Embalmer & Funeral Director is a person who engages in the disinfection, preservation, preparation or restoration of human remains, negotiates or enters into funeral contracts, arranges, conducts or directs bereavement rites and ceremonies, arranges for the internment of human remains, and transfers human remains or directs or supervises the transfer of human remains. (Note: The Cremation, Internment and Funeral Services Act, in British Columbia requires that an individual must be a registered / licensed apprentice embalmer and or funeral director that is enrolled in a funeral services program designated as a recognized program under the Industry Training Authority.)

What do these workers do?
(Source: BC Work Futures)

Consult with the family of the deceased regarding the nature of the service or ceremony desired, the final disposition of the remains and funeral costs. Inform survivors of death benefits and other financial assistance that may be available. Funeral Directors must have excellent communication and organizational skills and be caring, sensitive and respectful.

Oversee the preparation of the remains, plan and schedule funeral services, coordinate burials and cremations, and complete legal documents. They discuss and negotiate pre-arranged funerals with clients and may also manage funeral home operations, including hiring and directing staff, maintaining financial records, preparing accounts and ordering merchandise. Funeral directors may also perform the work of embalmers.

Preserve, sanitize and prepare human remains for funeral services, performing cosmetic and restorative work in the process. The embalming process is done in a clinical or surgical environment, using a variety of embalming chemicals and instruments. Embalmers must have a thorough knowledge of diseases, health and safety regulations, anatomy, chemistry, and embalming and restoration procedures.

With the exception of a very few, most embalmers are also funeral directors.

Read the full Embalmer & Funeral Director Profile (40kb pdf).

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