Responsibilities of a Mortician
Morticians execute every detail of a funeral in accordance with the surviving family members' religious and personal beliefs, allowing the loved ones to grieve and cope with their loss. Because morticians handle all of these details, they’re also referred to as funeral directors. Most of the responsibilities of a mortician are accomplished in a funeral home.
Morticians must obtain at least an associate mortician degree in mortuary science. Areas of study include preparing bodies for burial, counseling family and loved ones, funeral management, and laws and regulations related to death and funeral services. Students also work under the direct supervision of a licensed funeral director for one to three years. After successfully completing education, morticians must obtain a state license to practice professionally. According to Indeed, public speaking skills are valued in this profession and help improve interpersonal skills which are important in this profession.
Mortician Roles and Responsibilities
Morticians are contacted by family or friends of the deceased to retrieve the body from its location, such as a hospital or home. After retrieving the deceased, morticians meet with grieving family members to arrange for the preparation of the body and planning of the funeral. They also submit the appropriate legal documentation to receive death certificates and life insurance policies if they’re needed to help pay for funeral costs. Morticians also make these arrangements for individuals who wish to plan their own funeral services in advance.
Mortician jobs generally require one to be on call 24 hours a day. They respond to calls to retrieve bodies almost immediately, then make funeral arrangements within one to three days after death. A mortician’s work schedule can often be stressful, especially if several deaths occur within a short time frame. Although morticians work long hours, they must be compassionate and manage their time wisely.
Career and Salary
The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment of morticians to decline 4 percent between 2019 and 2029, due to an increased number of individuals who prefer cremation over burial, which requires fewer workers and services. Among an estimated 25,440 employed in 2019, the average mortician salary was $58,360 per year, according to the BLS. About 99 percent of all those employed work for employers that provide death care services, and about 1 percent work for the federal government.