Funeral Service Most people dismiss anything having to do with death out of fear. The uncertainty some associate with death has caused Funeral Service to be a particularly taboo subject in society. One may assume funeral directors are the sketchy personalities enthralled with death, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Over the years, Funeral Service has progressed and become a larger industry. Funeral Service has changed in its history over time, affecting the education required, and the job they do today. In the present time, Ancient Egypt is one of the most notable early civilizations that took care in preserving the bodies of their dead (Wikipedia.com). However, preservation of the deceased’s body advanced during the Age of …show more content…
Enlightenment (ibid). Traditional burial used to be the most popular belief option by far, until cremation became more welcomed among people. Revolutionary War colonel Henry Laurens was the first reported person to choose cremation over a traditional burial (McKenzie and Harra, 89). Since then, the cremation rate has only risen. “CANA reported in 2013 a national average cremation rate 42.0 percent. It is predicted to be at 49.1 percent by 2017” (McKenzie and Harra, 90). While cremation has become a more prevalent option, it does not affect the business of funeral homes. There are currently 20,915 funeral homes in America (nfda.org). Funeral homes usually have offices, a chapel, a showroom for caskets and merchandise, and at least one flower van and hearse (collegegrad.com). Some have taken to having a crematory to add to the services they provide. One other service they provide is the chapel to be used as an option for where the funeral service can take place. A funeral director is incredibly helpful when planning details like funeral locations. One may not hear the term ‘funeral director’ be used, but possibly ‘mortician’ or ‘undertaker’ (Wikipedia.com). The title was changed from undertaker to mortician in 1895, when the Embalmer’s Monthly magazine asked for entries to change it (ibid). A little while earlier, in 1882, the NFDA (National Funeral Directors Association) was formed (McKenzie and Harra, 23). Years later, on April 30, 1984, the Funeral Rule was made law; it was then amended in 1994 (Wikipedia.com). The Funeral Rule was made to protect consumers from dishonest prices for goods and deceit where the law is concerned (ibid). An honest character would definitely be a trait one would need if they want to become a funeral director. After making the decision to go into Funeral Service, thinking about the education needed is important.
Taking biology, chemistry, business, and public speaking classes while in high school is a great help when it comes to getting a degree in mortuary science (collegegrad.com). Communications courses are also helpful to take before going into mortuary science (nfda.org). When going to college for a mortuary science degree, the typical classes to take include: ethics, grief counseling, funeral service, business law, embalming, and restorative techniques (collegegrad.com). The education requirements to become a funeral director are to: have a high school diploma or equivalent; graduation from an accredited program requires the completion of an associate’s degree, the completion of approximately forty-five credits specifically in mortuary science; an internship or apprenticeship ranging from one to three years; and passing a state examination (nfda.org). To take the funeral directing and embalming exam, one must be twenty-one years old, have completed two years in an ABFSE mortuary science program, and serve/have served an apprenticeship lasting one to three years (ibid). The required apprenticeship of one to three years can be completed before, during, or after earning a mortuary science degree (ibid). Funeral directors and embalmers must be licensed in Washington, D.C. and the state where they are employed, with an exception for Colorado …show more content…
(ibid). After getting licensed, the work never seems to cease, once employed.
Funeral directors are full time employees. They sometimes are on call and have to work some weekends and holidays (collegegrad.com). “The median annual wage for undertakers was $46, 840 in May 2012” (ibid). Most plans for a funeral service are made within twenty-four to twenty-seven hours after the time of death (ibid). This means that funeral directors typically handle more than one funeral at a time (ibid). There are three types of funerals that the family of the deceased may choose from: a “traditional” full service funeral, immediate burial, or direct cremation (Wikipedia.com). If one desires an open casket funeral, the deceased would need to be embalmed. Embalming is the process of removing blood from the deceased’s body and replacing it with embalming fluid in order to preserve the body (collegegrad.com). When embalming, a funeral director must follow five steps: one-checking paperwork and identifying the body to make sure no mix up between funeral homes has been made, and two-disinfecting the body and setting the features (cracked.com). “Setting the features is where we pose and manipulate the person’s face to give them that ‘just sleeping’ appearance” (ibid). Restoration might also be necessary depending on the condition of the body. Restoration is the process of using materials and cosmetics to return the body back to the way it used to look or at least close to it (ibid). Besides preparing the
body, other funeral service duties include: providing emotional support to the bereaved, arranging for removal of the deceased’s body, filing death certificates and other legal documents, and training junior staff (ibid). Some important qualities to have for this occupation would be: time management skills, business skills, interpersonal skills, and most importantly compassion (collegegrad.com). It is true that funeral service is an unusual occupation, but is highly necessary. It takes a lot of empathy and a heart for service to do this job right. If one decides that Funeral Service would be suitable for them, they will not be disappointed. It is truly emotionally rewarding when the families come to realize just how kind most funeral directors are.
The Egyptians during this period took ample time and detail on the mummification process to ensure a successful transition from the netherworld to rebirth. The Coffin of Tentkhonsu, 1025-980 B.C., it’s a depiction of how the Egyptians valued and honored their elite members of society, as well as their gods. The Coffin of Tentkhonsu, itself dates back to the III intermediate period in Egyptian culture. The Egyptian believe was to join Osiris, whom was believed to have ascended to Netherworld and accomplished eternal life.
