PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Louis Misantone Ph.D., LFD The successful funeral director in this country must place a relative value on services rendered apart from merchandise purchased.  Rising environmental concerns, the advent of AIDS and hepatitis, and the increasing role of government in regulating the workplace environment through OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) have contributed to the complexity of the funeral profession.  In addition, consumer preferences have shifted from earth burial to cremation, the value of the funeral has been questioned by an increasingly mobile society and the development of corporate funeral home conglomerates has increased competition in the funeral business.  Funeral Service has become a complex profession, and those entering it have much to learn.

Knowledge of modern business practices as they pertain to funeral service, sensitivity to the needs of bereaved persons, understanding of the importance of sanitation and the public health, practical hands on training in all aspects of a working funeral home business, and the ability to adapt to rapid social, technological and economic changes will be the gauges of success for today’s funeral service students entering the profession. What is needed from the educational system is focused and relevant academic courses, training in state of the art computer use and a mandatory, comprehensive, practical work experience.  This combination will provide students with the basis from which they can reach that new plane of professionalism which will be required of funeral service practitioners in the coming decade.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

• To instill a high level of caring, professional attitudes and ideals, and a commitment to ethical standards of conduct within each of FINE’s students.
• To provide students with the knowledge and experience to prepare human remains in a sanitary, safe and acceptable manner for viewing and final disposition.
• To insist on strict adherence to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) rules and regulations in the preparation room and take corrective action when these standards are not being met.
• To provide students with knowledge of and practical experience in Funeral Service sufficient to pass the National Board Examination and enter the Funeral Profession.
• To sensitize students to the immediate needs of the bereaved families and friends so they can provide compassion and comfort, as well as direction, to these loved ones.
• To provide an education which will allow the students to communicate effectively with professionals in the health, law and business fields.
• To hire faculty members who are good role models to teach professional attitudes and a commitment to ethical standards of conduct.
• To provide students with knowledge about the Funeral Service Profession that is both in historical perspective and current with recent professional developments.
• To provide students with knowledge about current business practices and laws which are directly related to the Funeral Service business.
• To provide for students’ exposure to and practice on computers and funeral service-specific software.
• To expose students to various business vendors serving the Funeral Service profession with merchandise, business and grief related items and services.
• To make students aware of their responsibilities as members and leaders of the communities in which they serve.
• To provide the skills necessary for completing research in the field of Funeral Service.

THE  FUNERAL SERVICE  OATH I DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR BY THAT WHICH I HOLD MOST SACRED:

• That I shall be loyal to the Funeral Service Profession, and just and generous to its members;
• That I shall lead my life, and practice my art, in uprightness and honor;
• That into whomever’s house I shall enter it shall be for the benefit of those bereaved;
• That I shall obey the civil laws;
• That I shall be faithful to those who place their trust in me.

While I continue to keep this oath, may it be granted to me to enjoy honor in my life and in my profession, and may I be  respected by all people for all time.

HISTORY

FINE Mortuary College, LLC: A Private Two Year College began as the Funeral Institute of the North East, LLC in 1996 when Louis Misantone, Ph.D., LFD,  Lyn Prendergast, Ph.D., and the late Joanne Sperr and her husband Bill, founded the school with the backing of several funeral professionals and persons interested in promoting excellence in education in funeral service. 

The Founders were determined to emphasize comprehensive practical experience and excellent academic training. In addition to keeping a good balance between “hands on experience” and “book learning”, the Founders and Management of FINE wanted to be responsive to the ever-changing needs of the funeral profession. Further, the Founders wanted to provide a school in which the scheduling needs of working students and their need and desire to finish within a brief  time was a priority.  Over the next few years FINE grew in all aspects.  Academically the Institute became a College when the Diploma in Funeral Service (Associate Degree Equivalent) became an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Funeral Service in June, 2001. The seven member student body in 1996 became more than sixty by 2000.  The number of faculty increased from two in the Fall ’96 term to fifteen by 1998 with more than half holding a license to practice as a funeral service professional.  The number of classrooms increased by a third and a small museum, open to the public, was added. Federal Financial Aid was added in 1999 to help students pay for their FINE education. To help students who have been out of school for a while or to aid those who need extra academic work, a tutor service was added in 2000.

In 2006 a Directed Studies course was added which coupled a for-credit course with it to aid students in developing better study skills and learning habits using a required course as a model. Plans for further growth are in motion. Excellence in education continues with constant evaluation and revision of course work in coordination with the Faculty Curriculum Committee and the Governing Board of Directors, the Cooperative Board, the Administration, the Faculty and, most importantly, the students. From 2004 through 2008, FINE’s student pass rate on the National Board Exam averaged 96% - the HIGHEST OF ALL THE New England Mortuary Colleges.

In 2000, a FINE graduate attained the highest NBE score in the USA. In 2007 another distance education course, Current Topics was added with the expectation of more in the future. Also upcoming will be increasing associations with funeral homes and businesses. Enlarging the museum to promote funeral service will continue so that FINE will continue as a top-notch single purpose college for the education of funeral professionals.

Accreditation:

The Associate Degree in Applied Science in Funeral Service program at

FINE Mortuary College, LLC: A Private Two Year College in accredited by the

American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE)

3414 Ashland Avenue, Suite G, St. Joseph, MO 64506 (816) 233-3747 ~ www.abfse.org