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The Importance of Continuing Education

When you think of continuing education Bloodborne Pathogens, OSHA, and FTC training likely come to mind. This seems to be the standard programs offered by most funeral homes to their employees. I am not disputing the necessity of these programs, but I am disputing the claim that this is all we need. As the next generation of funeral directors and embalmers join the industry, we have a responsibility to ensure they are well educated. This industry is constantly evolving and growing, whether it is disposition options, embalming, or memorial options.


For instance, I live and work in a state that offers Alkaline Hydrolysis and Natural Organic Reduction as disposition options. In the three years I have been in Washington, I have seen more and more families opt to go this route. Upon arriving here, I did not know much about these disposition options because I came from a state that did not offer them. When I talk to funeral directors outside of the PNW, I am often asked what these options offer and how the process works. And while I am glad to tell them what I do know, I am the first to admit that I do not know it all! This is where continuing education comes into play because the more informed we are as industry professionals, the more informed our families and legislators will be too.


One spot that I have seen more and more continuing education options become available is embalming. As someone who truly enjoys being in the prep room, and who also loves continuing education opportunities, this has been so exciting to see.  In the last couple of years, I have attended countless webinars dedicated to everything from advanced postmortem trauma repair, “green” embalming, care specific to infants and children, care specific to donors, better methods of preparation of autopsied decedents, and countless others. When I first started my career, these options were far and few and while I attended every opportunity I could (much to the chagrin of my wallet), it is so refreshing to see that we are dedicating more time to education in this area.


One thing that I would love to see is funeral homes being willing to invest in their employees’ educations beyond the standard FTC training and bloodborne pathogens courses. I truly believe in investing in your employees and investing in yourself, so if I feel my growth is being stunted at a firm, I have no issue making a change. When I have extra time, I like to review job listings and check out what is on my LinkedIn feed. Not necessarily because I have a desire to make a change, but because I want to see what is being offered out there that could further my growth. Most of the time continuing education is not even listed in job postings, but once in awhile I come across one that does mention it. At each firm I have worked at, continuing education has been listed as a benefit to working there. At each firm I have interviewed at, I always ask about what continuing education opportunities are offered to employees. And I can honestly say that out of the few firms I have worked for over the years, big promises were made and very little was delivered beyond the basics that are offered to each employee. I understand that it can be intimidating to invest in people, especially when you don’t know if they have intentions to stay long term. But if we do not at least try to help our people get better continuing education, we are just hurting ourselves in the long run. There have been so many things that I have learned during webinars or conferences that I have put into practice and use regularly. This has not only allowed me to make my job more efficient, but it has allowed me to have better “best practices” that give so much more to the families we serve.


So let’s all strive to do better. Let’s offer opportunities for everyone to learn, whether it’s a seasoned director or a brand-new intern. After all, we are investing not only in today, but tomorrow as well!


Have fun learning!

 


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