Resources

E- course (not self study, rather held once a month)

Here's What You Need to Know:
1. The course costs $300.00. This is a huge investment especially at this time but it's information that is going to enhance perception as well as cultural, professional, and relational competency.  There is a group discount for groups of five or more. The group rate is $227.00 per participant ($73.00 savings). 

There is a day-long hands-on training that builds upon the basics taught in this course however due to COVID and travel restrictions it is not available at this time. We hope to resume hosting the hands-on training in April 2021. Taking this course is REQUIRED prior to attending the day-long session. 

Private sessions are available for funeral home staff, professionals outside of the country, and other groups.

2. THIS COURSE IS OPEN TO NON-LICENSED PROFESSIONALS (students and non-licensed support teams). It is also a great resource for doulas, health care professionals, and medical examination and forensic teams. 

3. Caring for the hair, skin and cosmetic needs of the deceased is a vital function and responsibility for ALL DEATH CARE PROFESSIONALS.  End of life health care workers, death doulas, and funeral service professionals all play a vital role in ensuring that the death is as comfortable as possible during their transition and that their families have the best overall memory picture. The hair, skin, and cosmetic care of the deceased frame much of this experience. Sadly, until now there has been no professional training offered which focuses on the hair, skin, and cosmetic care of black dying and deceased. 

4. This course has been designed to educate and empower death care professionals from all backgrounds, experiences, and skill levels. Topics of discussion will include: 

• Black Hair History
• African American Hair in Culture & Society
• Religious and Spiritual Observances 
• Hair Textures and Types (suggested treatment)
• Natural vs Chemically Treated Hair (suggested treatment)
• Hair Replacements and Accessories 
• Grooming Suggestions for Black Men
• Tools and Products 
• Communication, Language, and Terminology & Open Discussion 
• Black Skin & Cosmetic Care Basics & Open Discussion 
• Q&A
• ... and much much more! 

5. The course is not designed to train you to become a cosmetologist, barber, makeup artist, or esthetician. Instead, it is designed to introduce very basic yet powerfully impactful skills, knowledge, and information that will enable participants to achieve the following objectives:  

• Understand the value and importance of having basic understanding, skill, and competency as it relates to catering to the black demographic.
• Break communication barriers between death care professionals and families concerning black hair, skin, and cosmetic care needs at the time of death.
• Educate death care professionals about the basics of black hair, skin, and cosmetic care.
• Respond to questions about black hair, skin, and cosmetic care.
• Empower death care professionals to confidently provide basic quality hair, skin, and cosmetic care to African American and ethnic decedents through the introduction of specific yet simple styling and cosmetic techniques and terminology.

6. This course will be hosted virtually.

This course is approved for 1.5 Continuing Education credits through the Academy for Professionals Funeral Service Practice (APFSP) in the following states: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.