Mortuary science
Encyclopedia
Mortuary science is the study of dead 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.
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.
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. Illinois, Mississippi, and Texas have four schools and New York has five.
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.
exposure during embalming procedures, but that, too, can be 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.
s 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.
Funeral homes usually have staff available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
that prepares a student for a career as a mortician or funeral director
Funeral director
A funeral director , also known as a mortician or undertaker, is a professional involved in the business of funeral rites. These tasks often entail the embalming and burial or cremation of the dead, as well as the planning and arrangement of the actual funeral ceremony...
. Many also study embalming
Embalming
Embalming, in most modern cultures, is the art and science of temporarily preserving human remains to forestall decomposition and to make them suitable for public display at a funeral. The three goals of embalming are thus sanitization, presentation and preservation of a corpse to achieve this...
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 can first unofficially be seen in ancient times; it is not something new. Most famous are the EgyptiansAncient Egypt
Ancient Egypt was an ancient civilization of Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt. Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh...
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.
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
Anatomy
Anatomy is a branch of biology and medicine that is the consideration of the structure of living things. It is a general term that includes human anatomy, animal anatomy , and plant anatomy...
, physiology
Physiology
Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or...
, pathology
Pathology
Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling....
, 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. Illinois, Mississippi, and Texas have four schools and New York has five.
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.
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 formaldehydeFormaldehyde
Formaldehyde is an organic compound with the formula CH2O. It is the simplest aldehyde, hence its systematic name methanal.Formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a characteristic pungent odor. It is an important precursor to many other chemical compounds, especially for polymers...
exposure during embalming procedures, but that, too, can be 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 homeFuneral home
A funeral home, funeral parlor or mortuary, is a business that provides burial and funeral services for the deceased and their families. These services may include aprepared wake and funeral, and the provision of a chapel for the funeral....
s 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: casketCasketA casket, or jewelry box is a term for a container that is usually larger than a box, and smaller than a chest, and in the past was typically decorated...
s 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.
See also
- Morning Glory Funeral Home scandalMorning Glory Funeral Home scandalThe Morning Glory Funeral Home scandal took place at the Howell Morning Glory Chapel in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1988, and involved improper disposal and burial of bodies by the funeral home's owner, Lewis J. Howell...
- National Funeral Directors Association
- The American Way of DeathThe American Way of DeathThe American Way of Death was an exposé of abuses in the funeral home industry in the United States, written by Jessica Mitford and published in 1963...
, by Jessica MitfordJessica MitfordJessica Lucy Freeman-Mitford was an English author, journalist and political campaigner, who was one of the Mitford sisters...