posted September 30th, 2012 by admin
Mortuary science: Can you dig it? A tired pun aside, the population of people over the age of 65 is projected to grow rapidly in coming decades. Practically speaking, an aging population means an increase in the need for funeral professionals.
Many young people entered the mortuary profession right after World War II. These people are now retiring. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, it is expected that between now and 2018, there will be more retirees from the profession than those entering.
Funeral directors take great pride in their ability to provide services to both the deceased and to the grieving. Funeral practices and rites vary among cultures and religions, but usually share some common elements: transporting the deceased, preparing the remains, a ceremony honoring the dead and filling the spiritual needs of the family, and burial or cremation. Funeral directors must be familiar with many faiths and ethnic groups. He or she must be compassionate and yet professionally removed enough to be of strength and service to the grieving. Although the family and their spiritual advisor usually dictate the form, time and location of a funeral or memorial service, the funeral director works closely with these individuals to help with decisions. Funeral directors prepare obituaries, arrange gravesite and facility preparation, and furnish transportation for the deceased and the family. They also must direct preparation and shipment of remains to other states and across national borders. They handle paperwork such as assisting family members with veterans’ burial benefits and Social Security, and are an information and referral resource for dealing with insurance policies, pensions and bequests.
Most funeral directors also are trained and licensed to practice embalming. Most states require that if more than 24 hours pass between death and burial, the remains must be embalmed or refrigerated. In the embalming process, chemicals replace blood to preserve the body. If a body is disfigured such as in an accident, reconstruction and cosmetic restoration using various materials may be required. Cremation is quickly becoming a popular funeral choice because it can be more convenient and less costly, depending on the wishes of the family. A funeral director may have an on-site crematory or will arrange to have the body transferred to such a facility.
A mortician school prepares the funeral director with coursework in pathology and physiology, anatomy as it relates to embalming and restoration, cremation practices, business management, computer information systems, sociology, psychology, legal, ethical and regulatory subjects, grief counseling, communications, funeral and business law. An apprenticeship must also be completed. The apprenticeship may run from one to three years, depending on state regulations. Served under a licensed and experienced funeral director, the apprenticeship may be served before, during, or after mortuary school. State Board examinations, which vary from state to state, must be completed.
The funeral director has a very necessary and important position in the community. A good mortician school is excellent preparation for this challenging and honorable profession.
posted September 25th, 2012 by admin
A funeral director is someone who is responsible for what happens to loved ones after they have passed on. There is a common misconception that the funeral director is simply responsible for making arrangements on the body. However, this is not true because the funeral director does much more than this. A funeral director takes care of all of the different legalities that come along with the death of a loved one. It is important to have someone responsible to take care of these different issues, especially because it is a time in which the family is mourning and could use some assistance. To become a funeral director in the state of Texas, it is important to have participated in the right kinds of programs and to receive the necessary licensing to take on such a position.
For those who would like to become a funeral director in the state of Texas, it could take up to two years of having to work toward a license. However, the time spent earning the licenses will be worth it for those who truly want to pursue such a career. The first step is to enroll in a funeral service program in the Texas area. Before enrolling in the program, it is important to check and makes sure that it is accredited. An Online funeral director schoolis also an option. If the school and the program are accredited, it will be a good idea to enroll as soon as possible for those wanting to pursue such a career as soon as they possibly can. While the individual is attending school, he or she will be able to learn all of the ins and outs of becoming a funeral director and what it will take to keep such a position over the years. During that time, the individual should get involved in as much internships as possible to help further their knowledge and experience in the field of funeral directing. Having participated in internships will look very good on a resume as well.
