What is a mortician?
A mortician is someone who works with the deceased and their families to arrange funerals and prepare bodies for burial or cremation. They make sure that their final wishes are respected and that the process respects the dignity of the deceased. Morticians do more than just handle the practical tasks; they also provide comfort and guidance to grieving families, ensuring they feel supported during this tough time.
Duties and responsibilities
Morticians handle several important tasks:
- Embalming: This is the process of preserving the body, which makes it possible for families to have more time for viewings and services.
- Funeral arrangements: They plan the details of the funeral based on what the family wants, including the service type, location, and any special customs.
- Paperwork and logistics: Morticians take care of necessary paperwork like death certificates and manage the details of transporting the body and setting up for services.
- Support for families: They might also provide or direct families to grief counseling and support resources.
Work environment
Morticians work in various settings like funeral homes, crematories, and morgues. They spend a lot of time indoors, particularly in areas where they prepare bodies or meet with families. They use chemicals for embalming, so they need to follow strict safety rules.
Typical work hours
Morticians often have to work at odd hours since deaths can occur at any time and families might need services beyond the typical 9-to-5. They might also be on call on nights, weekends, and holidays. Their work schedule can be unpredictable and sometimes requires long hours, especially if they are handling multiple cases or working in smaller establishments.
How to become a mortician
Becoming a mortician involves a mix of formal education, hands-on training, and certification. Here’s how you can start this unique and meaningful career:
Step 1: Go to college
Most morticians start with a college degree in mortuary science. Check your state’s requirements to decide if you need an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree. If you’re unsure where you’ll work, a bachelor’s degree is a safe bet because it meets the requirements for more locations.
Step 2: Learn the state requirements
Every state has different rules for becoming a licensed mortician. Use resources like the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) website to learn about the education, apprenticeship, and exams needed in your state.
Step 3: Earn certifications and take courses
Enhance your resume and skills with specific courses and certificates:
- Funeral Service National Board Exam Tutor (Udemy): This course prepares you for your board exams and keeps important knowledge fresh.
- Certified Preplanning Consultant (NFDA): Gain expertise in funeral planning and funding, which is crucial for helping people arrange their future needs.
- Cremation Certification Program: Essential for anyone running or planning to run a crematory, offering in-depth operational knowledge.
Step 4: Complete an apprenticeship
Most states require you to apprentice with a licensed funeral director. This experience is usually paid and is critical for gaining practical skills in all aspects of the job, from embalming to arranging services.
Step 5: Pass licensing exams
You’ll need to pass a state-administered exam to practice as a mortician. These exams typically consist of multiple-choice questions. Practicing with sample tests can help you prepare effectively.
Step 6: Start your job hunt
Look for job openings on platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, or directly on state board websites. Networking during your education and apprenticeship phases is also a powerful way to find opportunities.
Step 7: Keep your license updated
Stay compliant by renewing your mortician license every one to two years, depending on state regulations. Continuing education is often required for recertification.
How much do morticians make?
There are many variables that go into determining how much a mortician makes, from company size to experience to education, just to name a few.
Highest paying states
- Delaware: $79,870
- Minnesota: $77,460
- New Hampshire: $73,920
- New York: $71,030
- Massachusetts: $70,670
The average national salary for a Mortician is:
$68,450
Top skills for morticians
Becoming a successful mortician requires a unique set of skills, ranging from technical knowledge to empathy. Here’s what you need to excel in this profession:
Technical proficiency in mortuary science
They need deep knowledge of mortuary science, including how to embalm bodies, use restorative techniques, and handle cremation. Being skilled in these areas ensures that the deceased are prepared properly for viewings and burials while respecting health regulations and the wishes of their families.
Empathy and compassion
Dealing with grieving families is a big part of their job. It’s crucial to have the ability to empathize with their pain and provide comfort. This not only helps families during tough times but also builds trust and facilitates a healing process.
Business management
Many morticians run the business side of funeral services as well. This involves managing finances, handling paperwork like death certificates, and ensuring compliance with laws. Good business skills make sure the funeral home operates smoothly and maintains high service standards.
Communication skills
Clear and sensitive communication is key. They must be able to talk about funeral options and arrangements clearly and answer any questions the family might have. Listening is just as important, as it helps them understand and meet the family’s needs.
Attention to detail
Meticulous attention to detail is critical. Whether it’s getting the deceased’s appearance just right or organizing the logistics of the funeral, every detail counts. Precise care in these areas helps honor the deceased’s memory and meets the family’s expectations.
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Mortician career path
The journey to becoming a mortician is structured and requires dedication. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to advance in this unique field:
Starting out
Once licensed, you can start working as a funeral director or mortician. This role involves coordinating funeral services, preparing the deceased, and supporting grieving families. It’s a role that requires both organizational and interpersonal skills.
Advance to senior positions
With experience, they can move into more senior roles such as funeral home manager or owner. These positions involve greater responsibilities like managing business operations, marketing, and staff oversight. Experience in the field is crucial for these roles, as they require a deep understanding of both the business and emotional aspects of funeral services.
