•Publication Date：03/21/2014
•Source： Taiwan Today
Taiwan is looking to be the first Asian country issuing professional mortician licenses as early as in April, the ROC Ministry of the Interior said March 20.
The certification system will elevate the overall quality of the funeral services industry, the MOI said. Old taboos about the job are gradually eroding, a change that can be partially attributed to the success of the 2008 Japanese film “Departures,” the MOI added.
Following 2012 revisions to the Funeral Industry Management Act, the MOI obtained authority to set administrative rules for mortician certification. The new system comprises three facets: professional training, skills testing and mortician certification. To qualify, a candidate must pass the related skills tests, complete at least 20 course credits and have at least two years of on-the-job experience.
In 2012, in accordance with the certification system, the Ministry of Labor introduced a qualification test for a Class B funeral services technician. A total of 2,221 people applied, with written tests conducted in November last year and practical tests slated for April this year.
The scope of the curriculum for professional mortician training was announced last year and a task force convened to oversee course quality, the MOI said. A total of 13 universities and vocational colleges now offer 755 accredited courses.
According to the MOI, more than 200 funeral director certificates are expected to be issued in the first tranche this year. More trained professionals are likely to enter the business as the related education programs continue to mature, the MOI added.
