Considering a Career in the Funeral Industry

By Fahd Pasha

Given that we spend our daily lives surrounded by living beings, the idea of working around those who have passed on may not be the first career choice that comes to mind. For many, death is a topic that is too taboo to discuss, so the idea of pursuing a career in the funeral industry may be difficult to fathom. But don’t be too quick to dismiss the field as you consider career options.

Believe it or not, the industry brings with it a diverse variety of opportunities, along with the potential for a lifelong, rewarding career.

Statistics Canada rated the job prospects of the funeral industry as “good” – and with the very large Baby Boomer generation aging, demand is expected to grow.

So why not consider exploring a career within the funeral industry? Here are some of the roles you may want to consider if this piques your interest.

The Funeral Director

No two days are ever the same for a funeral director – they have to wear many hats. For instance, one such hat is as an event planner. A funeral director is responsible for arrangements covering everything from meeting with the families to handling the legal paperwork required when a death occurs. The role requires an incredible amount of empathy, as funeral directors become directly involved with the family and members of the community to celebrate a loved one’s life and help the bereaved during the initial stages of grief.

To succeed as a funeral director, you’ll need to bring exceptionally strong communication, listening and organizational skills. Additionally, due to the nature of the job, funeral directors should be willing to work on-call and be flexible – this is an industry that isn’t always predictable. But the work is very meaningful: funeral directors provide an unbelievable amount of support to family and friends at a time they need it most.

Salaries in the profession start at about $45,000 per year, increasing up to $65,000 for those with more experience. There is an opportunity to make even more as one approaches management. While each province has its own specific licensing requirements, apprenticeship and completion of a diploma are usually required.

Cemetarian

As the title suggests, these are the individuals in charge of the maintenance of cemeteries. Often working alongside a funeral director, cemetarians work with families to plan and find the gravesites and attend to headstones. Often, this means going above and beyond to help and accommodate everyone, or even working closely with family members. For example, some smaller and more rural cemeteries allow, or even encourage, the involvement of family members in the landscaping around a loved one’s final resting place.

Many in this role come in with a deep love of nature and landscape design as they continually strive to improve the grounds and peoples’ experiences at their loved one’s final resting place. The cemetery is the place where friends and family can return to often to reflect on their loved one, so as a cemeterian you can help ensure they have a special place to remember their loved one for a long time to come.

Morticians

Morticians are responsible for overseeing the preparation of the loved one’s body and other duties requested by family members. Like a funeral director, the job can be just as demanding as it is rewarding.

The position involves individuals who have a unique skill set. Morticians are expected to wash and disinfect the bodies of the deceased to stave off infection and deterioration. They also are responsible for other tasks, such as applying makeup to create a peaceful and relaxed appearance. In some cases, they help loved ones of the deceased select suitable hymns or songs, select flowers and help the family with moving the body to a cemetery of their choice.

In Canada, the average salary for a mortician ranges between $31,149 and $61,130. The annual median income of a mortician is $41,705.

Increasingly more women are joining the industry

The funeral industry was once a male-dominated professional. But today, according to Statistics Canada, the proportion of women working in the funeral industry has nearly doubled since 1995. In Canada, women now make up one-third of funeral directors and morticians and that number is growing quickly.

There is no denying the fact that funeral work is tinged with sadness and professionals need to be able to handle the many emotions they encounter on a daily basis. Despite the fact that death is a serious business, funeral directors often have a well-developed sense of humour to cope with being around such grief.

The funeral industry might not be for everyone, but it shouldn’t be written off too quickly. For those wanting to serve families during their most difficult times, it can be a very rewarding career.

If you’re looking for a career in the funeral industry, or looking for a new exciting career change, check out Monster.ca to see if there is a position that might be right for you.