Levels of Membership
The Membership of The British Institute of Embalmers
The membership of the British Institute of Embalmers consists of 7 distinct groups across our 11 geographical divisions:-
- Members (including International Members and Overseas Unattached Members)
- Fellows
- Honorary Members
- Retired Members
- Affiliate Members
- Registered Students (including Associate Members)
- International Students
You can find out more about becoming a qualified member of the Institute, what our qualifying courses entail, and search for an accredited tutor via the links below.
Members
On successful completion of the theoretical and practical examinations, the award of membership may be made, upon application, to students considered suitable.
Membership may also be granted to candidates whose qualifications are considered compatible with the standards required. Other International members may hold direct membership.
Fellows
Members shall join the Company of Fellows by Invitation from the Fellows themselves. Such appointments shall be announced at the Institute’s Annual General Meetings but shall be subject to the approval of the National Council in accordance with the Articles of Association.
A Presiding Member of the Fellows shall be elected by the Fellows themselves, and shall be known as the Master Fellow.
Honorary Members
Honorary Members are approved by the National Council. An individual Division may nominate one of their long-standing members who no longer actively participates as an embalmer but has actively supported the Institute over a number of years.
This level of membership may not hold office or may not vote.
Retired Members
Those Members who cease active participation in the Funeral or Embalming profession through retirement or permanent ill health may apply to the National Council to have their Membership transferred to a Register of Retired Members providing they pay the subscription applicable to such membership which shall be decided by a General Meeting from time to time.
Retired membership shall carry no voting rights at any duly constituted meeting of the Institute at Divisional or National Level, unless they have a continuous and unbroken record of payment of their annual subscription as a Full Member over a minimum period of twenty-five years.
Affiliate Members
Affiliate Membership will be considered from qualified full members of specific organisations aligned to embalming, anatomical sciences, health and safety etc. This list to be agreed by The Executive Committee along with representatives from the National Education Committee and International Examination Authority.
They will be eligible to attend AGM and National educational events but will have no voting rights nor will they be eligible to hold a National Position/Office.
Registered Students
To register for Student Membership of the Institute the student must have a Tuition Contract with a BIE Accredited Tutor. Both the student and the Accredited Tutor must sign each page of the Tuition Contract and a copy of such must accompany the application to become a registered student.
Practical tuition must not commence for all new students until the student has successfully passed their Module 1 examination. Registration as a Student with the Institute will convey no voting rights.
International Students
To register for International Student Membership of the Institute, the student must have a Tuition Contract with an Embalming School. It is the responsibility of the prospective International Student to provide evidence of registration with an Embalming School. Both the student and Tutor/Dean of the school must sign the application form for International Student membership.
All applications for International Student Membership will be sent to International Office of the British Institute of Embalmers and will be reviewed by the International Examination Authority on behalf of National Council.