Morticians are important professionals who are needed every day in our communities. They have a highly rewarding career, where they can help people in need and enjoy great job stability. However, the work of a mortician is quite unique—and not everyone is willing to handle the demands of the job. Morticians, also known as funeral directors, are responsible for organizing all aspects of a funeral. They arrange end-of-life services for those who have deceased, and help bereaved family members through the difficult process of planning a funeral. While the work environment can be somber, it can also be extremely fulfilling for those who are prepared for the role.
Before we discuss the pros and cons of being a mortician, let’s first recap what a mortician does for a living. On a daily basis, morticians and funeral directors can be found:
- Preparing obituaries
- Arranging clergy services and pallbearers
- Coordinating processes with the cemetery or crematory
- Scheduling the events around a funeral and wake
- Preparing the funeral home and sites for the services
- Providing transportation for the deceased, as well as mourning loved ones
- Transferring pensions, insurance policies, or annuities on behalf of family members
- Embalming bodies for services (dependent on the role)
- Filing death certificates and other legal documents
- Offering counseling to grieving family and friends
- Ensuring the services provided meet the wishes of the deceased
- Meeting with those living to discuss and plan their end-of-life wishes
- Handling other tasks around the funeral home, such as organizing merchandise, ordering inventory, taking phone calls, and more
As you can see, becoming a funeral director or mortician is not for the faint-of-heart. This career, after all, revolves around death and what happens after a person passes away. However, there are highly rewarding aspects of this job, too. Morticians help people through some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. They are able to make a real impact on grieving families, by easing the burden of preparing funeral services. They also enjoy unique work experiences where they can wear different hats, whether that means exploring mortuary science, meeting different people, or organizing events.
So, what are the pros and cons of being a mortician? Let’s dive in.
The Pros of Being a Mortician
- You get to help people in need.
Being a mortician is very important work. Society needs the support of morticians, who ease the process of arranging a funeral. For families who have just lost a loved one, this work is invaluable. You can serve as a guiding light through some of the most vulnerable times in a person’s life. You can facilitate the process of grief, counsel families through difficult choices, and help them say goodbye with dignity. For many morticians and funeral directors, they find great meaning in their career and this alone is what keeps them going to work every day.
- You can expect good compensation.
Due to the intricacies of their work, morticians and funeral directors can expect a lucrative salary. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for funeral home managers is $72,110 per year (as of May 2022). The median annual salary for morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers was $51,570 that same year. However, certain states offer more substantial pay. For example, Connecticut is ranked one of the top-five paying states for morticians and funeral arrangers. Being a mortician in Connecticut will earn you an average salary of $73,740 annually, which is over $20,000 more than the national average. Funeral home managers in Connecticut earn over $102,000 per year. This means that, with the right training and education, you can earn upwards of six figures over the length of your funeral service career.
- There is job security in this field.
As mentioned, there will always be a need for morticians and funeral directors. Funeral services, in general, are an important aspect of the life cycle and will therefore always be in demand. According to the BLS, morticians and other funeral service workers will see employment growth of about three percent between 2021 and 2031. About 5,700 job openings for funeral service workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. These job openings will stem from the need to replace retiring workers, as well as the aging baby boomer population planning for end-of-life.
- You will have unique work experiences.
No day of work is the same for a mortician. These professionals work with a diversity of people and populations, helping them in a variety of ways. Not only this, but the work itself can vary on a day-to-day basis. Every death and every person’s story is different in some way. You will constantly be exposed to new situations, new challenges, and new opportunities in your career. You can also look forward to professional experiences, training under other professionals through an apprenticeship, and gaining specialized education through a funeral service degree program. As noted above, the work itself varies too. Funeral directors and morticians often wear all types of hats. Some days, they are focused on counseling families in need. On others, they are event planners – scheduling the events (and corresponding transportation) needed for funeral services. Some morticians are also embalmers, and some of their days involve more scientific and creative processes in preparing bodies for viewing.
Wondering how Goodwin University will prepare you for the wide range of responsibilities of a funeral service professional? Check out this video to catch a glimpse at a day-in-the-life of a Funeral Service student!
The Cons of Being a Mortician
- The job can be emotionally draining.
Due to the nature of the field, working in funeral service can be emotionally demanding at times. Not everyone dies a peaceful death, and you may see (or hear of) tragedies along the way. You will also work with people during some of their darkest hours, and with that, will witness their emotional pain as they grieve their loved ones. However, there is a silver lining to all this. If you find meaning and fulfillment in helping people overcome challenges in life, you can find purpose in a funeral director or mortician role.
- The hours can be long and difficult.
Most morticians work full, 40-hour weeks. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these professionals are often on call, and therefore can end up working irregular hours (including evenings and weekends). The reality is, people can pass away at any hour or any day, and funeral homes are 24/7 – just like any healthcare career.
- There is some stigma around this profession.
While many people will appreciate your work (particularly your clients), some people may not understand the nature of your career. There is a social stigma around mortuary science, in some capacity, because it deals with death – and death is a scary, delicate, and often unknown topic. You may find that many people are curious about (or even fascinated by) your job. Others may ask some snarky questions or make obtrusive comments, simply because they do not understand funeral service work. It can be hard for people to wrap their heads around this profession, but you can help educate others on the importance of the career.
Is Becoming a Mortician or Funeral Director Right for You?
While being a mortician or funeral director has some downsides, there are many perks within the profession. And if you have the heart and skills for the job, you will be sure to excel. The best type of morticians and funeral directors are those who are compassionate and empathetic, organized and detail-oriented, gregarious and, most of all, passionate about working with people in need. Does this sound like you? Find out if a mortician career is right for you.
Funeral directors have the unique ability to make a difference in the lives of others, and lighten the load of loss through the important work they do. All the while, they can expect job stability, good salary potential, and consistent career opportunities throughout their years in the field. If this sounds like a path you’d like to pursue, you can take the next steps forward by:
- Earning a degree in Mortuary Science,
- Completing the National Board Examination, administered by the American Board of Funeral Service Education,
- Training under a professional mortician through an apprenticeship, and
- Taking your state’s board examination to become certified.
Goodwin University offers a comprehensive Funeral Service degree program that will train you to become a well-rounded mortician, funeral director, or other funeral service worker. The program can be completed in 24-months full-time, and provides a blend of classroom, laboratory, and internship experiences to ensure you get the training you need to exceed.
Interested in learning more about the pros and cons of being a mortician? Contact Goodwin University today to speak with an admissions specialist, by calling 800-889-3282 or requesting information online here.
