How to Become a Mortician
Ads by Google
Commonly known as funeral directors or undertakers, this might be one of the most unusual career choices for someone. And, not every place in the world would find such a job decent enough to recommend to someone. Regardless, these undertakers are there in every country and take care of the last rites of a person. Or, simply help cremate and bury the deceased.
However, here we want to talk about this as a professional well-paid career as a mortician, and ten things you can do to follow this.
- Why do You Want?
As I said, this is an unusual job to be interested in. Though mortuary science has been there from forever, taking the job of an undertaker is not that easy to come by. You do not have enough motivation around you, in media, in movies or anywhere else.
- Why should you become a funeral director? You need to ask yourself this question first.
- They help the family of deceased complete the last rites of the deceased, planning the various aspects of a funeral.
- This planning may be elaborate or simply a cremation varies from place to place.
- Know the Qualifications You Need
As mentioned, in some places an undertaker does not need any qualification because his job is simply to help cremate the body. But, in some places, it also involves beautification of the body, embalming and much more.
- Some employers prefer an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree to start.
- You need to know which field of study will find your place in the right spot.
- The degree is known as mortuary science, and this may not be that common everywhere.
- In the US, a median salary of $43k was recorded in the last five years.
- Know about Your Practice
Before you get to practice, you need to have an appropriate license for the same. This is treated as a fair profession in many countries and therefore is passed under scrutiny and licensing just like a driver’s license or spa license.
- For embalmers, funeral directors and undertakers in established official business, a license is mandatory.
- They usually have to pass through 1 to 3 years of apprenticeship before working solely.
- The skills required in this profession are different than other fields, as one may observe.
- Know Your Skills, Develop Them
You have to learn and develop the right skills for the job. It does not demand the usual skills when you see IT jobs, construction jobs or whatever. Here you need to understand your locality, regional culture more.
- Since you are studying it formally, you need to know the regional culture and ethics in funeral service preparation.
- This might differ from one family to another, and that must be taken care of by your company.
- Compassion, interpersonal skills, communication skills are majorly important for this job.
- You can learn more about this from the American Board of Funeral Service Education official Site.
- Finish Your Education First
The first step in proceeding further to become a certified mortician is to complete the required education. Usually, this needs the following.
- In the US, state licensing boards will require morticians to have an associate degree to issue a license.
- Study a mortuary science program that is accredited by the ABFSE board mentioned above.
- States will require you to complete one of the above programs followed by additional years of apprenticeship.
- Some courses that involve this include chemistry, microbiology, anatomy, psychology, embalming, pathology and more.
- Taking up a Good Apprenticeship
Selecting a place to do your apprenticeship program is important; you will get your real-life hands-on experience from these places.
- The ABFSE has mandated that professional morticians fulfill a minimum of three years of apprenticeship.
- This program can be done before, after and even during your formal education. It depends on how much time you have.
- In some states in the US, you never need a license to become an apprenticeship.
- Be sure to check a good supervisor and learn the guidance of a good and experience professional.
- You Need to Maintain Your Licensure
In order to maintain your license and keep it active, many states will require you to keep taking programs, learning things and continuing with educational activities.
- The above step is to ensure to remain abreast with the current laws in the state.
- You can take distance courses to do the same, and even take on-site activities for a short period of time.
- Attending workshops and seminars are also a way to keep this going.
- Obtaining a License
In order to actually be able to work alone or an as a business, you need to have a license as spoken earlier. To do you have to appear for an exam of course.
- For being a professional mortician, most states require you to pass a state licensing examination.
- Your age must be above 21 years and you must have completed an accredited two-year program as degree fulfillment.
- Some states will ask you to appear for a separate examination for getting an embalming license.
- Personal Care and Service Specialist Figures
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics in the US lists some important things to consider before you jump onto this career line.
- You can know about your work environment and your cases that you will have to handle.
- You get to know the play, hours of work, complexity, stress and more.
- They say about 54k jobs were available in the year 2016.
- They have listed the median pay for last year as $58k per year and $27 per hour.
- Unofficial Training and Diploma
If your state does not make it mandatory to carry any degree or college level education to become a funeral director, you can go the unofficial way too.
- Be persistent to find a funeral home that is ready to hire an untrained candidate who will eventually learn from practice.
- Earn your high school diploma or GED and this is relevant for any kind of employment.
- Check local establishments that offer training too, and that may be where you can find a job.
TIPS
- Based on your location, country this might be a promising career or not.
Via formal education, you must have covered the mandatory subjects listed by the state license permit eligibility.
Do morticians get paid well?
Is it hard to become a mortician?
Are morticians in demand?
How long do morticians go to school?
Do morticians remove eyes?
Who puts makeup on deceased bodies?
Are you cremated with clothes on?
Is being a mortician depressing?
You’re also sometimes on call during the middle of the night — not every hospital has a refrigeration system to keep bodies overnight — which can eat into your sleep schedule. It’s emotionally exhausting as well.
Are morticians and embalmers the same?
Do morticians sew mouths shut?
Why do they put gloves on the deceased?
What do they fill deceased bodies with?
Do bodies explode in coffins?
What do funeral homes do with the blood from deceased bodies?
How do they put a deceased body in a casket?
Why do undertakers sew mouths shut?
Do coffins filled with water?
Do bodies sit up during cremation?
Ads by Google