As the home of the only university-housed crematory in the country and one of just six mortuary science and funeral services bachelor’s degree programs in the United States, Southern Illinois University (SIU) Carbondale is expanding its leadership in the field with a continuing education program for crematory operators.

Robert Broomfield, associate instructor, said SIU is one of only five organizations in the state to offer a program that meets new state regulations for crematory operators to receive two hours of continuing education every five years. “This is a pretty big deal for us,” he noted.

In addition, SIU’s mortuary science bachelor’s degree, the only such program in the state, is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education. SIU graduates are eligible to obtain a license from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to become funeral directors and embalmers. Since the vast majority of programs offer associate degrees, this makes SIU graduates more competitive, say officials.

SIU offers one of just eight approved crematory training programs in the state, giving students yet another experience to add to their portfolio. A full cremation certification training course is offered as part of the regular curriculum for on-campus mortuary science and funeral service students. Those who successfully complete Broomfield’s class will graduate with their crematory operator certification, approved by the division of Pre-need Licensing and Certification Enforcement (PLACE), within the Illinois Comptroller’s Office.

The cremation continuing education course is a two-hour, self-paced class. The first was held August 25, and a new course begins each Wednesday thereafter through October 30. (Additional dates will be added.) Details and registration for the course are available at continuinged.siu.edu/siu-courses/cremation-course.php.

In addition to leading classes for SIU students, Broomfield recently began teaching the full crematory operator certification course in person for working professionals at scheduled times. He said numerous people can benefit from earning the credentials, including funeral home and crematory operators, vault company employees, even those who install crematories. SIU hopes to enable online registration for the online crematory operator certification course this autumn as well.

SIU’s crematory was installed in early 2023. All bodies donated to the SIU School of Medicine at Carbondale come to the mortuary science program for cremation after their time in the medical school is finished. In addition, as a public service for local coroners who must find a resolution for abandoned bodies, SIU provides crematory services for a nominal maintenance fee. The crematory does not offer services to the public or funeral homes. siu.edu