Funeral directors and embalmers

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

• Funeral directors

• Consult with the family of the deceased regarding the nature of the funeral service, the disposition of the remains and funeral costs

• Transfer, or arrange for the transfer of, the remains from the place of death to the funeral home

• Inform survivors of benefits for which they may be eligible

• Issue death notices to newspapers

• Oversee the preparation of the remains, plan and schedule funeral services, coordinate burials and cremations and complete legal documents

• Discuss and negotiate prearranged funerals with clients

• Manage funeral home operations including hiring and directing staff, maintaining financial records, preparing accounts and ordering merchandise

• Supervise embalmers, funeral home attendants and other funeral home staff

• May perform same duties as embalmers.

• Embalmers

• Preserve, sanitize and prepare human remains for funeral services

• Perform cosmetic and restorative work on human remains

• Supervise funeral home attendants and other funeral home staff.

• Completion of a one- to two-year college program and a twelve- to twenty-month practical apprenticeship program during or following the educational program is usually required for funeral directors.

• Completion of a two- to three-year college program and a twelve- to twenty-month practical apprenticeship program during or following the educational program or completion of a three-year college program is required for embalmers.

• Funeral directors require licensure in most provinces and territories.