Funeral directors and pathologists benefit from the assistance of a mortuary technician. Technicians can help with administrative tasks, assist during procedures, and provide information to interested parties such as family members of the deceased in funeral homes and autopsy facilities. Regulations and employer preferences may influence the requirements for working in this field. Some may be able to work without formal education in mortuary science, forensics, or a related field, while others will require formal education in mortuary science, forensics, or a related field.
A mortuary technician assists the funeral director in the funeral home, who is directly responsible for preparing bodies for viewing and coordinating funeral arrangements with families. In the embalming room, mortuary technicians ensure that health and safety standards are met, that the working environment is kept clean, and that supplies are fully stocked. They may be dispatched to gather remains, and they can process incoming remains, check for storage space, and prepare them for embalming.
A trained professional performs embalming procedures, but a mortuary technician can assist. People may require tools, assistance in moving the deceased’s body, and assistance with equipment adjustments. After the body has been fully prepared, mortuary technicians can dress it, apply makeup, and perform other tasks to prepare it for burial. They also assist in the preparation of bodies for viewings and may transport them to the cemetery or crematorium. Paperwork, such as obtaining death certificates, may also be required.
Autopsies are assisted the mortuary technician at a forensic facility. During the procedure, this may include taking photographs, laying out tools, and passing instruments to the pathologist, as well as some evidence collection, such as fingernail scrapings and hair combings. The technician must take special precautions, such as wearing appropriate coverings and keeping the facility clean and orderly, to maintain the chain of custody and protect evidence.
Mortuary technicians can also help with paperwork, such as autopsy reports, death certificates, and other similar issues. They work under supervision and are not allowed to sign off on final reports on their own. They may act as liaisons between family members and investigators, assisting with information transmission and ensuring that forensic technicians, detectives, and others working on the case have the information they require. Depending on the facility’s protocols, family members with questions and concerns may speak with a mortuary technician; in some facilities, the pathologist meets with family members directly.