A career of compassion and care

Helping families through loss requires a unique blend of empathy, skill and professionalism. For McKenzi Shukin, the Funeral Service Diploma at Mount Royal University bridged the gap between her passion for helping others and a meaningful career in funeral service.

“My time in the Funeral Service Program gave me a wealth of knowledge and ample opportunities to expand on many skill sets that have served me well in the beginnings of my career in the funeral industry,” Shukin says.

Designed to prepare students to become licensed funeral directors and embalmers in Alberta, the program blends hands-on experience with coursework in health sciences, restorative art, business, microbiology, psychology and funeral law. Students also gain an understanding of diverse cultural and religious traditions, ensuring they can offer sensitive, respectful support to every family they serve.

Through her coursework and practicum, Shukin learned how to navigate difficult conversations, anticipate the needs of grieving families and honor their wishes. Applying these interpersonal skills in real-world settings gave her the confidence to lead meetings and large funerals, manage requests, and, most importantly, “make someone’s vision come to life on how to honor the life of those beloved individuals.”

Shukin credits the program’s small group learning environment for its hands-on approach. “I appreciated being able to visualize the process in a limited group size to allow us to immerse fully in the practice,” she says. “Other things, some as seemingly small as stretcher training, made a world of a difference when it came to feeling prepared and properly trained for the demands of working at a funeral home.”

Shukin also highlights the impact of her instructors. “The instructors at Mount Royal are all incredibly helpful, knowledgeable and passionate about the funeral profession and their careers in the industry. They genuinely want students to succeed and be a part of as many opportunities as possible to achieve their goals and secure long-term employment.”

Her practicum experience helped her build valuable industry connections, resulting in a smooth transition from graduation to a fulfilling career. With the right blend of knowledge, experience and empathy, Shukin has found a way to make a meaningful difference in life’s most challenging moments.