While this job field does not appeal to everyone, persons involved in funeral directing take great pride in the fact that they provide efficient and appropriate service to their customers. Probably more than in any other job situation, personal qualities of tact, compassion, and the ability to deal with people under difficult circumstances come into play. A funeral director arranges for the transportation of the deceased to the funeral home, obtains information for the death certificate and obituary notices, and arranges all details of the funeral and burial as decided upon by the family of the deceased. The funeral director must be familiar with the funeral and burial customs of many faiths, ethnic groups, and fraternal organizations. Even after the funeral, the funeral director assists the family in handling Social Security insurance and veteran's claims.
An embalmer prepares the body for viewing and burial. Embalming is a sanitary, cosmetic, and preservative process and is required by law in some areas. The body is washed with germicidal soap, blood is replaced with embalming fluid, cosmetics are applied to provide a natural appearance or to restore disfigured features, and the body is placed in the casket.
In small funeral homes, the duties of funeral director and embalmer may be handled by one person; in large funeral homes, an embalming staff of one or more embalmers plus several apprentices may be employed. Embalmers are also employed by hospitals and morgues.
In most funeral homes, one of the funeral directors is also the owner. The staff may consist of from one to twenty or more funeral directors, embalmers, and apprentices. In some communities it is customary for a prospective embalmer or funeral director to obtain a promise of employment from a local funeral home before starting mortuary training.
Places of employment and working conditions
There is at least one funeral home in every community in the United States, so job opportunities are everywhere.
In smaller funeral homes, working hours may vary, but in larger homes employees work eight hours a day, five or six days a week. Shift work is sometimes necessary since funeral home hours include evenings.
Embalmers occasionally come into contact with contagious diseases but are not likely to become ill because of strict observance of sanitary procedures.
Qualification, education, and training
High school courses in biology, chemistry, and public speaking are helpful, and a part-time or summer job at a funeral home can provide exposure to the profession for anyone considering the field.
There are over 30 mortuary science programs that are accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education. They usually take from nine months to three years to complete. A few colleges also offer four-year programs in mortuary science.
A period of apprenticeship must be completed under the guidance of an experienced funeral director or embalmer. Depending on state regulations, this apprenticeship consists of from one to three years and may be served during or after mortuary school.
All states require embalmers to be licensed, and most states also require funeral directors to be licensed.
State board licensing examinations vary but usually consist of written and oral tests as well as a demonstration of skills. Other state licensing standards usually require the applicant to be 21 years old, have a high school diploma or its equivalent, and a complete a mortuary science program and an apprenticeship.
Some states issue a single license to funeral directors and embalmers. In states that have separate licensing and apprenticeship requirements for the two positions, most people in the field obtain both licenses. Some states will accept the credentials of those licensed by another state without further examination.
Potential and Advancement
Employment opportunities in this field are good through the year 2000 because the number of jobs available is greater than the number of graduates from mortuary science programs.
Advancement opportunities are best in large funeral homes where higher-paying positions exist such as general manager or personnel manager. Directors and embalmers who accumulate enough money and experience often establish their own businesses.
Additional Sources of Information
Information on licensing requirements is available from the appropriate state office of occupational licensing.
- American Board of Funeral Service Education 3414 Ashland Avenue, Suite G St. Joseph, MO 64506
- National Funeral Directors Association 13625 Bishop's Drive Brookfield, WI 53005
