Continuing Education
Here is the webpage link to all BAO-approved Continuing Education options.
All other education and training information is found in the boxes below.
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As stipulated in the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002 the Bereavement Authority of Ontario is responsible for regulation of four personal licence classes:
- Funeral Director – Class 1 (embalming)
- Funeral Director – Class 2 (non-embalming)
- Transfer Service Sales Representative
- Funeral Preplanner
Each licence class has a varied scope of practice. All educational standards are set by the Registrar and the Funeral Sector Professional Competency Profiles – Second Edition provides the foundation for all funeral service education initiatives. Developed by funeral professionals for funeral professionals, competencies as they apply to each personal licence class are defined within five key areas of focus:
- Communication and Responsiveness
- Care of the Deceased
- Disposition, Funeral Services and Visitation
- Business Practices
- Professionalism
Competency based education programs are designed to build learning outcomes that may be applied to another personal licence class should the individual choose to pursue further training in the funeral sector.
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Competencies, as identified in the Funeral Sector Professional Competency Profiles – Second Edition, provide the foundation for all education initiatives.
As stipulated in the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002 and Ontario Regulation 30/11, the Registrar for the Bereavement Authority of Ontario is responsible for identifying the funeral service education requirements for four specified personal licence classes including:
- Funeral Director – Class 1 (embalming)
- Funeral Director – Class 2 (non-embalming)
- Transfer Service Sales Representative
- Funeral Preplanner
For individuals wishing to pursue a career in funeral service, the Funeral Service Education program is designed to support continued development. Education requirements for each licence class build on the previous class beginning with Funeral Preplanner and ending with Funeral Director – Class 1. Selecting a program of study depends upon your level of interest and the amount of time that you are willing to invest.
Individuals may decide to pursue career opportunities at any of the four specified levels or enhance existing skill sets with the completion of additional funeral service education requirements over a period of time.
Industry Program Standards for Funeral Service Education
Approved by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, the Funeral Service Education Program Standards serve to inform curriculum development for each personal licence class at approved educational institutions in Ontario.
Designed to include vocational learning outcomes, essential employability skills, general education requirements, and process standards, through combining theoretical course work with practical internship experience, graduates of the program acquire knowledge, skills, and abilities that support continued career development.
Click here to download the Industry Program Standards for Funeral Service Education.
Currently, there are two approved educational institutions in Ontario that provide Funeral Service Education:
- Humber College: http://www.humber.ca
- Collège Boréal: http://www.collegeboreal.ca
Expected timelines for credential obtainment
Personal Licence Class Credential Course Work Normal Internship Term Estimated Timeline for Program Completion Personal Licence Class
Funeral Director – Class 1 (embalming)
Credential
Ontario College Diploma
Course Work
5 semesters
Normal Internship Term
1 year
Estimated Timeline for Program Completion
2 years
Personal Licence Class
Funeral Director – Class 2 (non embalming)
Credential
Ontario College Diploma
Course Work
4 semesters
Normal Internship Term
6 months
Estimated Timeline for Program Completion
1.5 years
Personal Licence Class
Transfer Service Sales Representative
Credential
Ontario College Certificate
Course Work
2 semesters
Normal Internship Term
3 months
Estimated Timeline for Program Completion
6 months
Personal Licence Class
Funeral Preplanner
Credential
Certificate of Achievement
Course Work
online
Normal Internship Term
N/A
Estimated Timeline for Program Completion
N/A
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The Preceptor Training Program previously offered by the Board of Funeral Services (BOFS) is no longer mandatory
Effective April 1, 2016, Humber College and Collège Boréal will assume the responsibility for delivering the internship program, including the tracking of completed competencies and oversight of preceptors, for all new interns.
Effective April 1, 2016, a funeral director with the following qualifications is permitted to act as a preceptor:
- licensed in good standing in the province of Ontario
- who has been licensed for a minimum of 3 years
- who agrees to fulfill the requirements of “preceptor” as defined by the college and the Registrar
Stay tuned for more information about optional training programs that will be offered by Humber College and Collège Boréal.