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Funeral Career Advice |
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Advice for those thinking about taking a step into a Funeral career.
The reason I have added this information is because we receive a lot of letters, phone calls and emails from people asking us either if we have job vacancies or advice on where they should start when they feel they need to make a career change.
Working within the funeral profession is not always an easy occupation to become part of; when I was trying to gain practical experience I remember writing over forty letters to Funeral Directors. I offered my help voluntarily just to gain an insight to the profession and hoped my willingness to learn would secure me a full or part time career. I received one letter in reply to my forty by a Funeral Director in Taunton who was prepared to have a chat to me about the profession but was unwilling to help me any further. I told him that I was interested in embalming after my research and I was not discouraged when he told me how difficult the training was and the commitment involved.
I have never looked back and am devoted to my occupation which is why I am all for encouraging and helping people of all ages by discussing the Funeral Profession as a whole. I find this gives people an understanding of different roles within this line of work and maybe they can then pursue the area that interests them the most. With the contacts we have, often we can pass on information to other Funeral Directors who may be looking for casual or fulltime employees if this is agreed by the person enquiring.
When working for a large company you will often find that you may work as someone that arranges funerals for the families, and this will be your role. If you are an arranger and would like to have the opportunity to conduct a funeral this would be unlikely as the larger companies have their own conductors. This will be consistent with simple preparation of the deceased; someone who works in the mortuary does not usually arrange a funeral or conduct one.
With a small independent Funeral Company you are given the chance to work in all areas if it is your wish, this is the way we run our company and we feel this brings comfort to the families we are supporting. The people who come through our door will be greeted and made to feel at ease by the same person who is with them during our chapel visits and again with them conducting on the day of the funeral.
If you have any questions about pursuing a career within the funeral profession then please email Luke: luke@bsfs.co.uk or Kate: kate@bsfs.co.uk
If your questions are related to the preparation of the deceased, mortuary area and embalming then please contact me liz@bsfs.co.uk
If you are considering a career in Embalming you should read the following:
- You need to complete an embalming course and become a member of the British Institute of Embalmers
- You must never lose sight that that you are in charge of someone incredibly precious and their family are waiting to see them
- You must have the strictest client confidentiality in work and out of working hours
- You need to be a very patient person
- Have a serious and dignified manner with a smart, conventional appearance
- Be aware that working in the winter months you will often find yourself in very cold mortuary's with no natural light all day long, so you will start in the dark and finish in the dark
- Be prepared for very long working hours from a 8hr - 20hr day so your own personal & family life will suffer
Working as a trade embalmer (which means you work for many other funeral companies) has many rewards but you are not often there to hear them, as the family's think the person showing them into the chapel of rest is the one responsible for the way their loved one is presented. You must be able to find the satisfaction in your work and do not expect to get a 'pat on the back' from anyone else.
Although I find embalming fascinating, frustrating, exhausting, inspiring, I am fanatical about my work and have finally found my vocation in life. It is an occupation not to be taken lightly and if you are in any way unsure if it is the career for you then give it careful consideration.
Best regards and good luck!
Liz Davis MBIE (Director: Bristol South Funeral Services Ltd.)
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