What is a Mortician?A Mortician (also known as a Funeral Director, Undertaker, or Embalmer) is a licensed professional responsible for the technical preparation and care of the deceased, as well as the comprehensive arrangement and direction of funeral, cremation, or burial services. They serve as compassionate guides and coordinators, providing support to bereaved families while managing all legal, logistical, and ceremonial details.
Typical Education
An Associate's degree in Funeral Service or Mortuary Science from an accredited program is typically required, followed by a one-to-three-year supervised internship or apprenticeship and state licensing exams.
Salary Range in the United States
The typical median annual salary for Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers was $54,150 as of May 2019.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Day in the Life
How to Become a Mortician
- Obtain Education: Complete an Associate's degree in Funeral Service or Mortuary Science from an accredited institution. This coursework includes technical training (embalming, restorative art) and academic subjects (ethics, grief counseling, and business law).
- Pass National and State Exams: Pass the National Board Examination (NBE) and any required state-specific licensing exams to demonstrate proficiency in both the "arts" and "sciences" of mortuary practice.
- Complete an Apprenticeship: Fulfill a state-mandated supervised apprenticeship or internship, typically lasting one to three years, under a licensed funeral director to gain essential on-the-job experience.
- Obtain State Licensure: Apply for and receive a state license, which requires meeting age, education, experience, and exam requirements. Dual licensure (director and embalmer) is common.
- Develop Resilience: Cultivate emotional resilience and a strong professional boundary to manage the unique emotional demands of working with grief and human remains regularly.
Essential Skills
- Compassion and Empathy: The profound ability to offer non-judgmental support and sensitive guidance to grieving families during a difficult and stressful time.
- Technical Scientific Skills: Expertise in embalming techniques, restorative art (cosmetology and trauma repair), anatomy, and microbiology to prepare the deceased respectfully and safely.
- Organizational Meticulousness: Essential for flawlessly coordinating complex logistics—scheduling clergy, caskets, transportation, and coordinating facility arrangement—often with very short timelines.
- Discretion and Professionalism: The unwavering commitment to confidentiality and upholding the dignity of the deceased and the family in all interactions and preparations.
- Business Acumen: The capacity to manage the operational aspects of a funeral home, including financial record-keeping, personnel management, and discussing pricing and contracts clearly and ethically with clients.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare the Deceased: Oversee or perform the embalming, dressing, casketing, and cosmetic enhancement of the deceased, ensuring a dignified presentation for viewing or visitation.
- Arrange and Plan Services: Meet with families to arrange all details of the service, including selecting the casket or urn, coordinating religious rites, writing obituaries, and managing overall logistics.
- Manage Legal Documentation: Obtain, complete, and file all necessary legal documents, including death certificates and burial or cremation permits, ensuring compliance with local and state laws.
- Direct Funerals and Services: Coordinate and direct the procession and committal services at the funeral home, church, or graveside, ensuring the ceremony is respectful and runs according to plan.
- Provide Post-Service Support: Offer resources for grief counseling and assist families with administrative matters such as insurance claims and veteran benefits.
Five Common Interview Questions
- "How do you maintain a balance between being empathetic to families and protecting your own emotional well-being?"
- Description: This tests your understanding of the emotional demands of the job and your strategies for managing boundaries and preventing professional burnout.
- "Can you describe your technical process for preparing a deceased individual who has experienced a traumatic event?"
- Description: This assesses your specialized knowledge of restorative art and your ability to apply advanced technical skills under sensitive, complex circumstances.
- "Tell us about a time you handled a situation where multiple family members had significant conflict or disagreement over the final arrangements."
- Description: This evaluates your diplomatic communication skills, neutrality, and ability to mediate complex interpersonal conflicts professionally.
- "How do you ensure every detail—from the obituary to the flower arrangements—is accurate, given the often-tight, unpredictable deadlines?"
- Description: This assesses your organizational system, attention to detail, and ability to manage logistics under time pressure.
- "What is your philosophy regarding the high ethical responsibility of maintaining the dignity and confidentiality of the deceased and their family?"
- Description: This probes your core professional values and commitment to the highest standards of conduct and discretion.
Questions?
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