What Does an Embalmer Do?
Find out what an embalmer does, how to get this job, and what it takes to succeed as an embalmer.
Find out what an embalmer does, how to get this job, and what it takes to succeed as an embalmer.
Embalmers are responsible for preparing bodies for burial or cremation following death. This often involves draining blood and other bodily fluids from the body, embalming it with chemicals to prevent decay, and restoring it to a presentable state. Embalmers also commonly assist funeral directors with dressing, casketing, and arranging funerals for their clients.
Embalmers have a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:
Embalmers are typically paid hourly, and their salaries can vary depending on a number of factors. These include the level of experience they have, the size of the company they work for, and the location of the job.
The employment of embalmers is expected to grow slower than average over the next decade.
The need to preserve and restore bodies will continue, but the increasing popularity of cremation may limit employment growth for embalmers. As people consider cremation an acceptable alternative to burial, fewer people will require embalming.
Related: Embalmer Interview Questions and Answers
To become an embalmer, you will likely need to have the following:
Education: Embalmers need an associate or a bachelor’s degree to work in this field. They can earn their degree in mortuary science, anatomy, biology or another related field. Courses in these programs include anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry and pathology.
Training & Experience: Most embalmers receive on-the-job training from an experienced embalmer or embalming assistant. This training helps the new employee learn the specific techniques and procedures required for the job.
Certifications & Licenses: Embalmers need to obtain a license to operate in their state or district. The requirements vary depending on the state, but most require students to complete a basic embalming course or training before they can apply.
Embalmers need the following skills in order to be successful:
Communication: Embalmers communicate with families, funeral directors and other members of the funeral industry. They also communicate with the deceased’s family members and loved ones to explain the process and answer any questions they may have. Effective communication skills can help embalmers communicate effectively with others.
Attention to detail: Embalmers need to have attention to detail to ensure they complete all the necessary tasks for each procedure. They need to ensure they properly sanitize and disinfect the body, fill the body with the correct amount of fluid and place the organs back in the correct position. Attention to detail is also important when embalmers are preparing the body for viewing. They need to make sure the body is dressed properly and the body is positioned correctly.
Empathy: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Embalmers use empathy to comfort families during the grieving process. They also use empathy to help families understand the importance of the embalming process and the role it plays in the funeral service.
Physical stamina: Embalming is a physically demanding job that requires a great deal of stamina. You may be on your feet for long periods of time and lifting and moving heavy equipment and caskets. You may also be required to stand for long periods of time while working on a body.
Professionalism: Embalmers should be professional in their interactions with families and other funeral staff. They should be respectful and courteous to families and other professionals, and they should follow all laws and regulations regarding the handling of human remains.
Embalmers work in funeral homes, where they prepare the bodies of the deceased for burial or cremation. They work with families of the deceased to plan the funeral service and select the type of casket, burial clothing, and other funeral products. Embalmers also work with funeral directors to coordinate the funeral service. They may be required to work evenings and weekends to accommodate the schedules of grieving families. The work of an embalmer can be emotionally demanding, as it requires dealing with the death of others on a daily basis.
Here are three trends influencing how embalmers work. Embalmers will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.
The Demise of the Funeral Home
The funeral home industry is in a state of flux, as more and more people are choosing to have their loved ones cremated rather than buried. This trend is causing a decline in the number of funeral homes that are needed, which means that embalmers will need to find new ways to stay competitive.
One way to do this is by becoming more involved in the grieving process. Embalmers can do this by providing services that help families deal with their loss, such as counseling or helping them to create a memorial for their loved one. In addition, embalmers can also focus on developing new products and services that meet the needs of today’s consumers.
A Shift From Traditional Funerals
The traditional funeral is slowly being replaced by more modern alternatives, such as cremation and burials without a casket. This shift is having a major impact on the embalming industry, as fewer people are choosing to have their loved ones preserved.
As a result, embalmers will need to learn how to prepare bodies for cremation or burial without using formalin or other chemicals. They will also need to be able to provide support to families who are choosing alternative funeral arrangements.
An embalmer career path can be rewarding and fulfilling. It offers the opportunity to help people in their time of need, as well as a chance to learn about the science of anatomy and pathology. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to work with families during a difficult time in their lives.
Embalmers must have a strong understanding of anatomy and pathology, so they should take advantage of any opportunities to further their education in these areas. They should also stay up-to-date on the latest trends in funeral service and embalming techniques.
Most embalmers start out as apprentices, working under the supervision of a licensed embalmer. As they gain experience, they are given more responsibility and eventually may be promoted to manager or supervisor of the funeral home’s embalming department.
With additional training, embalmers may become funeral directors. Some embalmers open their own businesses.
At [CompanyX], we provide professional and compassionate care to families during their time of need. We are currently seeking an experienced embalmer to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 2 years of experience in the embalming field, a valid embalming license, and a strong attention to detail. He or she will be responsible for embalming bodies, dressing and preparing them for funerals, and ensuring that all work is done in a timely and professional manner.
Duties & Responsibilities
Required Skills and Qualifications
Preferred Skills and Qualifications