Online Certificate Programs at Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Services

A Brief Overview

The Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Services (CIFS) is a wonderful place for future funeral service practitioners to earn premiere training, instruction and certification.

CIFS is a vocational, post secondary teaching institution with a primary purpose to educate individuals interested in the subjects comprising the mortuary arts and sciences curriculum, as set out by the American Board of Funeral Service Education, for licensure and a career in funeral service, embalming, or both. 

The mission of CIFS is to prepare students for entry level positions in the funeral service profession. CIFS has an established reputation as the leading provider of funeral service education in the nation and is the only institution of its type to also be a licensed funeral home.

A student may select to complete the certificate in funeral directing via web-based instruction (online or eLearning). Courses taken through this option follow the same academic term and length, and have the same rigorous academic and admission requirements as those taken on-campus.

Certification in Funeral Directing

The online certificate in Funeral Directing aims to teach students how to provide and conduct funeral services for a variety of purposes, including ceremonies of religious, fraternal, military, traditional, humanistic or nontraditional nature. Graduates are educated in core areas of focus, such as the preparation needs (other than embalming) of a dead human body for burial and other means of final disposition. In addition, students will be trained in the proper way to perform funeral arrangement conferences with families, conduct necessary paperwork in funeral home management and understand proper workplace safety guidelines for funeral service personnel. The program also supports students in the process to find entry-level employment as an apprentice/intern/provisional licensee with a funeral home, cemetery, pre-need sales organization or affiliate funeral service merchandise company.

Why Choose CIFS Online?

• Making Your Education Convenient: Flexibility is essential to students who manage a busy work schedule and personal commitments.  Therefore, the online program at CIFS is proud to offer its students a chance to earn an education at their own convenience.  
• Accelerated Format: Online courses are taught in an accelerated format, allowing students to earn their certificate in only 6 to 9 months.
• Quality Instructors: Commonwealth Institute believes in utilizing industry experienced instructors .Thus, students can be confident that they receive the highest class education.
• Year Round Help Desk: Should any technical difficulties arise, a 24/7/365 Tech Support team is waiting to address student concerns and resolve issues. 

Experiencing the Online Environment at CIFS

CIFS' online certificate program is committed to enhancing and facilitating learning in an online environment that contributes to student success and academic excellence. Virtual settings, such as online class sessions, discussion boards and live chat, afford students with opportunities to explore their educations through a new medium.  Online classrooms create an open environment in which students can research freely, enter into academic debates, raise questions related to class lectures and explore new networking options. Furthermore, students have the benefit of learning at their individual pace and even scheduling study sessions around personal responsibilities.

Additionally, online instruction promotes a strong relationship between students and faculty members.  Often times, students enrolled in distance learning programs discover that their willingness to join in class discussions or contact instructors increases due to the online format.  Online settings provide students with a measure of comfort and ease, thus encouraging an enriching educational environment.  Additionally, the faculty at CIFS is made up of some the most innovative and bright individuals in the field of funeral service education. CIFS is devoted to utilizing industry experienced instructors, so students can be confident in their abilities as capable and responsible practitioners.

Additional Resources for Students

With all these resources at students' fingertips, CIFS is a step ahead of the rest. CIFS maintains a state-of-the-art learning facility, which includes preparation facilities for practical technical training. CIFS is also proud to have established unique affiliations with Baylor College of Medicine, the University of Texas Medical School and Harris County Department of Social Services - allowing students to participate in over 1000 annual "real-life" funeral service experiences. Another distinctive quality about CIFS is its close relationship with the National Museum of Funeral History. CIFS is the only funeral service college to offer so many special resources to students.

Accreditation

Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Services is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education, a specialized accrediting agency recognized by the Council of Recognition of Post Secondary Accreditation and the U.S. Office of Education. Commonwealth Institute is also recognized by the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards of the U.S., Inc., an organization composed of the various state funeral service licensing agencies.