In the Air Force:
Aerospace Medical Service; Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice, Flight and Operational Medical Technician; Aerospace Medical Service Craftsman, Allergy/Immunization Technician; Aerospace Medical Service Helper; Aerospace Medical Service Helper, Independent Duty Medical Technician; Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman, Flight and Operational Medical Technician; Health Services Management; Health Services Management Craftsman, Health Information Technology; Health Services Management Superintendent; Services Helper
In the Marine Corps:
Personnel Retrieval and Processing Officer; Personnel Retrieval and Processing Specialist; Personnel Retrieval and Processing Technician
In the Navy:
Ceremonial Specialist; Hospital Corpsman; Mortician
As a mortician, undertaker or funeral director, you will be a bridge for those who wish to make plans for their future death, as well as those who have recently survived the death of a loved one and wish for closure. Morticians and undertakers may help clients resolve insurance claims, apply for veterans’ funeral benefits, arrange transportation for mourners, decorate the sites of all services, and find resources on overcoming grief among many other diverse tasks. Funeral service managers conduct the general matters of running a funeral home, such as allocating expenses, handling marketing and public relations, and managing staff. For many who aspire to become a funeral service worker, the key to success is by obtaining an associate’s degree in mortuary science. Funeral directors and embalmers are legally required to obtain a license everywhere, except Colorado. Additionally, funeral service workers are expected to do an apprenticeship of 1-3 years under the guidance of a licensed funeral service professional. As a funeral service worker, you may need to coordinate funeral services within 24 to 72 hours of death. For many funeral service workers, this means working long, unpredictable hours in the evening and on weekends. For funeral service employees, the work is never truly done. As a mortician, undertaker, or funeral director, you will be a member of a robust, growing industry that provides vital services to those who need them.
What they do:
Plan, direct, or coordinate the services or resources of funeral homes. Includes activities such as determining prices for services or merchandise and managing the facilities of funeral homes.
On the job, you would:
Consult with families or friends of the deceased to arrange funeral details, such as obituary notice wording, casket selection, or plans for services.
Direct and supervise work of embalmers, funeral attendants, death certificate clerks, cosmetologists, or other staff.
Schedule funerals, burials, or cremations.
Business
customer service
management
Arts and Humanities
English language
philosophy and religion
Engineering and Technology
computers and electronics
Math and Science
psychology
Basic Skills
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
talking to others
Social
looking for ways to help people
understanding people's reactions
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Verbal
listen and understand what people say
communicate by speaking
Ideas and Logic
notice when problems happen
order or arrange things
People interested in this work like activities that include leading, making decisions, and business.
They do well at jobs that need:
Attention to Detail
Integrity
Dependability
Self Control
Stress Tolerance
Concern for Others
You might use software like this on the job:
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Presentation software
funeralOne Life Tributes
Microsoft PowerPoint
Data base user interface and query software
HMIS Advantage
Twin Tiers Technologies CIMS
associate's degree or professional degree usually needed