Specialization and entrepreneurship
Further down the line, morticians can specialize in areas like grief counseling or advanced embalming techniques, or even transition into related fields such as forensic pathology assistance. For those interested in entrepreneurship, owning a funeral home is a significant opportunity, achievable through either starting your own business or purchasing an existing one.
Educational roles
Some seasoned pros may choose to teach the next generation by getting involved in mortuary science education, contributing their knowledge and experience to academic programs.
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Position trends and outlook for morticians
The role of morticians is seeing some significant changes due to societal shifts, with two main factors influencing the future of this profession:
- Pre-planning by baby boomers: As more baby boomers make their funeral arrangements in advance, funeral homes can better plan and manage their services. This trend toward pre-planning helps ensure that individuals’ final wishes are respected and allows funeral service providers to schedule and manage resources more effectively.
- Increase in cremations: There’s a growing preference for cremation over traditional burial services, which generally require less preparation and labor. This shift could change the typical job duties of morticians, possibly reducing the demand for some of the traditional skills associated with body preparation but increasing the need for services tailored to cremation and memorial services.
Employment projections
The job market for morticians, funeral directors, and similar roles is expected to grow by about 3% through 2032. While this growth rate is modest, it reflects the stable demand for funeral services. This role is often considered recession-proof because the need for funeral services does not diminish even during economic downturns.
Mortician career tips
Soft skills and traits
Morticians need to be empathetic and comforting to others. Those are the most important soft skills. Develop strong self-care routines to maintain a good balance to offset the grief and tragedy you face daily.
Avoid flashy outfits and jewelry and be extremely self-aware. The impression you give off at your interview for this role is even more important than other jobs because a low-key demeanor is necessary for this role. Be open to relocating if necessary. Each community needs a funeral home, so there may be less competition in another city or town.
Commonly required skills and qualifications
Familiarize yourself with multiple religions, traditions, and customs. If you can provide various services, you’ll be more helpful to a potential employer. Take a grief and bereavement counseling course to give you the basic skills to assist grieving families and loved ones. Become an expert in “green funeral services.” 56% of people expressed interest in more environmentally and cost-effective funerals, according to the NFDA.
Develop a professional network
Join one or more of the professional networks available for people in the funeral business. Here are a few national options:
- Cremation Association of North America (CANA)
- National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA)
- Association for Death Education and Counseling
- Funeral Ethics Organization
- Jewish Funeral Directors of America
Where the mortician jobs are
Top states
- Indiana
- Oregon
- Arizona
- Pennsylvania
- Alabama
Top job sites
- Indeed
- ZipRecruiter
- Careerbuilder
- Monster
FAQs
Do morticians have to go to medical school?
Morticians and funeral directors can get their education at many universities and colleges; it does not require attending medical school.
How long does it take to become a mortician?
Each state has different requirements for licensed funeral directors. An associate degree program is required in some places, which averages about two years. Other states require a bachelor’s degree. An internship of one to three years is required as well before becoming certified.
How can I work in a morgue?
There are several jobs available in the morgue. Morticians and funeral directors require schooling and specific licensing. If you want some experience before going through schooling, you can work as an assistant.
Are morticians and embalmers the same thing?
Morticians are typically trained in embalming. Some funeral homes have two separate positions where the embalmer prepares bodies, and the mortician is someone who works with the families and helps to plan the funerals and the entire burial process.
Do morticians get days off?
Each funeral home will have its own schedule, but at least one person needs to be on call. Funeral services need to be organized quickly, so it’s important that they are available to help families within 24 hours sometimes. Vacations and days away are possible for everyone as long as there is someone who can act as backup.
What are the daily duties of a mortician?
Morticians spend their days planning all the details of a funeral, embalming, filing paperwork, and working closely with the families of the deceased. It involves working with cemeteries, pallbearers, cremation services, and relatives.
What’s the difference between a funeral director and a mortician?
Funeral directors and morticians can be interchangeable titles. In smaller places, the same person handles all the duties, but in larger funeral homes, a funeral director might handle the business side, and the mortician is the person who handles the embalming and preparing of the body.
Do morticians need to be religious?
Morticians don’t necessarily need to be religious themselves, but they need to be open to different religions. Some funeral homes are affiliated with certain religions, and others are open to all. It’s important to keep an open mind and be accepting of everyone.
Are autopsies done by morticians?
In most cases, morticians do not do autopsies. In some areas, there may not be a coroner’s office, which may happen at the funeral home. The person who performs the autopsy depends on who requests it.
What skills does a mortician need?
Morticians need to have an acute awareness of people’s feelings and an understanding of reactions. The desire to help others is the most important. It’s also important to be organized and knowledgeable about laws and regulations related to the funeral industry.
How do people become morticians?
To become a mortician, the first step is to determine your state requirements for licenses and education. Knowing that you can take steps to complete required coursework. An apprenticeship and license exam are the next steps in most places, and you can apply for open positions.