How to Establish Lucrative Careers as a Mortician

How to Establish Lucrative Careers as a Mortician

If you choose to become a mortician, you opt to work among the deceased (as well as the bereaved living) on a daily basis. Of course, that description is really something of an overgeneralization; this career path revolves around far more than just working with the deceased and consoling their grieving families. Some people make this profession the butt of macabre jokes. At the heart of this profession, a mortician works as a business owner, a counselor, a scientist who works with embalming fluids, as well as an administrator. These workers must remained attuned to the personal boundaries and specific needs of their clients. Morticians also possess social and time management skills. Clearly there is far more to this profession than the stereotypes seem to suggest. Today, we will cover the essentials regarding how all of you can establish lucrative careers as a Mortician.
How to Establish Lucrative Careers as a MorticianMorticians typically earn generous recompense because of their education and honed skills. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those working in the funeral service industry earn a median annual wage of $51,600 as of May 2012. That figure far exceeds the national yearly average for all professions in the United States at $34,750. Of course, the Funeral Service Manager serves as the most profitable career track in the business. On average, these Managers earn a median annual salary of $66,720. Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Directors, also earn healthy salaries as well with combined, median yearly salaries of $46,840.

The same government source says that there were quite a lot of lucrative careers in the field back when they first polled the information in May 2012. To be more specific, roughly 32,800 people in the United States work in this field. Most of these professionals (97 percent) worked in the death care service industry. If the mortician salary looks appealing to you, you should know that a career in this field will usually entail work in a funeral home or service home of some sort. So, how do you begin a successful career in this field? Read on to find out more.

What is a Mortician?

A Mortician is a professional worker who assists the family of a deceased person in making final arrangements. Not only do these professionals organize the cremation or interment, but they also coordinate the event and carry out the embalming and/or restoration procedures. Most morticians work in a funeral home. These funeral homes often come equipped with merchandise storage rooms where the relatives of the deceased may select the necessary accoutrements for the event. Some homes also include a chapel. With other burial services, the chapel may be located on the premises of a cemetery.

Our society often views the job of a mortician as somber and gloomy. Since the profession also includes elements of event management, it is often stressful and carries a certain degree of high pressure. Funerals often take place within 24 to 72 hours of a person’s death. Additionally, morticians may have to work on several funerals throughout a single day’s time. They also tend to work long hours. Deaths occur round the clock so morticians often work long into the evening or weekends. Some morticians remain on call even at night or during holiday periods.

How to Become a Mortician

No matter which job you end up choosing in the funeral service industry (Undertaker, Funeral Manager, or Mortician), you will still have to meet certain requirements. The first is that you attend and graduate from a degree program in Mortuary Science at an accredited Mortician School. During your time attending, you will typically learn how to counsel grieving clients, the basics of the funeral service industry, business law, ethics, as well as embalming and restoration. Then, once you actually begin a career, your requirements will vary based on the state you live in. Licensing laws vary from one state to the next. Usually, you must be at least 21 years of age to apply for a job with a funeral home; aside from your years in school, you must complete a one-year apprenticeship during your time in college. The position also requires that you pass the licensing exam organized by the state once you’ve graduated.

Training can last up to three years. Although an associate’s degree is usually enough, some employers prefer their employees hold a bachelor’s degree. If you plan to work in several states, you’ll most likely need to obtain separate state licenses. In most states, you must attend ongoing adult education courses to maintain your right to practice. If you plan to one day become a Funeral Service Manager, you will also need relevant experience as an office manager. Funeral Managers can attain this experience from the retail field.

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