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Morticians, who are also known as funeral directors or undertakers, do not have easy jobs. The hours are long and stressful, and it is not uncommon to receive a call in the middle of the night requesting your services. The job can also be very rewarding, however, and should you choose to pursue it you may take comfort in the fact that you are helping people in a time of great need. If this is a job that you believe you are suited for, read on to learn more about becoming a mortician.
Are you the type of person people seek out when they need support? Someone who is easy to talk to and always there to lend a shoulder to cry on or an ear for listening? Do you find yourself taking charge during a traumatic situation, setting aside your own emotions while remaining strong for those around you? Finally, are you able to handle all aspects of death, both physical and emotional, without allowing it to affect your ability to lead an otherwise healthy and happy life?
If you answered yes to these questions, then a career as a mortician may be right for you. This guide will get you on your way towards a career helping families cope with the loss of a loved one.
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Step 1: Start Preparing Early
Hearse used to transport the bodies Photo by Allison Hughes- Preparing early is essential for those interested in becoming a mortician. This is mainly because the job is sensitive in nature, dealing with both the physical and emotional aspects of death. By learning and preparing early, prospective morticians can determine if they have made the proper career choice. Here are some suggestions:
- Educate yourself by taking some of the following classes in high school: chemistry, public speaking, biology, etc.
- Work part-time at a funeral home so you will have hands-on experience. Learn all you can from those around you by asking questions and through observation.
- Observe an embalming. This is a great opportunity to see how well you can handle the physical aspects of death, and it is a great learning experience as well.
- Assist in dressing or moving the body into a casket for viewing.
- Participate in removals. A removal takes place when funeral home employees pick up the deceased body and transport it back to the funeral home.
- Assist at a funeral. Both removals and funerals will give you a chance to work with the dead and determine whether it's something you could handle on a daily basis.
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Step 2: Obtain a License
- Although every state requires that a mortician obtain a license, each state has a different set of criteria. Decide which state you plan on working in and then contact its board of morticians for the exact requirements. You may also find this information online by searching for the name of the state and then "board of morticians." Generally speaking, most states require the following:
- You must be 21 years old
- You must complete at least two years of college
- You must serve at least one year in an apprenticeship
- You must pass a state examination
Keep in mind that the above is simply a guideline. Some states only require a high school diploma, while others like Ohio, Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota and South Carolina expect you to earn a bachelor's degree, complete a two-year apprenticeship and obtain 18 hours of additional schooling every two years. Classes you might be expected to take include:
- Business
- Law and ethics
- Pathology
- Anatomy
- Embalming techniques
- Social sciences
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Step 3: Become an Apprentice
- An essential part of obtaining a mortician's license involves participating in an apprenticeship. Again, the requirements for this differ from state to state, but apprenticeships usually last from one to three years and involve working alongside a licensed mortician. A mortician's apprentice is expected to gain experience in the following:
- Community involvement
- Helping those who are mourning the loss of their loved ones
- Performing the necessary administrative tasks involved in mortician-related work
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Step 4: Find a Job
- Every day a mortician deals with death and grief, a job not everyone is equipped to handle. This is why there is not a great deal of competition in the field. There will always be a demand for morticians as well, making the position a stable career choice should you choose to pursue it.
- Finding a job, therefore, does not depend on having the most experience or the flashiest resume. As long as you have completed your state's requirements and obtain your license, you are ready to start sending out your resume and filling out applications.
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Conclusion
- It takes a special type of person to become a mortician, someone who is compassionate yet strong, an individual who listens while at the same time can make helpful suggestions and decisions. Morticians must exude patience and remain steadfast and firm in tough situations.
- Simply put, morticians are able to deal with the business of death tactfully while maintaining a sense of empathy, care and support for those who are suffering. Should you choose to pursue this career, you may look forward to a life spent helping to ease the pain of others.
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