Become An Embalmer

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Working As An Embalmer

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Documenting/Recording Information
Getting Information
Assisting and Caring for Others
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others

Unpleasant/Hazardous Environment
Make Decisions
$170,300
Average Salary

Example Of What An Embalmer does

Direct families with information as needed for funeral services.
Case embalming; including trauma restoration Prepare cases for services including cosmetics.
Coordinate with funeral directors to assess family wishes and ensure that they are fully satisfied.
Post Mortem Surgery and restorative art.
Dress and cosmetize the deceased.
respond in a time-sensitive manner to embalm as needed instructs students and new hires in mortuary science program
Responded to customer inquiries and provided customer service
Performed a variety of services, as needed, that included facial reconstruction, cosmetology, dressing and casketing of remains.
Monitor and maintain multiple prep areas and equipment for cleanliness and functionality.
Collect bodies prep bodies wash clean fully Embalmer Dress make upHave reconstructed Embalmed all deaths including full post mortems
Assisted with carrying out clerical and record keeping tasks such as death certificates and other reports.

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How To Become An Embalmer

Physicians and surgeons have demanding education and training requirements. Almost all physicians complete at least 4 years of undergraduate school, 4 years of medical school, and, depending on their specialty, 3 to 7 years in internship and residency programs.

Education

Most applicants to medical school have at least a bachelor's degree, and many have advanced degrees. Although no specific major is required, all students must complete undergraduate work in biology, chemistry, physics, math, and English. Students also take courses in the humanities and social sciences. In addition, some students volunteer at local hospitals or clinics to gain experience in a healthcare setting.

Medical schools are highly competitive. Most applicants must submit transcripts, scores from the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and letters of recommendation. Schools also consider an applicant’s personality, leadership qualities, and participation in extracurricular activities. Most schools require applicants to interview with members of the admissions committee.

A few medical schools offer combined undergraduate and medical school programs that last 6 or 7 years.

Students spend most of the first 2 years of medical school in laboratories and classrooms, taking courses such as anatomy, biochemistry, pharmacology, psychology, medical ethics, and the laws governing medicine. They also gain practical skills, learning to take medical histories, examine patients, and diagnose illnesses.

During their last 2 years, medical students work with patients under the supervision of experienced physicians in hospitals and clinics. Through rotations in internal medicine, family practice, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and surgery, they gain experience in diagnosing and treating illnesses in a variety of areas.

Important Qualities

Communication skills. Physicians and surgeons need to be excellent communicators. They must be able to communicate effectively with their patients and other healthcare support staff.

Compassion. Physicians and surgeons deal with patients who are sick or injured and may be in extreme pain or distress. Physicians and surgeons must be able to treat patients and their families with compassion and understanding.

Detail oriented. Physicians and surgeons must ensure that patients are receiving appropriate treatment and medications. They must also monitor and record various pieces of information related to patient care.

Dexterity. Physicians and surgeons must be good at working with their hands. They may work with very precise and sometimes sharp tools, and mistakes can have serious consequences.

Leadership skills. Physicians who work in their own practice need to be effective leaders. They must be able to manage a staff of other professionals to run their practice.

Organizational skills. Some physicians own their own practice. Strong organizational skills, including good recordkeeping, are critical in both medical and business settings.

Patience. Physicians and surgeons may work for long periods with patients who need special attention. Persons who fear medical treatment may require more patience.

Physical stamina. Physicians and surgeons should be comfortable performing physical tasks, such as lifting or turning disabled patients. Surgeons may spend a great deal of time bending over patients during surgery.

Problem-solving skills. Physicians and surgeons need to evaluate patients’ symptoms and administer the appropriate treatments. They need to do this quickly if a patient’s life is threatened.

Training

After medical school, almost all graduates enter a residency program in their specialty of interest. A residency usually takes place in a hospital and varies in duration, generally lasting from 3 to 7 years, depending on the specialty.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

All states require physicians and surgeons to be licensed; requirements vary by state. To qualify for a license, candidates must graduate from an accredited medical school and complete residency training in their specialty.

All physicians and surgeons also must pass a standardized national licensure exam. M.D.s take the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). D.O.s take the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA). For specific state information about licensing, contact your state’s medical board.

Certification is not required for physicians and surgeons; however, it may increase their employment opportunities. M.D.s and D.O.s seeking board certification in a specialty may spend up to 7 years in residency training; the length of time varies with the specialty. To become board certified, candidates must complete a residency program and pass a specialty certification exam from the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), or the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS).

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Embalmer jobs

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Embalmer Typical Career Paths

Average Length of Employment

Funeral Director/Embalmer/Owner 12.4 years
Chief Embalmer 5.4 years
Funeral Home Director 4.0 years
Embalmer 4.0 years
Licensed Embalmer 3.8 years
Crematory Operator 3.5 years
Apprentice Embalmer 2.1 years

Top Careers Before Embalmer

Top Careers After Embalmer

Embalmer Demographics

Gender

Male
55.3%
Female
40.9%
Unknown
3.8%

Ethnicity

White
78.3%
Hispanic or Latino
14.5%
Asian
5.6%
Unknown
1.2%
Black or African American
0.4%

Languages Spoken

Spanish
100.0%

Embalmer

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

Embalmer Education

Schools

Dallas Institute of Funeral Service
15.0%
Cypress College
12.5%
Mid-America College of Funeral Service
10.0%
University of Central Oklahoma
7.5%
American River College
7.5%
Saint Louis Community College
5.0%
Mt. Hood Community College
5.0%
Miami Dade College
5.0%
Kaplan University
5.0%
Indiana Institute of Technology
2.5%
Amarillo College
2.5%
Bevill State Community College
2.5%
Saint Petersburg College
2.5%
University of North Texas
2.5%
Indiana State University
2.5%
Pima Community College
2.5%
Ponce Paramedical College Inc
2.5%
Worsham College
2.5%
Carl Sandburg College
2.5%
Garnet Career Center
2.5%

Majors

Mortuary Science 48.7%
Business 7.9%
Nursing 6.6%
Psychology 3.9%
General Studies 3.9%
Criminal Justice 3.9%
School Counseling 2.6%
Fire Science And Protection 2.6%
Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology 2.6%
Special Education 2.6%
Education 2.6%
Management 1.3%
Electrical Engineering Technology 1.3%
Educational Technology 1.3%
Culinary Arts 1.3%
Political Science 1.3%
Photography 1.3%
Cosmetology 1.3%
Anthropology 1.3%
Medical Assisting Services 1.3%

Degrees

Associate
38.9%
Other
24.4%
Bachelors
16.7%
Masters
6.7%
Diploma
5.6%
Certificate
4.4%
Doctorate
2.2%
License
1.1%

Embalmer

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Top Skills for An Embalmer

Top Embalmer Skills

Funeral Services
Trauma Restoration
Client Funeral Homes

You can check out examples of real life uses of top skills on resumes here:

Assist in funeral services; driving the flower van, limousine, and hearse.
Case embalming; including trauma restoration Prepare cases for services including cosmetics.
Specialized in restorative art cases with severe trauma.
Complete embalming and company required reports, cosmetize, transport deceased.
Assisted with carrying out clerical and record keeping tasks such as death certificates and other reports.