Embalmer
Comprehensive Sites
CareerOneStop: ONET OnlineRead a summary, details on the job, and custom data on the work activities of an embalmer at this overview website. State and national information lets you select your state and get specific details, such as what embalmers earn in a particular location. A career video can also be accessed, in addition to career tools and industry information.
ISeek: EmbalmerThe career of an embalmer is introduced at the video accessible here. You can also click on links that will give you overviews of work activities, skills needed, job preparation, wages, available positions, and needed certifications.
Office of Science Education Lifeworks: EmbalmerFrom this site of the National Institutes of Health, you can gather some basic information on what it’s like to be an embalmer and also details on wages and related occupations. You’ll learn about training, qualifications, and advancement. Reading the work description might help you decide if being an embalmer is right for you.
Princeton Review: Mortuary ScienceFind out about the basics of all mortuary science careers at this site, which also offers links to information on actual high school preparation for these occupations, schools offering the major, sample undergraduate curriculum, and graduate programs in the field.
Occupational Titles
Embalmer
Embalmer Apprentice
Accredited Academic Programs
American Board of Funeral Service EducationThis is the national academic overseer of funeral services college and university programs, ensuring high standards in this important field. Scholarships, programs, and links to frequently asked questions about the job market and going to college to enter this field are provided.
Princeton Review: Schools Offering Mortuary ScienceThe list of schools at this page offers links to accredited programs across the country in mortuary science. If you are interested in entering this field, access the school sites here to further explore what interests you.
Salary Levels
PayScale: EmbalmerFree salary information is available at this page, which combines details on median hourly rate for an embalmer, with information according to years of experience. The median hourly rate by city, state, or province is also displayed at the page, which has connections to further information on salary by gender, degree, or major.
Professional Organizations
Academy of Professional Funeral Service PracticeThe designation of membership in this organization provides professionals with a distinction of service that sets them apart. Find out about membership in this organization and what benefits are available to you as a member in the funeral services profession.
American Society of EmbalmersPromoting excellence in the practice, this organization offers learning and networking opportunities, as well as career information, a list of approved schools, and information on what’s new in mortuary science. A student membership is available.
National Funeral Directors’ AssociationLearn all about funeral service and related professions at this organization, dedicated to ensuring high standards in the field. Publications are available, as well as funeral career services, statistics, trends in the industry, and other funeral service association links.
Job Opportunity Sources
National Funeral Directors’ Association: Funeral Career CenterThe career center of this organization offers job seekers the ability to post a resume at this page, view the latest jobs in the field, and create personal job alerts and job seeker accounts. Other career resources include links to mortuary science programs, funeral service scholarships, and state associations.
Simply Hired: Funeral Director/Embalmer JobsThe group of links available at this site connects you to a few available jobs in the mortuary science field. Positions are taken from other major career sites and include opportunities across the country.
Licensing & Certification
National Funeral Directors’ Association: State Licensing BoardsFind out about local requirements from your state licensing board by connecting directly to specific state sites. Types of license, educational requirements, continuing education requirements, and apprenticeship needs are listed by state, as well as contact information for each board and its web site.
Publications
American Funeral DirectorIndustry news is available at this online publication version, as well as web exclusive articles. A free biweekly e-zine for funeral and cemetery professionals is available, with links to important related resources
International Cemetery, Cremation, and Funeral AssociationIndustry resources are available here, providing details on products for the profession, an Internet expo, news, and links to state and regional associations. The consumer guide also offers answers to important questions on funeral and cemetery arrangements and issues related to end-of-life.
Mortuary ManagementMortuary Management is a trade publication that provides funeral directors, embalmers, cemeteries, and students with information on the industry, suppliers, independent news, and guidance in practice. Features of the current issues are available online, as well as back issues, and other sources of information for the profession.
Online Forums & Blogs
Funeral WatchFrom American Funeral Director, this list requires a free sign-up to participate and offers the ability to network with funeral service and cemetery colleagues nationwide about building a business, laws, regulations, and important end-of-life topics.
Career Videos
YouTube: EmbalmersLearn about vocational training, the needed knowledge in biology and cosmetics, and specifics of the career, such as the personal traits needed. You will learn the reasons why this particular aspect of mortuary science is so important.
YouTube: EmbalmingWatch the essentials of embalming as shown by real-life employees in this occupation. Tools of the trade, a relationship you might have with a funeral director, and particular aspects of dressing, respecting, and dealing with the deceased are presented.
YouTube: Funeral Director Job DescriptionFind out how funeral directors make a difficult time easier and the choices they help families make. You will learn how you might handle the practical and emotional needs of a family, the variety of services a funeral director provides, and the needed establishment of relationships with the government and diversity of the populations served. Licensing requirements, apprenticeships, and examination requirements are discussed, as well as factors indicating a promising future for these professionals.
