When you are looking at career options, a lot of people don’t think of the funeral industry as one with a number of great career progressions. Ultimately, the subject matter is something that stops most of us from ever going down this route. However, the funeral industry is a dynamic and constantly changing one, making approximately $20.7 billion per year, and there are many career opportunities. If you are looking to build a business and get it noticed in this industry, there are a number of career opportunities that you could utilize.
Funeral Director
The funeral director is someone who oversees every aspect of the funeral home. The typical funeral director will be in charge of every aspect, from speaking with the bereaved and arranging the service to arranging the practical aspects, such as the hearse and church trucks. A funeral director is someone who has to be incredibly dynamic as they are dealing with all different types of people in particularly vulnerable positions. The goal of the funeral director is to bring the deceased’s memory to life through the service.
Ceremonialist
Also known as celebrants, these are people who work with the bereaved to make sure the departed has a worthy celebration. The role of a celebrant is, in many ways, a creative one. They will first meet with the people to plan the ceremony and will organize a rehearsal before the event, and usually lead the ceremony on the day. There are also additional administrative procedures. Celebrants are almost like the director of an event, who offers practical advice on a number of things, such as music and venues, and they can also help to write tributes or readings. Additionally, it can involve marketing the business to attract clients. This is a role that is, naturally, quite diverse. And this is a great option for people who want to be self-employed.
Other Roles Within the Industry
It’s also important to remember that it’s not just about the obvious roles, but there are many other types of roles that you could fulfill, which include some of the following:
Embalmer
An embalmer is someone who provides embalming services to funeral homes. This is a process where you preserve the human remains by treating them with chemicals. Some embalmers work for funeral homes, while others offer their independent services.
Pathology Technician
These are people who prepare specimens for examination in morgues and hospital settings.
Crematorium Technician
These are people who prepare the remains for cremation, perform the cremation, and arrange for the disposal of the ashes.
Funeral Supplier Salesperson
There is also the other side of the equation where funeral supply providers offer a number of essential items, such as limousines, hearses, caskets, and chemicals.
Working within the funeral industry is not a normal job, but it’s important to remember that you are the person that is dealing with a very sensitive subject matter. If you have empathy, sympathy, a caring nature, while also delivering amazing customer service, there are numerous career options for you within this industry.
Leave a Reply