Mortician Salary
A mortician, also known as a funeral director or undertaker, plays several important roles. While his or her main role is to prepare the body for burial or cremation, this is far from the only job he or she will need to handle in the field in order to get the mortician salary.
To earn the mortician salary, you will need to prepare yourself for the emotional burden you will be carrying, since it will also be your responsibility to help the relatives, friends, and other loved ones of the deceased make the funeral arrangements. As such, you will need to be compassionate in order to help you deal with other people’s grief.
It is also the responsibility of the mortician to liaise with the parties who are involved in the funeral, including the transportation to the hospital to the funeral home, the preparation of the obituary, coordinating all of the details of the memorial service, making arrangements for the preparation of the casket or urn, and preparing the death certificate. Morticians may also be tasked to help families apply to the deceased’s insurance company for death benefits, pensions, and such.
Given these numerous responsibilities, it’s not surprising to find out that most morticians are on call 24/7. As such, becoming a mortician is definitely one of the most challenging but rewarding careers out there.
Average Mortician Salary
There are several factors that can affect a mortician salary, including the experience level, amount of training received, and location. Working in public or private practice can also affect how much income he or she will be receiving in this line of work.
The average salary range is between $30,000 and $60,000 in the United States, although this will rise or fall depending on the mentioned factors. The 10th percentile of morticians is said to earn about $30,700, while those in the 90th percentile earn $94,000.
Education and Training Needed to Become A Mortician
The education and training you will need in order to work as a mortician will depend on the state that you plan to practice in. Most states require that you get an Associate’s degree in funeral service education or its equivalent. This can be a two- or four-year course, depending on the school where you’ll be studying. Subjects they will need to take up include pathology, physiology, restorative art, and business management. While learning embalming is not compulsory, morticians can also go through the training in embalming techniques in order to improve their chances of career growth. Some states also require morticians to complete apprenticeships before they can work in the industry. All states require aspiring morticians to take and pass a licensure exam as well.
Job Growth Outlook
The industry is projected to grow in the next 5 years, with experts estimating a 12% increase from 2008 to 2018. This will mean more job opportunities, and possibly a higher wage, especially for those who are already established. Prospects are particularly good for those who have been trained in embalming.
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