Embalmer

As an embalmer you could:

• look after bodies with care and respect
•  wash and disinfect bodies and restore the appearance of bodies after injury
•  remove fluids and gases from the body and replace them with preservatives
•  wash and style hair and apply make up
•  work with funeral arrangers to make sure the family's wishes are met
•  keep the mortuary clean and complete paperwork

• sensitivity and understanding
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• customer service skills
• the ability to work well with your hands
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• a desire to help people
• the ability to use your initiative
• knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You might need vaccinations to be an embalmer.

As a minimum, your employer should offer you vaccinations against hepatitis, tetanus and tuberculosis.

You can get into this job through:

• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• specialist courses run by a professional body

With experience you could:

• become self employed and work independently with several funeral directors
•  do further training to specialise in HIV or tuberculosis or join a team responding to disasters
•  become a funeral director