Mortuary science is the study of deceased bodies through mortuary work. The term is most often applied to a college curriculum in the United States that prepares a student for a career as a mortician or funeral director. Many also study embalming to supplement their mortuary science studies. Some states require funeral directors to be embalmers as well. Often the decision to study mortuary science comes before attending college.
History
Funeral directing occurred in ancient times. Most famous are the Egyptians who embalmed their dead. In the United States, funeral directing was not generally in high esteem before the 20th century, especially in comparison to physicians, but because many funeral directors study embalming as part of mortuary science programs, they can be classified as a part of the medical field.
Funeral directors gained higher status that peaked in the 1950s but which later declined in the 1960s and 1970s. Many reputations were eroded as a result of high profile exposés on unethical sales practices and police investigations that followed criminally negligent behavior of some morticians. However, funeral homes remain a necessity in society, though employment growth until 2014 is expected to increase at a slower rate compared to other occupations.
Mortuary Science Colleges Video
Training
Degree requirements differ by school and by state. Those wishing to become funeral directors have other requirements that usually include two years of college coursework (including studies in mortuary science), one year of experience as an apprentice, and a qualifying examination.
College degrees in mortuary science can usually be earned in two to four years. Some community and junior colleges offer two-year programs while universities can offer both two- or four-year programs. The curriculum typically includes courses in anatomy, physiology, pathology, embalming techniques, restorative art, and business management. Suggested coursework or extracurricular activities include those that enhance skills in public speaking and interpersonal communication, as funeral directors should be personable and skilled communicators in their work with grief-stricken clients.
More than thirty states have schools that offer mortuary science programs. For example, Illinois, Mississippi, New York, and Texas all have four schools.
Student reactions
Students of mortuary science report feeling the pressure of odd questions and looks from other college students. They become shunned by other students and find that they associate only with other mortuary science students.
Regarding personal reactions, mortuary science students indicate a certain level of desensitization, as human bodies they work with become an impersonal "interconnected system of arteries and veins." While students often explain that their first experiences are the most difficult, they do become accustomed to the work, though the various odors are considered the worst element of the job.
Funeral Cosmetology
Cosmetology for Funeral Practitioners. The practice of funeral cosmetology involves highly developed remedial techniques for decedents hair as well as skin and nail care. In the past, when open casket visits at funeral homes began, the undertakers, as they were known at that time, realized more appropriate care of that service was needed. Many different situations called for specific solutions which the undertakers were not equipped to handle. There were times when they met with disaster such as when loosening a decedent's tangled hair. This created loss of hair and the results were poor, especially when a cranial incision had been performed. The undertakers would call salons and barber shops requesting their help who were often shocked at this unusual request. For the most part these professionals were unwilling to accommodate them. The reason for this is that the Standard Cosmetology textbook never included a chapter for Desairologists, which is now covered in "Desairology, Medical Beauty Hygienic and Funeral Hair Care" For that reason the practitioners at times, had to learn how to do it themselves. "Specialized Cosmetology for Funeral Professionals" is the standard for them to study from. It is a guide for Funeral directors to expand their skills in providing basic hair care to decedents with the aid of illustrations and techniques.
Risks
Mortuary science students are also subject to disease. As morticians often work with infectious cadavers, an element of risk is inherent, though considered remote if recommended precautions are followed. They are also subject to formaldehyde exposure during embalming procedures, but that is avoided with strict health regulations.
Emotional stress can take a psychological toll on mortuary science students. Students report the strongest reactions when working with the bodies of children. The emotional and mental strains account for a high drop-out rate among mortuary science students.
Funeral homes
Studies in mortuary science include business management classes, as many graduates later open their own funeral homes as small businesses. Twenty percent of funeral business are made up of individual businesses owned by morticians. Because of the need for funeral homes in most cities in every state, many establishments thrive and competition grows.
Establishing a funeral home is not difficult in some states for degreed individuals. In some cities, a mortician's license may include a registration fee, formal notification to the state, and/or a building inspection.
Facilities
Funeral home facilities usually include:
- Wake room: for services and visitations.
- Preparation room: for embalming and restoration.
- Merchandise display: caskets and other merchandise that customers may buy.
- Privacy room: for the family.
- Office: for mortician's personal and administrative use.
- Livery: a garage to keep hearses and other vehicles.
Funeral homes usually have staff available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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