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Careers in the Funeral Industry
Few of us think of dealing with death and funerals as a career option. Yet working in the funeral industry can be a fulfilling and rewarding career. The staff employed in funeral homes need to have a variety of skills and a genuine desire to help, guide and support grieving people in their time of need.
The following is a list of the different jobs in the funeral industry. (Service Skills Australia 2011)
- Funeral Attendant
- Crematorium Operator
- Embalmer
- Funeral Director
- Funeral Director’s Assistant
- Gravedigger
- Mortuary Assistant
What training do I need?
Employees in the funeral industry need a mature and responsible attitude, given the sensitive situations they deal with. They are generally working with clients who are emotionally vulnerable, so they need excellent communication skills and an understanding of how people deal with grief. Physical strength to lift coffins, a good driving record and a well-groomed appearance are also prerequisites.
Do I need formal qualifications?
It is not essential to have formal qualifications in order to work within the industry; however formal training can help build your skills and your career options. There are a number of nationally recognised qualifications available within the industry:
Registered Training Organisations
- Funeral Industry Development Australia (03) 8327 0055) www.fida.com.au
- Mortuary & Funeral Educators (03) 9569 5013 www.mfe.com.au
Job Search Facilities
- Seek www.seek.com.au
- My Career www.mycareer.com.au
- Career One www.careerone.com.au
- Australian Job Search www.jobsearch.gov.au
Other Resources
- eziFunerals – http://www.ezifunerals.com.au
- Australian Apprenticeships 13 38 73 – www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au
- Service Industry Skills Council – www.serviceskills.com.au
- Fair Work Online 13 13 94 – www.fairwork.gov.au
Peter Erceg
Peter Erceg is the Owner and Founder of eziFunerals. He has had a long history within the funeral industry, and is a published author of ‘What Kind Of Funeral: A self help guide to planning a meaningful funeral’. Prior to eziFunerals, Peter worked in the public sector and health industry for more than 30 years. The views and opinions expressed on posts are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of eziFunerals and members.
