FUNERAL DIRECTOR/EMBALMER
Individuals in funeral service careers provide advice and counseling, legal documentation, assistance with administrative tasks, and the logistical management of human remains.
Funeral service professionals provide counsel and advice to people prior to death as well as during and after bereavement. They must be sensitive to requirements of law, custom, and the accepted practices of the individuals and communities with whom they work.
HOW DO I BECOME A FUNERAL DIRECTOR/EMBALMER?
In order to qualify for admittance into a Funeral Service Education Program, you must meet the following criteria:
- Posses a high school diploma or equivalent (GED).
- Score on the ACT, SAT or College Placement Test sufficient to be placed in college level courses.
- Obtain cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.0, if previous college courses have been taken.
- Be able to meet physical performance standards for the Funeral Service profession
After completing academic and apprenticeship requirements, prospective funeral service personnel must pass a national and a state exam. Practitioners are required to earn at least eight hours of continuing education credits every two years to maintain licensure.
AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION
Individuals may be licensed as funeral directors, embalmers, or both. Funeral directors deal with funeral service management, burial preparation (except for embalming) and disposition of human bodies. Embalmers disinfect and preserve corpses in their entirety or in part.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Funeral service personnel may be self-employed or employed by funeral businesses, the military, hospitals, educational institutions, and professional associations. Because death can occur at any time, hours may vary.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
More than 22,000 funeral homes in the United States provide opportunities for funeral service personnel at varying levels. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, individuals with additional course work in communications and business are in demand in funeral home management. The demand for funeral services will rise as the population continues to grow.
PROFESSIONAL INFORMATION SOURCES:
American Board of Funeral Service Education
Brunswick, ME 04011
P.O. Box 1305
(207) 798-5801
www.abfse.org