Everstory University opens continuing education to funeral professionals in two states

Everstory Partners is widening its Everstory University training program beyond employees, offering state-approved continuing education courses online to funeral professionals in Florida and North Carolina. The move gives licensed workers a flexible way to meet training requirements while Everstory looks to expand the program into more states in 2026 and 2027.

Why it matters: - Everstory Partners is turning an internal training program into a wider workforce-development tool for the deathcare industry. - Funeral professionals in Florida and North Carolina can now use Everstory University to complete approved continuing education credits online and on demand. - The expansion adds a flexible option for workers who need to maintain licenses and keep skills current while managing irregular schedules.

What happened: - Everstory Partners expanded Everstory University beyond its own workforce. - The company is offering state-approved continuing education courses to funeral professionals in Florida and North Carolina. - The courses are available online and on demand. - The program launched in Florida in August 2025 and expanded to North Carolina in August 2026.

The details: - External funeral professionals can enroll for $40 per course. - Everstory employees can still take the courses at no cost. - Current approved courses in both states include A Guide to Empathy in the Workplace for two credit hours, Grief Support Training for Deathcare/Funeral Professionals for one credit hour, and HIV, AIDS and Other Bloodborne Pathogens for one credit hour. - Additional courses are available by state. - Before offering credit, Everstory had to become an approved continuing education provider in Florida and North Carolina. - Each course then had to be submitted for review and approval under each state’s requirements. - In North Carolina, the Board of Funeral Service approves providers, courses and instructors. - In Florida, courses must be approved through the Board of Funeral, Cemetery and Consumer Services and listed with the applicable course information. - Megan Humphries and Alana Smith are approved instructors for Everstory University courses. - Funeral professionals can review courses, state approvals, credit hours and registration information at everstorypartners.com/everstory-university. - The company also provided a contact for more information: Alan Byrd at 407-415-8470 or alan@byrdconnections.com.

Between the lines: - The expansion follows strong employee use of Everstory University for professional development and career growth. - Karen Sheean, Everstory Partners’ chief people officer, said the company saw an opportunity to extend some of that training outside the organization and strengthen the industry. - Megan Humphries, vice president of people development, said workforce development includes investing in people already in the profession, not just recruiting new hires. - Florida had about 1,160 morticians, undertakers and funeral arrangers in 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. - North Carolina had about 940 in 2024. - North Carolina projects an average of 113 openings a year in the occupation, including openings from growth and replacement needs. - Everstory said the courses are meant to be engaging, not just compliant. - The company wants participants to leave with material they can apply in their work. - Earlier this year, Everstory earned Great Place To Work Certification for the second straight year after more than 90% of employees participated in the survey. - The company has also launched an Aspiring Manager Program and expanded access to national industry conferences.

What's next: - Everstory Partners plans to expand Everstory University to additional states during the rest of 2026 and into 2027. - The company is likely to add more state-specific course approvals as it enters new markets. - Funeral professionals in current and future states can expect more online continuing education options if the expansion continues.

The bottom line: - Everstory Partners is using its internal learning platform to address a broader industry need: accessible, state-approved training for funeral professionals who need flexible ways to keep learning and stay licensed.