Professionals who prepare deceased bodies for burial or cremation are known as morticians, often known as funeral directors or undertakers. They are in charge of seeing to it that the deceased is treated with respect and dignity and that their remains are looked after correctly. Morticians carry out a range of tasks, including embalming and dressing corpses, planning funeral ceremonies, and supporting families during their time of loss.
Embalming is one of a mortician’s most crucial responsibilities. Embalming is the procedure for preserving a body by switching out the blood for a chemical concoction. This aids in slowing the process of decomposition and enables relatives and friends to view the body during a funeral service. Morticians may even style the deceased’s hair and apply makeup in order to make the body appear as natural as possible. However, families can decide to have a closed casket funeral if they’d rather not embalm the body.
Organs are not taken out of the body by morticians. Contrary to popular belief, organs are only actually taken out when a legal autopsy is required. However, in the majority of cases, the body is prepared for burial or cremation with all of the organs still present. Morticians may also cut into the body to drain fluids or prepare it for embalming, but they take great care and respect for the deceased when performing these treatments.
Many individuals enquire as to why coffins are only partially exposed during burial rites. As a fully opened coffin can be overwhelming for some people, this is typically done for aesthetic reasons. Additionally, it enables the mortician to arrange the body in a way that appears serene and natural. Families may, however, opt for a fully open or totally closed casket if they so desire.
A mix of education and training is necessary to become a mortician. The majority of morticians has degrees in funeral service or mortuary science, and they are required to serve an apprenticeship under a certified funeral director. This normally takes two to three years to finish and includes practical instruction in body preparation, embalming, and funeral planning. In addition, the state in which they work requires morticians to have a license.
Morticians can make a nice existence in terms of pay. In May 2020, the median annual salary for funeral service managers was $78,040, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The size of the funeral home or mortuary, location, experience, and other considerations can all affect compensation.
In conclusion, mortuaries are essential in the process of preparing corpses for burial or cremation. They assist families in navigating the challenging process of saying goodbye to a loved one while carrying out a number of activities with care and respect. A career as a mortician can be fulfilling for people who are driven to assist those in need and who are willing to put in the necessary education and training.