $53k
  • High: $126k

Program Mapper

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Visit our Program Mapper for more information.

What Students Say

“The Mortuary Science Program is nothing like anything I have ever experienced. In order to be successful, you must be active. By being active, I mean showing up every day, being engaged in each lecture, and being supportive of your cohorts. It is truly a team effort and we all help each other throughout the process.”

Kimberly Worl

“Each faculty member of the mortuary program has positively contributed to my time here.”

Holly Herrera


Faculty
  • Lori Collins
  • Damon de la Cruz, Ph.D.
  • Jolena Grande
  • Christina Villa
Adjunct Faculty
  • Glenn Bower
  • Chase Mirassou
  • Stephen Nichols
  • Yvonne Yu
Mortuary Science Department

Location: TE-3, Room 215
T: (714) 484-7278
E: mortsci@cypresscollege.edu
Department Chair: Damon de la Cruz, Ph.D., ddelacruz@cypresscollege.edu