Embalmer
What is the work like?
Embalmers preserve bodies from the time of death until they can be buried or cremated.
As an embalmer, your work with the deceased would include:
- washing and disinfecting bodies to prevent deterioration and infection
- removing fluids and gases from the body and replacing them with injected preservatives
- washing and arranging hair and apply cosmetics
- using plaster of Paris or wax to restore the appearance of bodies after injury.
Your duties would also involve:
- working closely with funeral arrangers to make sure the families' wishes are met
- keeping the mortuary clean and enforcing health and safety regulations
- making sure the mortuary is fully stocked
- ordering essential items, such as chemicals
- completing the necessary paperwork required by law.
With some employers, embalming is part of funeral directing work (see the Funeral Director profile for details).
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You do not need any particular qualifications to get into embalming work. However, you may find it useful to have GCSEs (A-C) or similar qualifications in English, maths, chemistry and biology.
To achieve a professional qualification in embalming you would first need to find a relevant job and register with a tutor approved by the British Institute of Embalmers (BIE).
Vacancies do not come up very often, so it can be difficult to get into this kind of work. You may have an advantage if you have previous experience in a funeral service or in mortuary work, or you could try contacting local funeral homes to arrange work experience.
You will usually need a driving licence for this work.
What further training and development can I do?
You would receive on-the-job training, with part-time or distance learning tuition from a British Institute of Embalmers (BIE) approved tutor (often arranged through your employer).
Your training with a BIE tutor will include completing an introductory foundation unit, followed by a full registration course, which involves:
- anatomy
- physiology
- bacteriology
- practical embalming.
When you have completed your training, you can apply to the BIE for membership. See the BIE website for details, including a list of accredited tutors.
You could continue to develop your skills by taking courses in areas such as facial reconstruction, hair and make-up and air brushing.
Where can I go for more information?
Anubis House21c Station Road
Knowle
Solihull
West Midlands
B93 0HL
Tel: 01564 778991
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
Embalmers can earn between £10,500 and £20,000 a year.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would typically work 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. However, during busy periods, you may need to cover weekends. With some employers you may need to work an on-call, emergency rota.
Your working day may include some travelling to different funeral parlours locally and nationally. The mortuary setting is stark and clinical, and you will spend most of the day on your feet. When embalming, you would wear protective clothing such as rubber boots, gloves and a theatre gown.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- sensitivity to other people's feelings
- a responsible and dignified approach to work
- self-motivation with the ability to work alone
- a strong stomach for dealing with unusual sights and smells
- the ability to follow strict health and safety guidelines
- steady hands for delicate work
- the ability to pay close attention to detail
- an understanding and respect for different religious beliefs
- an interest in science, particularly chemistry and anatomy
- the ability to handle tools and surgical instruments.
What opportunities are there?
You could work for a large chain of funeral directors or an embalming company. With experience, you could become self-employed and work independently with several funeral directors.
You could go on to take further training and specialise in HIV or tuberculosis work or join a team responding to disasters, for example when people are killed in an air crash.
Jobs can be advertised in The Funeral Director Monthly, the business magazine of the National Association of Funeral Directors, The Funeral Service Journal and sometimes in newspapers or at local Jobcentre Plus.
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