Choosing the right career can be difficult, but many people have an idea of what type of work they want to do early on. Working in funerary services can be a rewarding, challenging, and meaningful career for those who want to help others in their time of need. Employment as a mortician, funeral director, or anyone else in the industry necessitates compassion, an interest in the field, and a specific educational background. Keep reading if you want to learn more about what schooling is required in order to become a mortician.
What type of schooling do morticians need?
Before you decide to pursue a career as a mortician, it’s a good idea to learn more about what being a mortician entails and what kind of educational background is required. Fortunately, there is a wide range of resources available both online and off that can help teach you about mortuary services, funerals, and more. You can even search “funeral home near me” and see if they’re open to answering some of your questions about pursuing a career as a mortician. Talking to the owners and employees at a trustworthy funeral home can teach you a lot and help you confirm whether or not you’re making the right choice.
Most morticians obtain a Bachelor of Mortuary Science after completing their high school education. Getting into top programs can be competitive, so you may want to consider working with a college consultant on your application. Again, getting started is as easy as typing “college consultants near me” into your preferred search engine. Acceptance rates for some universities are in the single digits, so it’s worth doing whatever you can to give yourself an edge. Keep in mind that you should always focus on the right fit, which a consultant can also help you find.
After you finish your schooling, you’ll need to apply for licensure and pass your state’s licensing exam. Typically, you will then be required to complete an apprenticeship, which can last anywhere from one to three years, depending on where you live. Morticians must be at least 21 years of age in the United States, so keep that in mind when planning for your career.
What else should you know about becoming a mortician?
On a practical level, you may be wondering about job prospects for morticians in the United States. The labor force is projected to grow by at least 4 percent over the next decade, but the number of jobs available may be even more than expected given that projection. The average of funeral service workers in the United States means that turnover should be high in the coming years, with thousands of jobs becoming available for recent graduates. Funeral workers also make above the average median salary, with many positions offering competitive benefits.
Careers that involve dealing with death can involve a degree of emotional labor that other jobs may not. It’s important to be prepared for that aspect of your job and learn healthy coping techniques for the times when you’re feeling upset or overwhelmed. It may be worth considering therapeutic treatment if you notice that the demands of your job are affecting your mental health. There are substantial benefits to receiving therapy, even for those without a diagnosed mental health condition.
There’s a lot that goes into pursuing a career in the funerary services world, and it’s smart to take both practical and emotional considerations into account before you decide to become a mortician. If you do decide you want to be a mortician, researching the type of education you’ll need is a good place to start. The most common path is to obtain your bachelor’s in a relevant field, obtain your license, and then work as an apprentice for a few years. Once you’re qualified to work as a full-time mortician, you’ll be entering a growing field with plenty of opportunities to choose from.