In the essay “On the Fear of Death” Elisabeth Kubler-Ross focuses on dying and the effects it has on children as well as those who are dying, while in Jessica Mitford’s “Behind the Formaldehyde Curtain” focuses more on the after fact when the deceased is being prepared of their last appearance. Both authors, point out that the current attitude toward death is to simply cover it up. A successful funeral is when the deceased looks “Lyf Lyk” in Mitford’s Essay, but in Kubler-Ross’ it is dying at a peace with oneself, no IVs attached. Both authors feel that the current views of death is dehumanizing. Mitford points this out with the allusion that the funeral parlors are a theatrical play, while Kubler-Ross comments “I think there are many reasons
Each person has their own reason why the work in the funeral industry. Some people find it a “calling”. Others see it as a job only they can do. I do it because I enjoy helping people during a dark time and I don’t feel squeamish or sick when I handle remains. This is an occupation that is needed. People do not like to be reminded of their mortality, and when they experience death, it is shocking. We are here so that we can help them move past that shock and understand and accept their loss. We’re here to care for the deceased with the respect and dignity that everyone deserves in death.
In the past four decades the cost of a funeral service has risen 1,328% (Boring) and that’s not just because Morticians wanted to out of pure greed. One must take into account that modern mortuaries are much more of a business than before. Prior to 1970, the majority of funeral homes were were independent, family run. Today about 14% of funeral homes are run by a publicly traded corporation (Boring) meaning there’s a plethora of capital involved in these businesses now. The homes are built better and by professionals rather than by individuals with some tools, the home’s are extremely more sanitary since there’s more than likely no one living in these funeral homes unlike before, and the quality of the products these services are providing is greater than before.
“In most human society's death is an extremely important cultural and social phenomenon, sometimes more important than birth” (Ohnuki-Tierney, Angrosino, & Daar et al. 1994). In the United States of America, when a body dies it is cherished, mourned over, and given respect by the ones that knew the person. It is sent to the morgue and from there the family decides how the body should be buried or cremated based on...
In Sandy Hingston’s “The death of the funeral business”, the story motivates people into moving into different sets of values or beliefs that weren’t acquainted in their previous ideas. I feel the understanding of change in culture is motivating the author. The time that she is living a time and era in which we as the people search for many ways to have freedom. This includes freedom of choice from the restraints of our own minds such as culture and beliefs we are so accustomed to. Hingston is seeing as a change on how we perceive our body because of the time and era it occurs in. One of the the biggest change in history is the since 1884 which introduced the use cremation. This later rose in popularity overtime in which it finally reached
Holloway dug into the history of African American death through a series of interviews, archival research, and analyses of literature, film, movies, theater, and music. Through it, Holloway showed how the vulnerability of African Americans to untimely death is inextricably linked to how black culture represents itself and is represented. In dealing with grief and loss, African American researchers have primarily focused on the “death-care” industry—black funeral homes and morticians, the history of the profession, and its practices. Holloway took a stronger and more active approach by researching all facets of the burial business: emergency room physicians, hospital chaplains, hospice administrators, embalming chemical salesmen, casket makers, funeral directors, and grieving relatives.
requirements it takes to be a funeral director. You have to be on call 24-hours
Imagine yourself as a mortician, certified as an embalmer, retort operator, funeral director, and a funeral cosmetologist. You get a call late at night, there’s been a terrible accident and someone has died. You arrive at the hospital and are directed to a small room where the body of the deceased is being held. There’s blood all over the sheets as the doctor and coronary assistant zip up the body bag and inform you the body was badly mangled in a car accident, which is going to make reconstructing the deceased very difficult. Your assistant puts the body on the stretcher and loads it into the hearse while you talk to the wife of the deceased man. She tells you they plan to have a funeral so you give her your card and a reassuring word before leaving the hospital and driving back to the funeral home. Now your job begins, not only will you have to reconstruct this man’s disfigured body, but you must meet with the family, discuss funeral arrangements, and deal with the family’s emotional trauma that comes with losing a loved one. Although working in the funeral business can be emotionally draining, it’s a satisfying feeling to see mourning families able to say goodbye to their loved ones. Despite the fact that working so closely with the deceased can be chilling, Mortuary science can be a thrilling field to work in.
The elements that will be focused on are the multiple functions of the tomb and rituals, specifically the mummification of bodies. Ancient Egyptian tombs had many functions; the main function being to hold the bodies of the dead. Tombs were typically built during a person’s lifetime and were ready by their time of death (Olson, 2009). Before bodies were put in the tombs, they underwent a process called mummification to help preserve the body and keep it intact. The tomb was also a place where family members could come and visit the deceased. In the early years, tomb structures were very simple; they consisted only of one chamber (Grajetzki, 2003: 3-4). Later on, façade tombs were built— which consisted of two parts; an “underground chamber for the dead and the superstructure built above the ground, over the shaft and the burial chamber” (Grajetzki, 2003: 8). Next, the Egyptian tombs and ...
Once receiving the proper training, many soon to be morticians will apprentice for a fully fledged mortician for about one to three years (“Mortician” para. 26). Finally, the last step to kicking off a career as a mortician is passing a state or national written exam. Preparation for this test should be receiving your degree in the field of mortuary science (“Mortician” para. 24).
Perhaps the most notorious of burial practices originating in Egypt is that of mummification. Why such an extraordinary attempt was made to preserve cadavers may seem
Death is something that no one wants to go through or have to deal with, especially concerning the loss of loved ones. Unfortunately, it is not possible to go through life without experiencing this loss. Throughout the past several decades, the way that we view death and the funeral industry has changed significantly. Recently, it has seemed much more apparent that funeral industries are using death as a means of getting rich. But why?
A funeral is an important event that should be planned with careful consideration, as each person only gets one to celebrate his or her life. People often die expectantly and suddenly leaving any funeral and burial arrangements in the hands of friends or relatives. These friends or family of the deceased may or may not have a good understanding of what the deceased would have preferred in his or her post death arrangements. A person planning his or her own funeral can prevent this guessing game and insure the arrangements are to their specifications.
The funeral director will be able to advise on and arrange all the details that make up yours or your loved ones funeral service. They are here to provide you with the help and support you need, when you need it most.