Moraine Park Technical College provides a comprehensive package of continuing education hours to meet the State of Wisconsin licensing requirements for Funeral Directors.
Fifteen hours of continuing education are offered every year during the two-year window that funeral directors are required to complete their continuing education. All topics available are in hourly units in categories approved by the Licensing Board of Wisconsin.
Upcoming Class:
Presenter : Michelle Johnston, Funeral Director & Embalmer
The Art and Science of Making the Deceased Recognizable(Category IV; 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)
The mission of this presentation is to equip others with the skills and knowledge to gain confidence in the prep room, be dedicated to open casket viewing, and believe that SOMETHING is possible if you’re willing to try. We also explore mistakes I’ve made along the way and how I overcame the issues to ultimately learn from each experience. Michelle will demonstrate step by step how to disinfect, preserve, and restore tissues affected by trauma, severe burns, autopsies, and decomposition. This class focuses on open casket viewing by using innovative postmortem surgical techniques for bone and soft tissue repair. You will learn new waxing methods for soft tissue repair, mortuary color theory, & tips for applying airbrush cosmetics. You’ll also discuss the importance of acquiring proper legal authorizations prior to restoration and sensitive vocabulary to use while dealing with families. Whether you are an experienced or novice embalmer you will feel empowered after attending this seminar and will have many practical things to take away. Topics include: Introduction to Advanced Reconstructive Surgery Techniques; Embalming Tips, Color Theory & Airbrush Cosmetics; and Preparing the Autopsy Case.
Family Life and the Prep Room (Category III; 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
Funerals are a valuable part of the grieving process. Seeking out ways to make them more meaningful is essential. For many people having a viewing brings them closure. For others, it means modifying funeral services to create a personalized celebration. While serving grieving families is our highest priority, we also must prioritize how to care for ourselves and our personal families to help prevent burn-out. Participants will discuss challenges unique to the funeral service profession and learn effective techniques to maintain personal well-being while fulfilling professional responsibilities. By the end of this seminar, managers, owners, and employees will acquire practical strategies for connecting with families, creating personalized celebrations, establishing boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and effectively managing their time and energy. This course will empower participants to create a supportive work environment, enhance their communication and conflict resolution skills, and develop a personal action plan for achieving and maintaining a healthy work/life balance in our profession.
Thursday, November 5, 2026
8 am-4:30 pm (Beginning promptly at 8 am)
WEST BEND CAMPUS – T137
CRN: 45003
$249 (62 & over $217.51) per person; lunch included.
Presenter : Dr. Jennifer Lares, Mortuary Science Professor
Best Practices for Effective Communication (Category I; 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.)
In this session, attendees will explore the various ways in which we transmit and receive information (body language, written, and verbal) and how to ensure your message isn’t lost in translation. We will identify common communication missteps in funeral service and resources that professionals have access to.
Ergonomics & Injury Prevention for Funeral Service (Category IV; 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.)
Deathcare professionals are often engaging in work that is hard mentally, emotionally, and especially physically. A workplace injury impacts the team, and your firm’s ability to care for your community’s families. Understanding how to incorporate safety measures into daily activities can not only prevent injuries but also provide a strong foundation for physical longevity and well-being.
Doing Right in Deathcare, An Exploration of Ethics (Category II; 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.)
Ethical standards are not universal. Today’s funeral service landscape is marred by the negative repercussions caused by unscrupulous practitioners. This session will explore the foundations of ethics and morals, the importance of maintaining high standards, and problem-solving in high-pressure situations. Scenarios will be shared and discussed.
Difficult Conversations (Category I; 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
Participants will explore common scenarios that can lead to challenging conversations with client families and within their organization. The session will identify what makes a conversation “difficult” and provide practical guidance on appropriate language, tone, and tactful FTC compliance.
Presenter : Benjamin Schmidt, Mortuary Science Professor
Stop Stabbing Toward Yourself: Practical OSHA Safety for Funeral Professionals (Category II; 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.)
This presentation examines occupational safety in funeral service, focusing on bloodborne pathogens, formaldehyde, hazardous chemicals, and regulatory reporting. Using current OSHA standards and preparation-room examples, participants will review requirements for sharps safety, exposure control plans, formaldehyde monitoring, Hazard Communication, Safety Data Sheets, employee training, and workplace incident reporting. The program also distinguishes OSHA requirements from EPA hazardous-material reporting obligations and encourages professionals to evaluate whether their safety practices are based on current evidence and regulations rather than tradition.
Embalming for Funeral Directors (Category I; 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.)
This presentation introduces or reminds funeral directors to the purpose, science, and value of embalming so they can
confidently discuss the procedure with families. Participants will explore common misconceptions, understand the basic
principles of preservation, learn appropriate terminology for communicating with the public, and examine how embalming can support meaningful funeral experiences and healthy grief through informed, compassionate conversations.
Embalming is Science (Category II; 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
As more information becomes available, our standard of care must evolve. Embalming can no longer be explained simply as an art; today’s professionals need concrete, evidence-based reasoning. Using common embalming examples, this lecture explores scientific thinking and critical thinking to improve communication and decision-making in the prep room. Attendees will learn to evaluate information sources, recognize errors in their own thinking, and apply critical thinking to better communicate with families and colleagues.
Friday, November 6, 2026
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
WEST BEND CAMPUS – T137
CRN: 45004
$249 (62 & over $217.51) per person; lunch included.
Classes are held at the WEST BEND CAMPUS (2151 N Main Street, West Bend, WI 53090).
Register for both days using CRN 45005 – $439 (62 & over $376.02) per person.
Register for Classes:
- Complete an Electronic Registration Form: include class title, course number (xxx-xxx) and 5-digit CRN.
- You will be required to create or log into a Dynamic Forms Account to complete the registration form.
(Once you have created one, navigate back to the Electronic Registration Form link above, use your username and password to log in.) - Helpful instructions to create a Dynamic Forms account.
- You will be required to create or log into a Dynamic Forms Account to complete the registration form.
- In person: Stop by Enrollment Services at any of our campuses to register in person.
For more information, contact Samantha by email or phone at 920-887-4405, TTY/VP: Use Relay/VRS
Continuing Education Credit now available to Minnesota and Illinois Licensees. Please note: Individuals from out of state may be subject to an additional out-of-state fee.