Embalming Applications Lab

Clinical Embalming Lab

The embalming lab is designed for the application of classroom curriculum in the embalming sciences, with two primary embalming stations where students engage in the practical application of Clinical Mortuary Practice I, II, and III curriculum.  Students participate in hands-on learning in small, assigned groups with licensed clinical instructors. Groups are structured specifically to provide the best range of student experience levels, ranging from those with no clinical experience to those who may have excessive experience assisting licensed professionals during the embalming process.

Instructors will familiarize students with:

• personal safety practices
• lab operations and organization
• regulations and legal processes
• instrumentation
• chemicals
• removal and transfer of deceased human remains
• disinfection and preparation
• embalming operations

Distance Education:

Students in our distance education program will work with Preceptor Funeral Homes near their geographic location. Students participating in the online CMP program are required to complete an in-person evaluation and embalming after the completion of their 30 required cases in person at the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science facility. This embalming will be evaluated by a CCMS instructor to confirm proficiency in the clinical skills required for graduation. This will be scheduled and coordinated with the CMP Coordinator. For more information on Preceptor Requirements, please view the Remote Clinical Mortuary Science Preceptor - Student Handbook.

Lab Schedule

Students begin their clinical practice in semester I with Clinical Mortuary Practice I (CMP I) and continue throughout their tenure.  Each student is assigned to a lab group prior to each term, consisting of approximately 5-10 of their peers who have varying degrees of experience. Group sizes are determined by enrollment and each group works collectively during their assigned weekly lab time.

Distance Education Clinical Mortuary Practice I (CMP):

The Remote Clinical Mortuary Practice allows remote study students to complete the required clinical lab requirements for graduation in an off-campus funeral home instructional site. Students enrolled in CMP may participate in: transfers, embalming, cosmetics, dressing and casketing, and other preparations of human remains for final disposition. The student, the funeral home, and the College enter a tri-party relationship in which each must accept responsibility for the student’s learning experience. The goal of this relationship is to provide students with an opportunity to participate in the actual practice of post-mortem preparation of human remains and to grow and develop skills being taught in Embalming Theory. 

Schedule & Time Involvement: 

The CMP program requires that the student be involved in adequate lab time to reinforce the practices being taught in Embalming Theory. To do this, the student is expected to be available for at least 3 hours per week between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. It is recommended that hours are tentatively agreed upon in advance but parties remain flexible and ready to make adjustments based on case availability.

The primary consideration is that the student be available during periods of embalming and decedent preparation activity. This is necessary for the student to become involved in all activities required for completion of the course, and students are expected to be flexible in their scheduling for this reason. Students who want to gain additional experience by working extra hours and/or being available for night embalming and transfers are encouraged to do with the permission and support of the preceptor. 

Time Log:

Students are required to record hours on a time sheet provided by the faculty coordinator. This log is to be signed by the mentor at the conclusion of the CMP section. Students are required to complete at least 36 hours of logged time per CMP. It may be necessary to complete more time to meet the graduation case requirements. 

Students in our distance education program will work with an approved Preceptor Funeral Home near their geographic location. For more information on distance education lab scheduling requirements, please see the Remote Clinical Mortuary Practice Preceptor-Student Handbook.

Lab Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 30 clinical operations in order to meet graduation requirements. Ample opportunity typically exists for students to exceed the amount of required embalming operations via volunteer opportunities. 

Distance Education:

The student will complete 20 clinical case reports, 5 cosmetic case reports, and 5 transportation case reports. (15 of the 20 clinical case reports must be embalming cases. A total of 5 can be sanitary care/setting features/ or other decedent preparation. The total 30 reports must be completed over the course of CMPI-III. It is suggested to complete 10 cases per section) with their Preceptor Funeral Home. 

Students will also be required to complete an in-person evaluation and embalming after the completion of their 30 required cases in person at the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science facility. This embalming will be evaluated by a CCMS instructor to confirm proficiency in the clinical skills required for graduation. This will be scheduled and coordinated with the CMP Coordinator.

For more information on distance education requirements, please see the Remote Clinical Mortuary Practice Preceptor-Student Handbook.