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.
The Duties of a Funeral Director
The job of funeral directors is mostly one of solemn responsibility. They handle numerous details during a time of great grief and confusion for the surviving family members. They are responsible for preparing the remains of the deceased, and preparing necessary government paperwork, including procurement of a death certificate, and notifying the Social Security Administration of the death.
The funeral director counsels and guides the family members through the myriad decisions required regarding the funeral, obituary notices, preparation of the body and its final disposition, such as cremation, burial, or entombment. There must be arrangements made for the funeral itself, including site selection for the services and wake, the decorations, flowers, clergy, and transportation for family and mourners. Knowledge of the culture, customs, and religion of the family is essential.
Though the work environment is typically quiet and serene, the work can become stressful since most States mandate that the funeral be completed within 3 days or less and the director may be handling more than one funeral at a time.
Education Requirements of Funeral Directors
The minimum education requirement for a funeral director is a 2-year associate’s degree in mortuary science. This step can be acquired via an online funeral director degree program. Additionally, funeral directors are licensed by the State in which they work. Necessary courses include grief counseling, public speaking, and ethics. Since funeral directors often run their own business, courses in business law are needed, too.
An apprenticeship program of one to three years with a licensed funeral director ensures the graduate is exceptionally qualified before licensing. High school students who gain experience from paid or volunteer positions at a local mortuary will be a step ahead.
Is Being a Funeral Director Right for You?
The deceased’s family is experiencing strong emotion. Simultaneously, they are navigating a process with which they have little experience. Thus, the funeral director must be a naturally compassionate, patient, and understanding person. A funeral director must possess good management skills in order to navigate the complexity of final arrangements on behalf of the family and still run a profitable business.
Fortunately, this occupation rewards good business skills with above average compensation. The median income for a funeral director is about $55,000 per year, with the top earners approaching $100,000. This level of pay is remarkable considering it can be obtained with a 2-year online funeral director degree.
If you think being a funeral director may be the right fit for you then look into a degree program and seek advice from one or more local funeral directors in your area. You won’t regret it.
