Morticians or funeral directors, often referred to by the old-fashioned term "undertaker," are professionals providing funeral and embalming services for the dead and their families. Although it's not a career with broad appeal, it's a stable and reliable field. Death is proverbially one of the world's few constants, and a competent funeral director with good interpersonal skills can build a substantial business.
The Basic Skills
Funeral directors must master a varied range of skills to succeed in their chosen profession. Safe handling of the dead and effective embalming practices both require a strong understanding of subjects including microbiology, pathology and the chemistry of embalming procedures. They also have to be strong business people, with a grasp both of conventional business practices and any additional legal duties unique to their industry. They must also understand the social aspects of grief and mourning, including the religious and cultural perceptions of the diverse populations in their local area.
Funeral directors are responsible for transporting the deceased to the funeral home and then preparing the body for burial. Most employ embalmers and cosmetic artists to preserve the body and make it look natural for the service, though many funeral directors have the skills to do this themselves if necessary. Aside from preparation of the body itself, the funeral director organizes any other service requested by the family. This might include a viewing and a formal funeral service at either the funeral home's chapel or at the graveside. The mortician and funeral home staff arrange catering, flowers, seating and other details as needed.
Preparing bodies and arranging memorial services takes up a surprisingly small portion of the funeral director's time. As experts in coping with the practical details of death, funeral directors provide a range of services to the grieving family. This might include contacting the deceased's life insurance company, arranging obituaries, submitting an application for veteran's death benefits, and advising the family on any necessary arrangements regarding bank accounts, utilities and income taxes. Many funeral directors focus strongly on the advance sale of funeral services, which assures clients that their wishes are fully understood and will be carried out in the specified fashion.
Training and Career
Each state has its own regulations governing undertakers and their training. Most specify a two-year associate degree or its equivalent in college-level course work, and a one- or two-year apprenticeship with an experienced funeral director. Each state also has some form of licensing or registration. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected 18 percent employment growth for funeral directors between 2010 and 2020, slightly above the average for all occupations. Longer-term prospects should be good as well, with the continued aging of the large baby boom generation.
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