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Funeral Directors

(D.O.T.  187.167-030)

Nature of the Work

Since the earliest of times, most peoples have held funeral
ceremonies.  The dead have ritually been interred in pyramids,
cremated on burning pyres, and sunk beneath the oceans' waves.  Even
today, funeral practices and rites vary greatly among various
cultures and religions.  Among the many diverse groups in the United
States, funeral practices generally share some common elements:
Removal of the remains of the deceased to a mortuary, preparation of
the remains, performance of a ceremony that honors the deceased and
addresses the spiritual needs of the living as well as the dead, and
the burial or destruction of the remains.  To unburden themselves of
arranging and directing these tasks, grieving families turn to
funeral directors.

   Funeral directors are also called morticians or undertakers.
Although this career does not appeal to everyone, the men and women
who work as funeral directors take great pride in the fact that they
provide efficient and appropriate services that give comfort to
their customers.

   Funeral directors interview the family to learn what they desire
with regard to the nature of the funeral the clergy members or other
persons who will officiate, and the final disposition of the
remains; sometimes the deceased leave detailed instructions for
their own funerals.  Directors establish with the family the
location, dates, and times of wakes, memorial services, and burials.
They also send a hearse to carry the body to the funeral home or
mortuary.

   Burial in a casket is the most common method of disposing of remains
in this country, although entombments also occur.  Cremation, which
is the burning of a body in a special furnace, is increasingly
selected.  Even when remains are cremated, the ashes are often
placed in an urn and buried.  Funeral directors usually stock a
selection of caskets and urns for families to purchase.

   Directors arrange the details and handle the logistics of funerals.
They prepare obituary notices and have them placed in newspapers,
arrange for pallbearers and clergy, schedule with the cemetery the
opening and closing of a grave, decorate and prepare the sites of
all services, and provide for the transportation of the remains,
mourners, and flowers between sites.  They also direct preparation
and shipment of remains for out-of-State burial.

   Funeral services may take place in the home, a house of worship, or
the funeral home and at the grave site or crematory.  Services may
be nonreligious, but often they reflect the religion of the family,
so funeral directors must be familiar with the funeral and burial
customs of many faiths, ethnic groups, and fraternal organizations.
For example, members of some religions seldom have the bodies of the
deceased embalmed or cremated.

   Most funeral directors are also trained, licensed, and practicing
embalmers.  In large funeral homes, an embalming staff of one or
more embalmers, plus several apprentices, may be employed.
Embalming is a sanitary, cosmetic, and preservative process through
which the body is prepared for interment.  If more than 24 hours or
so elapses between death and interment, State laws usually require
that remains be embalmed.  The embalmer washes the body with
germicidal soap and replaces the blood with embalming fluid to
preserve the body.  Embalmers may reshape and reconstruct disfigured
or maimed bodies using materials, such as clay, cotton, plaster of
Paris, and wax.  They also may apply cosmetics to provide a natural
appearance, and then dress the body and place it in a casket.
Embalmers may maintain records, such as itemized lists of clothing
or valuables delivered with the body and the name of person
embalmed.

   Funeral directors also handle the paper work involved with the
person's death.  They may help family members apply for veterans'
burial benefits, notify the Social Security Administration of the
death, apply on behalf of survivors for the transfer of any pensions
or annuities, and submit papers to State authorities so that a
formal certificate of death may be issued and copies distributed to
heirs.

   Funeral directors are also responsible for the success and the
profitability of their businesses.  Directors keep records on
expenses, purchases, and services rendered; prepare and send
invoices for services; prepare and submit reports for unemployment
insurance; prepare Federal, State, and local tax forms; and prepare
itemized bills for customers.  Directors also strive to foster a
cooperative spirit and friendly attitude among employees and a
compassionate demeanor toward the families.

   Most funeral homes have a chapel, one or more viewing rooms, a
casket-selection room, and a preparation room.  Equipment may
include a hearse, a flower car, limousines, and sometimes an
ambulance.

   Most funeral directors are also trained, licensed, and practicing
embalmers.

Working Conditions

Funeral directors often work long, irregular hours.  Shift work is
sometimes necessary because funeral home hours include evenings and
weekends.  In smaller funeral homes, working hours vary, but in
larger homes employees generally work 8 hours a day, 5 or 6 days a
week.

   Funeral directors occasionally come into contact with the remains of
persons who had contagious diseases, but the possibility of
infection is remote if strict health regulations are followed.

   To show proper respect and consideration for the families and the
dead, funeral directors must dress appropriately.  The profession
usually requires short, neat hair cuts and trim beards if any, for
men.  Suits, ties, and dresses are customary for a conservative
look.

