The FSE program’s annual Mock Funeral Arrangement Day allows participants to investigate the cost of and options in arranging a funeral within a comfortable and supportive learning environment. Participants can explore the variety of funeral products and services available and compare full, traditional funerals with cremation and related options.

“Over the years, we’ve received lots of positive feedback from people who have participated in this event,” said Terri Makinson, an FSE instructor at MHCC. “They often tell us that planning ahead helps ease the grief when they need to arrange a real funeral because they can focus on celebrating the life of their loved one and worry less about making decisions.”

FSE students work directly with mock funeral arrangement participants one-on-one, answering any questions and helping them plan and budget beforehand. Knowing the options allows people to identify what they want for their own funerals, or helps families to stay informed if they need to plan for a loved one. For FSE students, it prepares them for their careers, offering a hands-on opportunity to practice arranging funerals and communicating with patrons without the emotional stress often found in real-life funeral arranging situations.

 "The mock funeral arrangement event is a wonderful opportunity for my classmates and I to practice and familiarize ourselves with conducting an arrangement before doing so in our careers or internships,” said sophomore FSE student Jessica Bishop. “I participated last year assisting our second-year students, and I found it a positive experience and it helped me better understand the planning process and details that, as funeral directors-in-training, we need to consider.”

The FSE program at MHCC started in 1970. The American Board of Funeral Service Education-accredited program helps prepare students to pass the National Board Examination – a license required for funeral directors and embalmers to operate in the United States – and a state licensing test. In Oregon, funeral service professionals must also earn an associate degree and complete a one-year apprenticeship before they can legally practice.

As one of only two Funeral Service Education program providers in the Northwest, MHCC graduates between 20 and 30 students every year in this field.

Interested in scheduling a mock funeral arrangement appointment? Contact Jessica Bishop at 917-218-2264 or email mounthoodmockarrangements@gmail.com to reserve a spot. Walk-ins are also welcome, but reserving a spot guarantees an appointment.