Embalmer

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• specialist courses run by a professional body

Entry requirements:

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Mortuary Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, or Embalmer Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship.

These can take between 2 and 3 years to complete.

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Work

If you're already working in the funeral industry, you could train to become an embalmer with support from your employer.

Volunteering

You might find it useful to have work experience in a funeral service, mortuary or funeral home when applying for trainee roles.

OtherRoutes

Training course

You'll usually need to complete an online or classroom based training course approved by the British Institute of Embalmers . You can take

Courses can take between 2 and 3 years to complete. You'll have practical sessions in an embalming theatre.

There are no set entry qualifications but GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English, maths, chemistry or biology might be helpful.

When applying, you might have an advantage if you know about different faiths and cultures and the way they deal with death.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• sensitivity and understanding
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• customer service skills
• the ability to work well with your hands
• physical skills like movement, coordination and dexterity
• a desire to help people
• the ability to use your initiative
• knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
• knowledge of psychology
• the ability to work well with others
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• business management skills
• knowledge of English language
• thinking and reasoning skills
• active listening skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• concentration skills

What you'll do:

Embalmers preserve and prepare bodies for burial or cremation.

As an embalmer you could:

• look after bodies with care and respect
• wash and disinfect bodies and restore the appearance of bodies after injury
• remove fluids and gases from the body and replace them with preservatives
• wash and style hair and apply make up
• work with funeral arrangers to make sure the family's wishes are met
• keep the mortuary clean and complete paperwork

Location : You could work in a laboratory, at a funeral home or at a research facility.
Environment : Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding and you'll travel often.
Uniform : You may need to wear protective clothing.

Salary:

Starter : £21,000
Experienced : £35,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

41 - 43 hours a week

Working Pattern is weekends at short notice

Career Path:

With experience you could:

• become self employed and work independently with several funeral directors
• do further training to specialise in HIV or tuberculosis or join a team responding to disasters
• become a funeral director