The demand for qualified embalmers will continue to rise as the population ages. Embalming is a difficult job that often requires irregular hours and long work weeks, so it requires a strong commitment to the field to begin with. To become an embalmer, a candidate does not need a college diploma, but he or she must complete a series of professional training courses in order to obtain a license and practice. Embalmers must also be at least 21 years old in most states.
Students must complete mortuary science programs, which can take up to three years to complete, in order to become embalmers. Students learn about state laws governing the handling of dead bodies, how to identify the cause of death, and accepted embalming practices in these programs, which are typically offered at technical schools or mortuaries. Although some universities offer four-year degrees in mortuary sciences, most states do not require completion of such a program in order to work as an embalmer; experience is valued more highly. Most students will need to apprentice at a funeral home after completing their chosen program in order to become fully licensed. Apprenticeships can last anywhere from one to three years, depending on the state’s laws.
To become an embalmer, students must prepare for and pass a state board examination after completing their apprenticeship. In the United States, there are both national and state board examinations, and many other countries follow a similar pattern. The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards has test centers all over the country, and test preparation materials are available online.
After completing training and receiving his license, the aspiring embalmer may be able to find work through placement programs offered his mortuary school. Embalmers can work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, medical schools, and morgues, where they prepare bodies for autopsies, studies, and dissection. Many embalmers progress to become funeral home directors, chief embalmers of their hospital or morgue, board members of various professional organizations, or teachers of new students as their experience grows.
Embalmers who want to work as funeral home directors should take some business and accounting classes so that they can better manage and market their services. Community colleges and local universities offer these classes. For the dedicated professional, becoming an embalmer can lead to a variety of career and learning opportunities.