Employment

Funeral directors held about 27,000 jobs in 1992.  About one-third
were self-employed.  Nearly all worked in the funeral service and
crematory industry, but a few worked for the Federal Government.

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

Funeral directors must be licensed in all but one State, Colorado.
Licensing laws vary from State to State, but most require applicants
to be 21 years old, have a high school diploma, complete some
college training in mortuary science, and serve an apprenticeship.
After passing a State board licensing examination, new funeral
directors may join the staff of a funeral home.  Embalmers are
required to be licensed in all States, and some States issue a
single license for both funeral directors and embalmers.  In States
that have separate licensing and apprenticeship requirements for the
two positions, most people in the field obtain both licenses.
Persons interested in a career as a funeral director should contact
their state board for specific state requirements.

   College programs in mortuary science usually last from 1 to 4 years,
depending on the school.  There were 40 mortuary science programs
accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education in
1992.  One-year mortuary science programs offered by some vocational
schools emphasized basic subjects such as anatomy, physiology,
embalming techniques, and restorative art.  Two-year programs were
offered by a small number of community and junior colleges, and a
few colleges and universities offered both 2- and 4-year programs.
Longer mortuary science programs include courses in business
management, accounting, and use of computers in funeral home
management and client services.  They also included courses in the
social sciences and legal, ethical, and regulatory subjects, such as
psychology, grief counseling, oral and written communication,
funeral service law, business law, and ethics.

   The National Foundation of Funeral Service offers a continuing
education program designed for active practitioners in the field.
It is a 3-week program in communications, counseling, and
management.  Some States have continuing education requirements that
funeral directors must meet before a license can be renewed.

   Apprenticeships must be completed under an experienced and licensed
funeral director or embalmer.  Depending on State regulations,
apprenticeships last from 1 to 2 years and may be served before,
during, or after mortuary school.  They provide practical experience
in all facets of the funeral service from embalming to transporting
remains.

   State board licensing examinations vary, but they usually consist of
written and oral parts and include a demonstration of practical
skills.  Persons who want to work in another State may have to pass
the examination for that State, although many States will grant
licenses to funeral directors from another State without further
examination.

   High school students can start preparing for a career as a funeral
director by taking courses in biology and chemistry and
participating public speaking or debating clubs.  Part-time or
summer jobs in funeral homes consist mostly of maintenance and
clean-up tasks, such as washing and polishing limousines and
hearses, but these tasks can help students become familiar with the
operation of funeral homes.

   Important personal traits for funeral directors are composure, tact,
and the ability to communicate easily with the public.  They also
should have the desire and ability to comfort people in their time
of sorrow.

   Advancement opportunities are best in large funeral homes at which
directors and embalmers may earn promotions to higher paying
positions such as branch manager or general manager.  Some directors
eventually acquire enough money and experience to establish their
own funeral businesses.

Job Outlook

Employment of funeral directors and embalmers is expected to
increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through
the year 2005.  Employment opportunities are expected to be
excellent, because the number of graduates in mortuary science is
likely to continue to be less than the number of job openings in the
field.

   Demand for funeral services will rise as the population grows, and
with it the number of deaths.  The population is projected to become
older because the number of persons age 55 and over is expected to
increase significantly faster than the population as a whole.
Deaths will also increase among members of the younger population
due to AIDS.

   Cremations have been increasing over the years.  This trend may
lessen the demand for embalming somewhat, because in some States,
embalming is not required before cremation.  As a consequence, fewer
services would be needed from funeral directors.

Earnings

Salaries of funeral directors depend on the size of the
establishment and the number of services performed.  A survey
conducted by the National Funeral Directors Association found that
the average salary, including bonus, for funeral directors who were
owner/managers was $59,574 in 1991; mid-level managers averaged
$41,393.  Embalmers had average salaries of $27,421, and apprentices
averaged $17,489.

Related Occupations

The job of a funeral director requires tact, discretion, and
compassion when dealing with grieving people.  Others who need these
qualities include members of the clergy, social workers,
psychologists, psychiatrists, and other health care professionals.

Sources of Additional Information

   Information on a career as a funeral director is available from:

   The National Funeral Directors Association, 11121 West Oklahoma
Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53227.

   National Selected Morticians, 1616 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201.

   For a list of accredited programs in mortuary science and
scholarship information contact:

   The American Board of Funeral Service Education, 14 Crestwood Rd.,
Cumberland, ME 04021.

   For information on continuing funeral service education contact:

   The National Foundation of Funeral Service, 2250 East Devon Ave.,
Suite 250, Des Plaines, IL 60018.