Funeral Directors and Mortuary Science

 

A funeral director, also called a mortician or funeral organizer, is an individual involved in the industry of funeral rituals. This occupation requires many tasks that require interpersonal skills, manual dexterity, and a sense of compassion and dedication to a cause. These jobs can be found in a variety of locations, from small hometown funeral homes to large nationwide firms. These jobs are not for the faint of heart, but there are several options available for those who desire to work in this field.

Some examples of funeral directors in Sydney include voluntary workers who only work on a contract basis to earn a living. Some have training in various aspects of mortuary practices, such as embalming, flower arrangements, cremation, or the handling of death certificates. Others specialize in one or two areas, such as using an open head burial, which is more sanitary than a casket. There are also contract morticians, who work on a contract basis with a deceased person's family, and then hold a final disposition arrangement with the family. These individuals are then trained and licensed by the state to work in this capacity. The family retains ownership of the plot in lieu of an agreed upon amount, and attends any scheduled funeral services.

Most individuals interested in this career have at least some level of funeral directing experience. Many schools, churches, and community colleges offer courses on this subject. There are also private vocational training institutes that conduct graduation and certification programs for funeral directors. Candidates seeking advancement to the next level may be required to pass either a state board examination or an national certification exam. In most cases, this exam is based on the current code of ethics of the United States Conference of Hospice and Palliative Care. Students will demonstrate their understanding of these principles and their ability to train others to do the same.

Some states require that funeral directors and morticians be licensed in order to administer the death care services. Some require specific educational and training requirements, while others do not. Most states require specific training and certification that is annually renewed. Candidates can meet these licensing requirements by taking a state board examination. Students will demonstrate their understanding of basic patient handling and basic anatomy and physiology. They will also learn about ethics, communication, basic law, the legal system, funeral procedures, and business planning.

The tasks of funeral directors and morticians vary depending on the type of establishment they work in. For instance, a chapel or church may have very specific rules on what types of activities are allowed. In these settings, the funeral home employees need to follow local, state, and federal regulations. Other establishments, such as assisted living facilities, are less restrictive and allow for a greater number of creative activities. Funeral homes and morticians are often called upon to conduct memorial services for individuals who have passed away due to natural causes, suicide, and accidents. These activities are referred to as embalming.

While embalming is quite common, there are some instances where it might be against the law. The funeral directors and morticians are trained to perform this procedure, and they must follow all applicable guidelines. Some caskets can't be sealed because of religious reasons. Others may not be appropriate for burial because of their color or shape. Whatever the case, the funeral directors and morticians have a responsibility to make sure the caskets are suitable.

The embalming process isn't an easy task, which takes time and skill. It's not uncommon for morticians and funeral directors to spend several hours in preparation. There are several things to consider in order to complete the job well. This includes preparing all paperwork, doing research on the deceased, creating the medical documentation, working with embalmers, caskets, and insurance paperwork.

Because embalming must be handled in a specific manner, funeral directors and mortuary science can't conduct the operation on their own. This means that they must get in contact with other people involved in the process to arrange for everything that needs to be done. The funeral services director and the mortuary science will sometimes work together in order to get the entire operation running smoothly. They also coordinate the distribution of obituary notices and order of funeral services.