How to Become a Mortician

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Morticians have a great many duties, but their primary job responsibilities are to help families with funeral planning, prepare bodies for burial and cremation, manage legal paperwork and documents, and aid grieving loved ones who are trying to make difficult end-of-life decisions. If you're interested in this fascinating profession, you've come to the right place. We'll walk you through everything you need to know below.

Things You Should Know

  • Generally, you'll need to be 21 years of age to be a mortician.
  • Depending on your state, you'll generally need either an associate's or a bachelor's degree in mortuary science.
  • Licensure requirements vary state by state, but generally, you'll need to pass some sort of state exam and complete an apprenticeship before you can get your license.
Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Obtaining Education and Certification

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  1. This is important regardless of whether your state or province requires you to have post-secondary education to become a mortician. If you weren’t able to complete your high school education or its equivalent, take the GED (general educational development) examination.
    • A GED is a certification that indicates you have secondary school equivalency standing, and there are preparation courses you can take if you think you might need to brush up on some subjects.
  2. There are many different requirements for becoming a mortician, and they vary greatly depending on where you live. In the United States, the National Funeral Directors Association website has all the requisite information available for each state, but in general, the requirements may include:
    • An age minimum, which is usually 21 in the United States and 18 in Canada. [1]
    • Post-secondary education or a diploma program from an accredited school.
    • Certification, which is achieved by passing the necessary state or provincial exams.
    • The completion of an apprenticeship.
    • Licensing, which is often the final step of the process.
    • Also take note of regions that differentiate between embalmers and funeral directors, as the educational and apprenticeship requirements can differ from each other in those states.
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  3. The most common post-secondary schooling requirement to become a mortician is either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in mortuary science. These programs generally take two to four years. Some states require between 30 and 60 semester hours at a college, university, or school that’s accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education. [2] Mortuary science courses will teach you about: [3]
    • Embalming and restoration
    • Chemistry, anatomy, pathology, and microbiology [4]
    • Psychology, ethics, and grief counseling
    • Business and business law
    • Funeral service practices and traditions
  4. Most states and provinces require students to pass state, provincial, or national exams to become morticians, and a few states require both exams. [5]
    • In the United States, the national and state exams are administered by the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards.
    • In Canada, students may have to pass a provincial licensing or legislation exam. [6]
  5. An apprenticeship or internship with a licensed mortician may last anywhere between one and three years, depending on where you live. Some states allow you to work during school, while others require that the apprenticeship comes after graduation. [7] During your apprenticeship, you may have to accumulate:
    • Participation in a certain number of funeral services.
    • An allotted number of hours spent working or volunteering at a funeral home.
    • A specific number of embalmings you must perform under supervision. [8]
    • Keep detailed records of the hours you put in and the services you perform during your apprenticeship, as you may need to submit this information to get your license.
    • If you want to become a funeral director, find a great mentor.
    • Learn what to do and what not to do from people.
    • Many people work as interns. It is better not to go to the profession until you have worked in a funeral home.
  6. Most states and provinces require licensing for morticians, and you can usually apply for this after taking the necessary training, passing the exams, and completing your apprenticeship.
    • There are some states, such as Colorado, that have no real requirements for becoming a mortician, but they do have a voluntary certification program in place.
  7. Many areas require that morticians participate in a certain number of continuing education hours per year in order to maintain their licenses. [9] Some of the time requirements for different areas include: [10]
    • Six to 12 hours per year
    • Eight to 12 hours every two years
    • Training courses for HIV/AIDS
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Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Finding Employment

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  1. Being a mortician requires you to assist people at the most difficult time in their lives, and it demands patience, dedication, compassion, and communication skills. [11] Time management and organizational skills are also an asset, because you will have to manage multiple clients at once. Other skills that an employer will look for include: [12]
    • Attention to detail
    • Open-mindedness toward other cultural practices
    • Having a dignified and respectful manner
    • Being sensitive and emotionally stable
  2. Your state, province, or potential employer may require you to meet some non-academic requirements before you can work as a mortician. These include, but are not limited to:
    • Having updated immunization records
    • Submitting to a police or criminal background check
    • Holding a valid driver’s license
    • Being certified to perform CPR or First Aid
  3. Before you even have a chance to meet a potential employer, you’ll have an opportunity to make your best first impression through your cover letter and resume. These documents should be professional, concise, relevant, and customized for each potential employer. Without being repetitive, include details about:
    • Your training and education
    • What knowledge and experience you have that are specific to the funeral industry
    • What makes you an excellent and unique candidate
  4. Because of the aging population bubble, the funeral industry is forecasting growth over the next several years. That doesn’t mean landing a job will be easy, but it does mean there will be more opportunities available.
    • When starting out as a mortician, you can increase your chances of finding employment by looking outside your immediate surroundings.
    • Check with your alma mater to see if they offer job placement services for graduates.
    • Always check local classified ads, employment websites, and state, provincial, and national certification boards for job postings.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How many years of school do I need to become a mortician?
    Community Answer
    You'll need at least an associate's degree in mortuary science, but a bachelor's degree in mortuary science would be better.
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  • Question
    What states have the most lax requirements to become a funeral director?
    Community Answer
    The state of Colorado does not have a state board that specifically regulates morticians. As such, Colorado does not issue licenses for funeral directors or embalmers.
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  • Question
    What kind of schools should I apply to in order to become a mortician?
    Community Answer
    You should major in mortuary science or funeral service. There are private mortuary schools, as well as public colleges and universities that offer these programs.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.academicinvest.com/business-careers/management-careers/how-to-become-a-funeral-director
      2. ↑ http://nfda.org/licensing-boards-and-requirements.html
      3. ↑ https://collegegrad.com/careers/funeral-service-occupations
      4. ↑ http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/career-advice/life-at-work/i-want-to-be-a-funeral-director-what-will-my-salary-be/article20731809/
      5. ↑ https://ccfs.ca/provincial-specific-courses/
      6. ↑ https://ccfs.ca/provincial-specific-courses/
      7. ↑ http://www.academicinvest.com/business-careers/management-careers/how-to-become-a-funeral-director
      8. ↑ http://nfda.org/licensing-boards-and-requirements.html
      9. ↑ http://www.academicinvest.com/business-careers/management-careers/how-to-become-a-funeral-director
      1. ↑ http://nfda.org/licensing-boards-and-requirements.html
      2. ↑ https://collegegrad.com/careers/funeral-service-occupations
      3. ↑ http://www.academicinvest.com/business-careers/management-careers/how-to-become-a-funeral-director

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To become a mortician, you'll need to be sensitive, open-minded, and respectful of others. You should also have excellent communication skills since morticians have to communicate with people during difficult times. While the requirements for becoming a mortician will vary depending on where you live, generally you'll need to earn a degree, get certified, and complete an apprenticeship. If you're still in school, focus on taking classes in things like anatomy, chemistry, and psychology, which will help you in the field. For tips on how to find a job as a mortician, scroll down!

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      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 183,432 times.

      Reader Success Stories

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        Jul 3, 2017

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