Funeral Director Recertification

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. An additional 7.5 hours are offered in Fall of the 2nd certification year to help funeral directors who may need additional hours to meet the licensing requirements.

All topics available are in hourly units in categories approved by the Licensing Board of Wisconsin. The schedule of topics is designed to allow funeral directors to finish their continuing education requirements in one year, over two years, or to pick up additional hours to meet the 15 hour requirement. The schedule is as follows:

Year One:
Spring: one day, 7.5 hours
Summer: two days, 15 hours (combination of the spring and fall topics)
December: one day, 7.5 hours (different topic than spring session)

Year Two:
Same schedule as Year One with the addition of 7.5 hours offered in Fall (topic is a duplication of either spring or December offering.)

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, April 24, 2025
8 am-4:30 pm (Beginning promptly at 8 am)
Fond du Lac Campus – Conference Center, O109-C
CRN: 44024

$229 (62 & over $190.80) per person.

Presenter : Michael Sharkey, Funeral Director/Attorney

Legal Concerns and Best Practices for the Modern Funeral Director (Category II; 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
This presentation will be an analysis and review of the latest developments in mortuary law, discussion of cases drawn from the personal experience of Attorney Michael Sharkey as both a mortuary law practitioner and expert witness. It will include “best practice advise” and “take home ideas” for the participants to implement at their funeral businesses. The overall theme is for attendees is to learn how to better protect their business, reputation in the community, and pocketbook. Discussion will include nuances of the GPL and how it can be used to bolster the funeral home, a better understanding of insurance, a review of legal and PR pitfalls seen in mortuary law and how to avoid them, and anecdotes from Attorney Sharkey’s personal work that are informative for the modern funeral service professional.

NEW! Bloodborne Pathogens (Category IV; 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.)
Funeral Director Mark Arnold produces and directs this one hour long video presentation which focuses on OSHA training for funeral directors and discusses the bloodborne pathogen standard and other funeral service specific OSHA concerns. Attorney Michael Sharkey will proctor the session and be available for interactive questions.

A Peer Driven Communication Analysis of the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Funeral Service Ethics (Category I; 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
This three hour long presentation will be taught using the Socratic Method in which the audience attendees drive the conversation, discussion, and debate funeral service ethics with Attorney Michael Sharkey serving as a facilitator. This method of communication stimulates critical thinking and draws out ideas and underlying assumptions. The framework and basis for both general business ethics and the use an Ethics Code to be applied to the subject matter discussed. Further exploration will be various funeral service ethical fact patterns coming from personal experience and practice. The goal is to have a truly interactive back and forth dialogue that provides attendees with greater confidence in talking to large groups, allows them to develop the ability to argue and be persuasive, and teaches them to think critically within the context of funeral service ethics. This program has been very well received at state conventions and is unique in its Socratic dialogue approach that facilitates attendee participation.

Friday, April 25, 2025
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Fond du Lac Campus – Conference Center, O109-C
CRN: 44026

$229 (62 & over $190.80) per person.

Register for both days using CRN 44025. $399 (62 & over $341.62) per person.

Register now by calling 920-924-3207 or 1-800-472-4554, TTY/VP: Use Relay/VRS

Classes are held at the Fond du Lac Campus (235 N National Ave, Fond du Lac, WI 54935), Conference Center O109-C.

For more information, contact Leanne by email or phone at 920-924-6408, 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.