Embalmers

Career summary

#wois 8632 no info brought over. check 3/13/19 lh

When a body arrives at a funeral home, embalmers record the name of the deceased. They make a list of the clothing and valuables that came in with the body.

Embalmers wash the body with soap and dry it. They use a special pump to drain the blood from the body and replace it with embalming fluid. The fluid preserves the body while it is prepared for funeral rites.

Embalmers also work on the deceased's face to make it look natural. For example, they put lenses in the eyes so that they maintain a rounded shape. Embalmers reconstruct some bodies or faces using materials such as:

• Clay
• Cotton
• Plaster of Paris
• Wax

They also apply makeup to cover unnatural skin tones and blemishes. In addition, they style the deceased's hair in order to give a more lifelike appearance to the deceased.

Embalmers dress the body and place it in the casket. In many funeral homes, embalmers are also funeral directors.

Related careers

This career is part of the Human Services cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Funeral Attendants
• Funeral Directors and Managers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to embalmers.

• Dress body and place it in casket.
• Follow health and sanitation laws and maintain equipment.
• Record information, such as name of deceased.
• Wash the body with soap and let air dry.
• Make incisions in the body and drain it of blood and waste matter.
• Fill the body with preserving chemicals using a special pump.
• Close incisions with stitches.
• Create a list of clothing or valuables delivered with the body.
• Insert lens between eyelid and eyeball to prevent sinking or slipping of eyelids.
• Reshape and reconstruct disfigured bodies, using materials such as clay, cotton, plaster of Paris, and wax.
• Apply makeup to the body and face.
• Talk to funeral director or family members about funeral details.
• Assist with funeral arrangements, such as floral placement, guest seating, and pallbearers.
• Attend conferences and seminars to stay current on industry trends.

Common work activities

Embalmers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Make decisions and solve problems
• Handle and move objects
• Assist and care for others
• Get information needed to do the job
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Evaluate information against standards
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Perform for or work with the public
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Control machines and processes
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Think creatively
• Process information
• Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Schedule work and activities
• Analyze data or information

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, embalmers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social interaction. They constantly have face-to-face conversations with the families of the deceased.
• Are greatly responsible for the health and safety of others. They ensure that the deceased are handled according to health and sanitation rules.
• Are responsible for the work outcomes of the people they supervise. This is especially true for embalmers who are also funeral directors.
• Communicate daily by telephone.
• Write letters, memos, and e-mails often.
• Work as part of a team. This is very important at facilities where many people participate in the funeral arrangements.

Physical work conditions

• Almost always work indoors.
• Occasionally work outdoors to transport the body or to accompany the funeral procession.
• Are often exposed to strong chemicals and preservatives.
• Always wear protective gear, such as lab coats, gloves, and face masks, while handling the body.
• Are always exposed to hazardous conditions. They work with sharp tools and chemicals.
• Are exposed to diseases and infections daily.
• Are always exposed to contaminants.
• Are sometimes exposed to very hot or very cold temperatures when attending funerals outside.
• Sometimes work in an enclosed vehicle, such as a hearse.
• Work near other people, but have a few feet of space separating self from others.

Work performance

• Must be exact and accurate in their work so that the deceased are properly cleaned and preserved.
• Repeat the same tasks. This is somewhat important when working with the deceased.
• Meet strict deadlines daily.
• Work in a moderately competitive environment.
• Rarely consult a supervisor before making decisions or setting tasks.
• Make decisions on a daily basis that have a major effect on their company and the families of the deceased.

Hours/travel

• Often work long, irregular hours that amount to a full-time schedule.
• May work on an on-call basis.
• May work evenings and weekends.
• Must meet strict daily and weekly deadlines.

Physical demands

Embalmers frequently:

• Stand for long periods of time.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.

It is important for embalmers to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for embalmers to be able to:

• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.

Skills and abilities

Embalmers need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand written information.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Look for ways to help people.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Perceive and visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Funeral Service and Mortuary Science

Training

To work as an embalmer, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have an associate degree in embalming or mortuary science;
• complete an internship; and
• pass state licensing exams.

Education after high school

Most embalmers have an associate degree in mortuary science from a two-year college. Mortuary science programs usually include courses in anatomy and physiology, embalming techniques, and restorative arts (for cosmetic reconstruction of the deceased). You also study psychology and grief counseling.

Work experience

Working at a mortuary as a funeral attendant is a good way to find out what it is like to work in the funeral business.

On-the-job training

Embalmers must complete an internship with a licensed funeral director or embalmer. An internship usually lasts more than 12 months. On the job, you learn how to:

• handle and wash a body;
• replace blood with embalming fluids;
• reconstruct or reshape body parts; and
• dress a body and put it into a casket.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Cosmetology
• Psychology

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Traditionally, funeral homes have been run as family businesses. At one time, embalmers might have needed a family connection to get hired. Today, the best way for embalmers to get hired is through connections made in mortuary school. Many mortuary schools have close ties with local funeral homes. They can also provide internship placement for students still in school. These internships can lead to permanent jobs.

Though licensing can be done at age 18, employers usually look for embalmers who are 21 years old and have finished at least two years of mortuary school. They also look for at least one year of training with a licensed funeral service worker. Finally, employers look for those who have a state license.

Employers look for embalmers who are calm and professional in their work.

Tips

Students are strongly advised to get their practical training in a funeral home before formal training to determine compatibility with the work.

Costs to workers

Workers may have to purchase appropriate work clothes.

Licensing/certification

Embalmers must be licensed to practice in Washington. The requirements for licensing include:

• being age 18 or older and of good moral character;
• having an associate of arts degree in mortuary science, or completion of an accredited mortuary science course and other college courses equal to 60-semester or 90-quarter hours; or
• completing a two-year (3,600 hours) internship including preparation of at least 25 human remains under an embalmer licensed in Washington;
• passing a written examination in the funeral sciences and an examination in the laws of this state related to the handling, care, moving, and disposition of human remains; and
• completion of five hours of continuing education every year which must include at least one hour of OSHA/WISHA training.

For more information, contact:

Washington State Department of Licensing
Funeral and Cemetery Board 
PO Box 9012
Olympia, WA 98507-9012
360.664.1555

#verified licensing information updated fees 3/9/17 lh. No changes 3/26/18 cj. updatd url 3/13/19 lh

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Embalmers 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary by location, employer, and the embalmer's responsibilities. Embalmers who work in large cities may be paid more than those who work in small towns.

Embalmers who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include paid holidays and vacation, health insurance, and a retirement plan.

Employment and outlook

State Outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Funeral homes

National outlook

Demand for this occupation is expected to decline. Small funeral homes are being bought out by large corporations. In the past, each funeral home had an embalmer. Now, one embalmer may work at several funeral homes that are owned by a single corporation. However, the workload for embalmers is increasing due to an increase in the aging population.

Job openings arise as people retire from this occupation.

Other resources

American Board of Funeral Service Education 
992 Mantua Pike, Suite 108
Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097
816.233.3747

Exploring a Career in Funeral Service 

National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association 
6290 Shannon Parkway
Union City, GA 30291
800.434.0958
770.969.0064

National Funeral Directors Association 
13625 Bishop's Drive
Brookfield, WI 53005
800.228.6332
262.789.1880

Washington State Funeral Directors Association 
9116 E. Sprague Avenue, #809
Spokane Valley, WA 99206
509.608.0710

References

Career cluster

• Human Services

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Embalmers (39-4011.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

DOT occupations

• Embalmer (338.371-014) 
• Embalmer Apprentice (338.371-010) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Realistic/Conventional/Investigative

COPSystem

• Science Skilled