Finally, the main distinction between a funeral director and an embalmer is that the funeral director assists the family in planning and carrying out the funeral, whereas the embalmer is responsible for the physical preparation of the body for burial. The funeral director and embalmer, working together, are usually able to care for a body prior to burial and assist the family during the funeral, ensuring that final wishes are honored to the greatest extent possible. In smaller funeral homes, the funeral director and embalmer may be the same person, but in larger operations, there may be several embalmers and a single funeral director. A funeral director is typically the public face of the funeral home, whereas an embalmer works behind the scenes.
The embalmer prepares the body for burial after it has died. To preserve the body, this usually entails a thorough cleaning with germicidal soap and the complete replacement of the person’s blood with embalming fluid. He or she may also apply makeup to make the dead person appear almost alive and repair any disfiguring injuries, such as those sustained in an accident.
While the embalmer’s many tasks take place behind the scenes, the funeral director is out in the open, meeting with families and assisting with final arrangements. A funeral director assists a family who has lost a loved one in making decisions about the location of the funeral services, the type of services, and when they should be held. The funeral director and embalmer may work together to dress the deceased in preparation for burial and to advise on what jewelry or other items should be buried with the deceased, though the embalmer usually communicates with the director.
Aside from the duties of the funeral director and embalmer in handling the deceased and making all necessary funeral arrangements, the funeral director is also responsible for a large amount of paperwork associated with the death. The necessary documents are submitted in order for a death certificate to be issued, which is usually done the state or another locality where the person lived. Funeral directors frequently assist people dealing with financial issues such as pensions and annuities, and they may also provide guidance on how to handle wills and other documents left the deceased.