As indicated in About the Apprenticeship Program, you must obtain full time employment at a funeral home as an Apprentice Funeral Director/Embalmer in order to be accepted into the Funeral Service Association of BC Apprenticeship Program or upon completion of the Foundation Program.
How do I find an Apprenticeship?
If you are interested in an apprenticeship at a funeral home within BC submit your resume by email to the FSABC at info@bcfunerals.com
We also encourage you to send your resume to the individual funeral homes that are of interest. To find a listing of funeral homes in your area check the FSABC website.
What Is the Selection Process?
When you apply for an apprenticeship, first make sure that you are aware of and possess the minimum skills and requirements for the job. Information on apprenticeship qualifications is available in the About the Apprenticeship Program section of this HR Toolkit.
All resumes received will be reviewed and forwarded by FSABC to funeral homes on their request. The hiring manager at the funeral home will contact potential apprentices directly to initiate the selection process. If you are selected for an interview you will be contacted by the funeral home directly.
The hiring manager will advise you on whether or not you have been selected for an apprenticeship with their funeral home. The job offer will be contingent on satisfactory background/reference checks. Some positions may require additional checks or testing prior to your start date. Admission requirements for most funeral service apprenticeship programs include:
- Grade 12 completion (or equivalent from a recognized post-secondary institution)
- Level 1 WorkSafe Occupational First Aid
- Immunization for Hepatitis B
The hiring manager will let you know of these requirements ahead of time.
Preparing For the Interview
Regardless of your age and professional background job searching and finding the right employer can feel like a tremendous undertaking. Reviewing expert tips on writing the resume, researching the funeral home and preparing for an interview can go a long way in building your comfort level with the process. There are numerous resources available online including:
BCjobs.ca – offers a wide range of career related articles including resume, interview and networking advice
Service Canada: Training and Careers – provides tips and resources for job seekers including practice interview questions, preparing your references and interview do’s and don’ts.
It is also beneficial to review the website(s) for the funeral home(s) you are interviewing with to become familiar with their size, staffing, philosophy and history. Identify any questions you’d like to ask during the interview process.
Be familiar with the Apprenticeship Program information provided in this HR Toolkit.
Evaluating the Job Offer
When considering whether this is the right job offer for you, be sure to look at the entire package. When it comes to comparing compensation packages keep in mind that the package offered from each funeral home will likely differ. It is important to look beyond base pay and look at the big picture to ensure you have are making a reasonable comparison before making an employment decision. Here are some compensation related details you may wish to consider as part of the total package:
- Health benefits including medical, dental and extended health
- Insurance benefits such as life insurance, accidental death insurance, disability insurance
- Vacation time
- Sick/Personal Days
- Retirement or pension plans
- Profit sharing or other individual or group incentive programs
- Tuition Reimbursement benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- On Call Premiums
- Other perquisites including parking, vehicle allowance, club memberships, clothing allowance etc.
Be sure to consider the total compensation including base pay and benefits. Benefits can often increase the value of base compensation by 30% or more. Depending on your personal and career goals, it may also be important to find out about work place practices such as opportunities for advancement, flexible work options and wellness initiatives to find the right employer for you.
