CAMPUS/FACILITIES

The Institute’s modern and attractively/decorated facilities are located at 415 Barren Springs Dr. , Houston , Texas 77090 . Space is dedicated solely for mortuary education, which consists of a spacious reception office, open library, and various staff and faculty offices. These include the President, the business Office, the Office of Admissions, the Faculty, a Merchandising and Counseling Laboratory, as well as a storage area for the Restorative Art and Color Cosmetics Laboratory.

LIBRARY    

As a result of recent library improvements, the Institute has established an on-line library and audio-visual holdings that have become a source of pride. Over 1,000 new titles were added to the collection recently, resulting in an abundant collection of available works in thanatology, counseling, funeral directing, embalming, and business. Current books in support of each instructional area of the Institute are also available as well as a collection of mortuary service journals, supply houses periodicals, state and national journals, dating back to 1914 and other works of historical significance.

The George Poston Memorial Library has over 3,700 volumes and subscribes to over 25 periodicals and newspapers in the funeral profession. The Library is arranged in open stacks, enabling students to browse and make their own book selections. The facilities include reading and study area, group study area, photocopier, computer access stations and video viewing equipment.

The library’s web page is http://www.commonwealthinstlibrary.org and offers more information about the Library services.

Bibliographic information about the library’s material collection is available via an online public access catalog. The library provides Internet access, full-text periodical and newspaper databases and other electronic reference sources. The reference collection of print volumes includes bibliographies, atlases, periodical indexes and other reference sources. Special archive collections include early mortuary periodicals, early trade catalogs, and past CIFS yearbooks.

Instruction in library research methodology and current research technology is provided for individuals and classes under the direction of a professional librarian.

The Library ‘s holdings are supplemented by participation in the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC), a computerized international network of over 20,000 libraries and by membership in the Library & Information Resources Network (LIRN), a library consortium of over 60 private colleges and universities serving a diverse and international student population. In addition, LIRN provides on and off campus access to many full text, bibliographic and electronic journals and databases covering a wide array of subjects.

The Institute’s clinical facilities are located on the premises of Commonwealth.

The three-suite embalming facility is handling about 1,000 human remains per year.

Protective clothing and protective eye wear are provided to each student to ensure a safe and professional environment. A minimum of fifteen embalmings are required of each student prior to graduation.  The Institute’s clinical program provides the vital link between theory and practice and helps to integrate and apply knowledge gained in restorative art, cosmetology, pathology, anatomy, microbiology and chemistry as well as the theory of embalming itself.  Practical experience is the Institute’s top priority and knows practical experience is vital to the student’s success.

Commonwealth Institute offers students a unique experience in practical embalming and general care of the dead. Another educational experience is the relationships that Commonwealth has with the Baylor College of Medicine, and the University of Texas Medical School at Houston whereby our students embalm anatomical donations for medical study.