Mortician

OFO No: 516304

What is a Mortician?

A Mortician works in a funeral parlour. A Mortician can also be the Embalmer and/or the funeral Director.

A Mortician prepares the body/corpse to make to make it look as life like and as natural as possible for the funeral. In some cases this can be very hard work, if the body has been disfigured through accident or disease. If the corpse is too damaged, the body will not have an open coffin to save funeral goers undo emotional stress.

What does a Mortician do?

• discusses requests from family of how they want the body prepared
• collects the dead body from a home, hospital or morgue
• keeps body cool under refrigeration
• washes the body using soap and disinfectant
• drains all fluids from the body (blood, urine etc)
• fills blood vessels with tinted embalming fluid (preserves body for funeral)
• dresses the corpse and adds appropriate accessories
• arranges the hair and does make up
• paints finger nails if family wants it done
• if body is damaged – uses reconstructive methods to make body look right
• delivers body to the funeral / graveyard / crematorium

Are you . . . ?

• respectful?
• emotionally stable?
• understanding and empathic?
• observant?
• detail orientated?
• a good communicator?
• a good listener?
• creative?

How do I become a Mortician?

You will need a qualification.

CLICK HERE for SAQA’s registered qualifications.

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Embalmer or Make Up Artist

Is becoming a Mortician the right career choice for me?