In the state of Texas, those who want to receive a full license to become a funeral director will need to apply for a provisional license first. Once they receive that license, they will need to work a set amount of hours per week and work on a number of cases while they are being supervised before they can receive their full license. About 60 different cases will need to be supervised before the state of Texas will even think about issuing the full license out to the aspiring individual. The truth is that becoming a funeral director will take time and effort. However, it can be a rewarding career and for those who are truly interested in such a job, the time and effort put into learning the ropes and gaining the experience will be worth it once they have been able to earn their full license and can officially operate as a funeral director in the state of Texas.
posted September 22nd, 2012 by admin
Becoming a funeral director, or mortician, may not make everyone’s top ten list of occupations that they’d like to pursue, but it’s an occupation well worth considering. It’s a rewarding career, not only for the satisfaction of serving people in real need, but also for the generous compensation. Preparing for this occupation is easily accomplished with an online funeral director degree. (more…)
posted September 17th, 2012 by admin
For those looking to embark in an exciting career that is off the beaten path, a degree in mortuary science may be what you are looking for. Earning your degree in mortuary science can arm you with the knowledge and education that is required to become a funeral director. Funeral directing is a profitable and highly desirable career field that offers unlimited opportunity for growth and business potential. While not for everyone, this is an industry that is always necessary, ensuring a high degree of job stability. The Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service in Houston, Texas is a mortuary study program that offers a flexible online degree study program to help you accomplish your goals. (more…)
posted September 15th, 2012 by admin
The economy may rise and fall, but people will always require the services of a funeral home to provide the final rituals of death. Getting into the funeral business can be a steady way of making a living, but it requires specialized knowledge, an empathic personality and dedication to the work.
Aptitudes
Anyone interested in working in the funeral industry should have an accessible and understanding personality that is able to engage with people at the most difficult time of their lives. The candidate must be comfortable working with dead bodies and engaging in the techniques for embalming and preparing the body for presentation. (more…)
posted September 5th, 2012 by admin
Being a mortician is an incredibly important job. Without morticians, funerals as we know them would not be possible. It is through the mortician’s job of embalming that open casket funerals and wakes are possible for the family and friends of the deceased.
Embalming fluids consist of a mixture of different chemicals that are used in order to disinfect, sanitize, and preserve the human body before burial. The chemicals contained in the fluid typically consist of ethanol, methanol, and formaldehyde. According to the 2007 PERC Reports, approximately 20 million liters of the fluid are used within the U.S. each year as a means of preserving human bodies in funeral homes and mortuaries. (more…)
posted September 1st, 2012 by admin
Funeral directors are responsible for controlling the final passages of deceased people. Several schools provide long distance learning programs. Licenses are required in every state for anyone who wants to become a director. There is a reputable, online funeral director school available for everyone interested in this career.
The American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) provides a list of accredited programs made for morticians. Visitors choose their states and find lists of local, reputable schools. Going to an online funeral director school is an option for people who cannot find nearby schools. The same website has a list of distance learning schools. (more…)
posted August 30th, 2012 by admin
As a result of the various emotions displayed during a funeral, most guests do not really think about how the funeral home that is hosting the funeral actually operates as a business. The funeral home business is one that is different than practically all other businesses because of the fact that consumers are putting more of their thoughts into the service than how much money the home is going to make. For this reason, people will find that the funeral industry is one that is expected to continue growing for many years to come, so it would be an excellent career choice. One of the most important jobs at a funeral chapel is embalming, which is done to preserve the deceased body. People who are considering a career as an embalmer will need to attend an embalming school. (more…)
posted August 27th, 2012 by admin
Funeral directors (also often known as morticians) work in a service related industry that requires superb customer service while helping families to cope with one of life’s most difficult experiences. Funeral directors arrange for the custody, care and final disposition of a decedent. The funeral director assists families with memorable services that will distinctly honor the decedent’s life. The duties of the funeral director are varied – from arranging chapel or church rituals and coordinating officiating clergy, to securing certified copies of the death record, placing newspaper notices, ordering caskets, flowers and musicians. Funeral directors are also often dual licensed to embalm. State regulations vary regarding licensing requirements for both the funeral director and embalmer. (more…)
posted August 18th, 2012 by admin
Morticians, undertakers and funeral directors are the titles given for the same basic job – attending to the bereaved and the dead. This very necessary job also requires a large skill set, including scientific skill, medical skill, ability to work with people, and great attention to detail. The actual educational requirements often vary from state to state, and some may only require an Associate’s degree, while others require a Bachelor’s degree for an embalming license. Those who have an interest in going to mortician’s school will need to take a closer look at what they can possibly expect. (more…)
