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Benni
Student
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Good morning all, I'm Curious on what a career as a mortician might look like?
Hello there, I am 18 studying at a trade school (or technically working at one?) and stumbled across an occupation that really caught my interest. I'd like to know from others who pursued this career what it's like to work in it?
-With gratitude, Benni W.
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3 answers
Jesus Montes
I pull orders with a forklift
6
Answers
Wellington, Colorado
Updated
Jesus’s Answer
Good morning! A career as a mortician, also known as a funeral director, can be both challenging and rewarding. Here’s an overview of what it entails:
### **Responsibilities**
- **Preparation of the Deceased**: This includes embalming, dressing, and cosmetically preparing the body for viewing.
- **Funeral Arrangements**: Coordinating all aspects of the funeral service, including scheduling, transportation, and liaising with cemeteries or crematoriums.
- **Support for Families**: Providing emotional support and guidance to grieving families, helping them make decisions about the funeral service.
- **Administrative Duties**: Handling paperwork such as death certificates and legal documents¹².
### **Education and Training**
- **Degree**: Typically, an associate degree in mortuary science is required. Some may pursue a bachelor’s degree for more advanced knowledge.
- **Apprenticeship**: Practical experience through internships or apprenticeships at funeral homes is essential.
- **Licensing**: A state license is required, which involves passing an exam³⁴.
### **Skills Needed**
- **Empathy and Compassion**: Essential for supporting grieving families.
- **Attention to Detail**: Important for preparing the deceased and organizing services.
- **Communication**: Clear and sensitive communication with families and other service providers²⁵.
### **Salary and Job Outlook**
- **Average Salary**: Around $58,203 per year, but this can vary based on experience and location².
- **Job Stability**: The demand for morticians remains steady, as their services are always needed¹.
### **Pros and Cons**
- **Pros**: Rewarding work, job stability, and the opportunity to help families during difficult times.
- **Cons**: Emotional stress, irregular hours, and the need to handle deceased bodies⁵.
### **Responsibilities**
- **Preparation of the Deceased**: This includes embalming, dressing, and cosmetically preparing the body for viewing.
- **Funeral Arrangements**: Coordinating all aspects of the funeral service, including scheduling, transportation, and liaising with cemeteries or crematoriums.
- **Support for Families**: Providing emotional support and guidance to grieving families, helping them make decisions about the funeral service.
- **Administrative Duties**: Handling paperwork such as death certificates and legal documents¹².
### **Education and Training**
- **Degree**: Typically, an associate degree in mortuary science is required. Some may pursue a bachelor’s degree for more advanced knowledge.
- **Apprenticeship**: Practical experience through internships or apprenticeships at funeral homes is essential.
- **Licensing**: A state license is required, which involves passing an exam³⁴.
### **Skills Needed**
- **Empathy and Compassion**: Essential for supporting grieving families.
- **Attention to Detail**: Important for preparing the deceased and organizing services.
- **Communication**: Clear and sensitive communication with families and other service providers²⁵.
### **Salary and Job Outlook**
- **Average Salary**: Around $58,203 per year, but this can vary based on experience and location².
- **Job Stability**: The demand for morticians remains steady, as their services are always needed¹.
### **Pros and Cons**
- **Pros**: Rewarding work, job stability, and the opportunity to help families during difficult times.
- **Cons**: Emotional stress, irregular hours, and the need to handle deceased bodies⁵.
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1886
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Benni !
I have had relatives and friends that have been and are Funeral Directors so I thought I'd shed some light on what the career is about. Each professional funeral director brings a little something special to the role, so it begins with being outgoing, compassionate, understanding and having a large capacity to do many skills at once. I will discuss some steps to becoming one but you should first familiarize yourself with the overall requirements of your State if you live in the U.S.
You will begin by taking a two year Associate Degree at a community college majoring in Mortuary Science. You can consider Worsham College of Mortuary Science near Chicago, IL or Cypress College in Cypress, CA. I left a link below for the National Funeral Directors Association which will be helpful in finding a funeral director program for you. Some people opt for getting a Bachelors Degree in one of the human sciences and then attending a Funeral Directing program.
