COURSE INFORMATION

This online CE course is a comprehensive course and provides learners with a solid foundation in the study of the embalming process, preparation of the body for viewing and burial and the core safety issues related to the handling of the deceased. Students will study the theory and methods of body preservation, with a focus on arterial and body cavity embalming procedures. Common fluids and embalming agents are presented, as well as equipment used in embalming practices today. A comprehensive presentation of safety issues are examined, including OSHA rules and regulations for funeral homes and embalming rules, and blood borne pathogen standards. Preparation and cleaning of equipment is presented, as well as safety issues related to the handling of fluids and agents for embalming.

Students will then study other body preparations, including restoration, cosmetics, dressing and casketing of the deceased. The theory and learning presented in this comprehensive course utilizes the same text book used in many mortuary science programs today. The core objectives for this course is to prepare the learner to “assist” a licensed embalmer. This course does not prepare one to practice embalming or qualify for licensure as a licensed embalmer. The focus is on the role of the “assistant” in the embalming room and assisting with other aspects of body preparation. Upon successful completion of this course, students are awarded 60 hours of continuing education credits. Course Code: FN 250.

This course is particularly designed for those who would like to apply for Certification as a Certified Funeral Service Associate by the American Institute of Funeral Service Associates. You must have successfully completed our CE course GC 400: Death, Dying and Mourning, and FN 190 Psychosocial Aspects of Death, Dying and Grief, and FN 200 Funeral Services I- Process and Function, before taking this course.

Instructor/Course Author: Dominick L. Flarey, Ph.D, MBA,RN-BC, ANP-BC, GC-C
Link to Resume: access here

Email: info@aihcp.org

TIME FRAME: You are allotted two years from the date of enrollment, to complete this course. There are no set time-frames, other than the two year allotted time. If you do not complete the course within the two-year time-frame, you will be removed from the course and an “incomplete” will be recorded for you in our records. Also, if you would like to complete the course after this two-year expiration time, you would need to register and pay the course tuition fee again.

TEXTBOOK: There is one (1) required textbook for this course.

Embalming: History, Theory, and Practice. 4th edition. Robert G. Mayer. McGraw Hill Publishers. 2006: ISBN # 0-07-143950-1.

Link to Purchase on Amazon.com: click here

GRADING: You must achieve a passing score of at least 70% to complete this course and receive the 60 hours of awarded continuing education credit. There are no letter grades assigned. You will receive notice of your total % score. Those who score below the minimum of 70% will be contacted by the American Academy of Grief Counseling and options for completing additional course work to achieve a passing score, will be presented.

BOARD APPROVALS: AIHCP is an approved provider of continuing education by the American Institute of Health Care Professionals (The Provider) is approved by the California Board of Registered Nurses, Provider number # CEP 15595 for 60 Contact Hours. Access information

Course Refund & AIHCP Policies: access here

ONLINE CLASSROOM RESOURCES AND TOOLS

* Examination Access: there is link to take you right to the online examination program where you can print out your examination and work with it. All examinations are formatted as “open book” tests. When you are ready, you can access the exam program at anytime and click in your responses to the questions. Full information is provided in the online classrooms.

* Student Resource Center: there is a link for access to a web page “Student Resource Center.” The Resource Center provides for easy access to all of our policies/procedures and additional information regarding applying for certification. We also have many links to many outside reference sites, such as online libraries that you may freely access.

* Online Evaluation: there is a link in the classroom where you may access the course evaluation. All students completing a course, must, without exception, complete the course evaluation.

* Faculty Access Information: you will have access to your instructor’s online resume/biography, as well as your instructor’s specific contact information.

* Additional Learning Materials: some faculty have prepared additional “readings” and /or brief lecture notes to enhance your experience. All of these are available in the online classrooms.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

1). Identify the role/responsibilities of various funeral services professionals and paraprofessionals in the pre-planning and planning phases of body preparation and funeral services and burial.
2). Understand the history, practices and purposes of embalming and body preparation.
3). Understand and discuss the procedures used for embalming today.
4) Understand and discuss infection control, precautions and government regulations for embalming and total preparation of a body for viewing and burial.
5). Identify the role of an assistant in the embalming process.
6). Understand the art of restoration of the deceased for viewing.
7). Identify the major components of body preparation for viewing and burial.
8) Understand and identify the role of the funeral assistant in restorative art.
9). Understand and discuss various embalming preparations for the body undergoing trauma or certain disease states.
10) Review and understand the role of OSHA and it’s regulation on the funeral service industry.
11). Examine OSHA standards and requirements when working with the deceased, and in the embalming process.
12). Review and understand principles and applications of Mortuary Cosmetology.
13). Discuss the history of modern restorative art.
14). Discuss Armed Services specifications for mortuary services.
15). Identify and discuss formaldehyde including occupational exposure, side-effects and requirements for embalming room ventilation.
16). Discuss microbial activity and safeguards when working with the deceased.
17) Identify issues related to the deceased who has had HIV, hepatitis, etc.
18). Review the mathematics of embalming chemistry.
19) Review issues of embalming for the United Kingdom.
20). Define useful methods to reduce swelling of the embalmed body.

COURSE CONTENT:

A brief abstract of content:

1). The theory and practice of embalming
2). Social, psychological and ethical issues of embalming
3). Regulatory issues related to embalming
4). Public Health and embalming
5). Use of embalming chemicals
6). Anatomical considerations
7). Vessel sites and selections
8). Body preparation prior to injection
9). Injection and drainage techniques
10). Cavity embalming
11). Preparation of autopsied bodies
12). Preparation of organ and tissue donors
13). Delayed embalming
14). Dealing with discolorations
15). Delayed embalming
16). Moisture and vascular considerations
17). Effects of drugs on the embalming process
18). Embalming for shipping
19). Restorative Art and Mortuary Cosmetology
20). Cosmetic applications
21). OSHA guidelines for funeral services industry
22). Armed Forces specifications for mortuary services
23). Mathematics of embalming chemistry
24). Formaldehyde exposure and ventilation standards
25). Dangers of injections and blood-borne pathogens
26). Antimicrobial activity of embalming chemicals
27). Preventing HIV transmission
28). Body elevation techniques for swelling
29). Management techniques for the eyes