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To
be a successful Funeral Director/Embalmer you should:
- Display composure, tact, and the ability to communicate
easily with the public
- Have the desire and ability to comfort people in their
time of sorrow
- Be able to hold a confidence
- Be prepared to work in a field in which each day brings
a new challenge
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| What
type of education and/or training do I need?
Most states require an associate degree in funeral service,
passing a national examination, serving an apprenticeship
of one to two years, and passing of state law and practical
exams. The apprenticeship may be served before or after
schooling, depending on the state. In Connecticut the
apprenticeship must be served after finishing the educational
and national exam components. |
| Do
I need a license or certification for this career?
Licensure is required in the State of Connecticut.
Prerequisite: Connecticut requires completion of an approved
Funeral Director program; National Board Examination of
the Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards; one
year of acceptable practical training; CT laws and regulations
examination. |
| Where
can I get more information? National Funeral
Directors Association
13625 Bishop's Drive
Brookfield, WI 53005
(800) 228-6332
nfda.org |
| What
is the salary for this career? $31,886 and
Higher
(Source: Connecticut Department of Labor) |
|
| What
will my job be like? Expect to spend 20 percent
of your time with the deceased, and 80 percent with the
living. Funeral Director/Embalmers perform a variety of
tasks, including the arranging of the funeral, preparation
of the deceased, meeting with the public during calling
hours, and being active in the community for both public
service and public relations. There is a substantial amount
of paperwork involved for record keeping and federal and
state regulations. |
| Where
could I work? Typically, a funeral director/embalmer
works at a funeral home. Small homes, doing 70-120 funerals
per year, will have varying work hours dependent on the
availability of a funeral. Generally, funeral directors
will work a 40-hour week including evenings, weekends,
and on-call hours. |
| What
is the future of this career? Little or no
change is expected in overall employment through 2010.
Employment of Funeral Directors is projected to increase
more slowly than the average career for all occupations
as the number of deaths increase, spurring demand for
funeral services.
|
Where
can I get the education and/or training?
- Briarwood College, Southington
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