In this career, you will be interacting with city agencies, hospitals, family of the deceased, vendors such as casket companies, cemeteries, clergy and I would imagine more that I may have not mentioned. Building a good rapport with these people is very important in establishing a stellar reputation in your community.
How your day to day work will be depends on several things. It will be based on if you own your own funeral home or work for someone else. Things flow differently in small towns as they would in large cities. You will start out doing everything: directing, arrangements, business communications and correspondence, embalming, body preparation (includes dressing, hair and makeup) and whatever particular things come about. As you proceed in your career, it may be possible to grow into more of the directing arrangements, paper work and less duties but many do all the duties till the day they retire. It's all going to depend on where you work.
I hope this is a bit of help and I wish you all the best !
THE NATIONAL FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION FOR INFORMATION ABOUT SCHOOLS https://nfda.org/careers/schools-education
I have had relatives and friends that have been and are Funeral Directors so I thought I'd shed some light on what the career is about. Each professional funeral director brings a little something special to the role, so it begins with being outgoing, compassionate, understanding and having a large capacity to do many skills at once. I will discuss some steps to becoming one but you should first familiarize yourself with the overall requirements of your State if you live in the U.S.
You will begin by taking a two year Associate Degree at a community college majoring in Mortuary Science. You can consider Worsham College of Mortuary Science near Chicago, IL or Cypress College in Cypress, CA. I left a link below for the National Funeral Directors Association which will be helpful in finding a funeral director program for you. Some people opt for getting a Bachelors Degree in one of the human sciences and then attending a Funeral Directing program.
In this career, you will be interacting with city agencies, hospitals, family of the deceased, vendors such as casket companies, cemeteries, clergy and I would imagine more that I may have not mentioned. Building a good rapport with these people is very important in establishing a stellar reputation in your community.
How your day to day work will be depends on several things. It will be based on if you own your own funeral home or work for someone else. Things flow differently in small towns as they would in large cities. You will start out doing everything: directing, arrangements, business communications and correspondence, embalming, body preparation (includes dressing, hair and makeup) and whatever particular things come about. As you proceed in your career, it may be possible to grow into more of the directing arrangements, paper work and less duties but many do all the duties till the day they retire. It's all going to depend on where you work.
I hope this is a bit of help and I wish you all the best !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6230
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Benni!
Career Overview of a Mortician
A career as a mortician, also known as a funeral director or embalmer, is both unique and rewarding. It involves various responsibilities centered around the care of deceased individuals and supporting their families during difficult times. Here’s a comprehensive look at what this career entails.
Educational Requirements
To become a mortician, you typically need to complete several educational steps:
High School Diploma or GED: This is the foundational requirement.
Associate’s Degree in Mortuary Science: Most states require aspiring morticians to earn an associate’s degree from an accredited mortuary science program. These programs cover subjects such as embalming, restorative art, grief counseling, and business management.
Internship/Apprenticeship: After completing your degree, you will usually need to undergo an internship or apprenticeship under the supervision of a licensed funeral director. This hands-on experience is crucial for developing practical skills.
Licensing: Most states require morticians to be licensed. This typically involves passing both written and practical exams that assess your knowledge and skills in the field.
Daily Responsibilities
The daily tasks of a mortician can vary widely but generally include:
Preparing the Deceased: This includes embalming (preserving the body), dressing, and cosmetology to make the deceased presentable for viewing.
Arranging Funerals: Morticians work closely with families to plan funerals that honor their loved ones’ wishes. This includes selecting caskets, coordinating transportation, and organizing memorial services.
Providing Grief Support: A significant part of being a mortician involves offering emotional support to grieving families. This may include helping them navigate their feelings and providing resources for grief counseling.
Administrative Duties: Morticians often handle paperwork related to death certificates, burial permits, insurance claims, and other legal documents required after someone passes away.
Work Environment
Morticians typically work in funeral homes but may also find employment in hospitals, nursing homes, or even as independent contractors. The work environment can be emotionally charged due to the nature of dealing with death and grieving families.
Hours: The hours can be irregular; many morticians are on call 24/7 since deaths can occur at any time. This means that flexibility is essential.
Physical Demands: The job can be physically demanding as it may involve lifting bodies and preparing them for viewing.
Skills Required
To succeed as a mortician, certain skills are vital:
Empathy and Compassion: Understanding the emotional state of grieving families is crucial.
Attention to Detail: Precision is necessary when preparing bodies and handling legal documents.
Communication Skills: Clear communication with families about their options is essential for providing good service.
Business Acumen: Many funeral homes operate like businesses; thus understanding financial management can be beneficial.
Career Outlook
The demand for funeral services tends to remain stable regardless of economic conditions because death is an inevitable part of life. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for funeral service workers is projected to grow by about 4% from 2021 to 2031.
While it may not be the most conventional career choice due to its association with death, many find it fulfilling because they play an essential role in helping families through one of life’s most challenging moments.
In summary, becoming a mortician requires specific education and training but offers a unique opportunity to make meaningful contributions during sensitive times in people’s lives.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Provides detailed information on job outlooks, salary expectations, and educational requirements for various occupations including funeral service workers.
American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE)
Offers accreditation information on mortuary science programs across the United States along with resources for students pursuing this career path.
National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA)
A leading organization representing funeral directors that provides resources on best practices within the profession as well as ongoing education opportunities for professionals in the field.
God Bless,
JC.
Career Overview of a Mortician
A career as a mortician, also known as a funeral director or embalmer, is both unique and rewarding. It involves various responsibilities centered around the care of deceased individuals and supporting their families during difficult times. Here’s a comprehensive look at what this career entails.
Educational Requirements
To become a mortician, you typically need to complete several educational steps:
High School Diploma or GED: This is the foundational requirement.
Associate’s Degree in Mortuary Science: Most states require aspiring morticians to earn an associate’s degree from an accredited mortuary science program. These programs cover subjects such as embalming, restorative art, grief counseling, and business management.
Internship/Apprenticeship: After completing your degree, you will usually need to undergo an internship or apprenticeship under the supervision of a licensed funeral director. This hands-on experience is crucial for developing practical skills.
Licensing: Most states require morticians to be licensed. This typically involves passing both written and practical exams that assess your knowledge and skills in the field.
Daily Responsibilities
The daily tasks of a mortician can vary widely but generally include:
Preparing the Deceased: This includes embalming (preserving the body), dressing, and cosmetology to make the deceased presentable for viewing.
Arranging Funerals: Morticians work closely with families to plan funerals that honor their loved ones’ wishes. This includes selecting caskets, coordinating transportation, and organizing memorial services.
Providing Grief Support: A significant part of being a mortician involves offering emotional support to grieving families. This may include helping them navigate their feelings and providing resources for grief counseling.
Administrative Duties: Morticians often handle paperwork related to death certificates, burial permits, insurance claims, and other legal documents required after someone passes away.
Work Environment
Morticians typically work in funeral homes but may also find employment in hospitals, nursing homes, or even as independent contractors. The work environment can be emotionally charged due to the nature of dealing with death and grieving families.
Hours: The hours can be irregular; many morticians are on call 24/7 since deaths can occur at any time. This means that flexibility is essential.
Physical Demands: The job can be physically demanding as it may involve lifting bodies and preparing them for viewing.
Skills Required
To succeed as a mortician, certain skills are vital:
Empathy and Compassion: Understanding the emotional state of grieving families is crucial.
Attention to Detail: Precision is necessary when preparing bodies and handling legal documents.
Communication Skills: Clear communication with families about their options is essential for providing good service.
Business Acumen: Many funeral homes operate like businesses; thus understanding financial management can be beneficial.
Career Outlook
The demand for funeral services tends to remain stable regardless of economic conditions because death is an inevitable part of life. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for funeral service workers is projected to grow by about 4% from 2021 to 2031.
While it may not be the most conventional career choice due to its association with death, many find it fulfilling because they play an essential role in helping families through one of life’s most challenging moments.
In summary, becoming a mortician requires specific education and training but offers a unique opportunity to make meaningful contributions during sensitive times in people’s lives.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Provides detailed information on job outlooks, salary expectations, and educational requirements for various occupations including funeral service workers.
American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE)
Offers accreditation information on mortuary science programs across the United States along with resources for students pursuing this career path.
National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA)
A leading organization representing funeral directors that provides resources on best practices within the profession as well as ongoing education opportunities for professionals in the field.
God Bless,
JC.