39-4011.00Apprenticeship

Embalmers

Prepare bodies for interment in conformity with legal requirements.

Career Cluster:Healthcare & Human Services
Job Family:Personal Care and Service
Job Zone:Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Industry:Other Services (Except Public Administration)
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Technology Tools

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Key Tasks

  • Conform to laws of health and sanitation and ensure that legal requirements concerning embalming are met.
  • Apply cosmetics to impart lifelike appearance to the deceased.
  • Join lips, using needles and thread or wire.
  • Clean and disinfect areas in which bodies are prepared and embalmed.
  • Close incisions, using needles and sutures.
  • Incise stomach and abdominal walls and probe internal organs, using trocar, to withdraw blood and waste matter from organs.
  • Make incisions in arms or thighs and drain blood from circulatory system and replace it with embalming fluid, using pump.
  • Dress bodies and place them in caskets.
  • Remove the deceased from place of death and transport to funeral home.
  • Perform the duties of funeral directors, including coordinating funeral activities.
  • Attach trocar to pump-tube, start pump, and repeat probing to force embalming fluid into organs.
  • Pack body orifices with cotton saturated with embalming fluid to prevent escape of gases or waste matter.
  • Reshape or reconstruct disfigured or maimed bodies when necessary, using dermasurgery techniques and materials such as clay, cotton, plaster of Paris, and wax.
  • Conduct interviews to arrange for the preparation of obituary notices, to assist with the selection of caskets or urns, and to determine the location and time of burials or cremations.
  • Insert convex celluloid or cotton between eyeballs and eyelids to prevent slipping and sinking of eyelids.
  • Assist with placing caskets in hearses and organize cemetery processions.
  • Maintain records, such as itemized lists of clothing or valuables delivered with body and names of persons embalmed.
  • Wash and dry bodies, using germicidal soap and towels or hot air dryers.
  • Arrange for transporting the deceased to another state for interment.
  • Perform special procedures necessary for remains that are to be transported to other states or overseas, or where death was caused by infectious disease.
  • Supervise funeral attendants and other funeral home staff.
  • Serve as pallbearers, attend visiting rooms, and provide other assistance to the bereaved.
  • Direct casket and floral display placement and arrange guest seating.
  • Arrange funeral home equipment and perform general maintenance.
  • Assist coroners at death scenes or at autopsies, file police reports, and testify at inquests or in court, if employed by a coroner.
  • Press diaphragm to evacuate air from lungs.

Skills

Speaking
72%
Active Listening
69%
Time Management
53%
Social Perceptiveness
53%
Writing
53%
Service Orientation
53%
Critical Thinking
53%
Coordination
50%
Reading Comprehension
50%
Active Learning
50%
Monitoring
50%
Judgment and Decision Making
50%
Complex Problem Solving
47%
Management of Personnel Resources
44%
Operations Monitoring
44%
Instructing
41%
Science
41%
Negotiation
35%
Persuasion
31%
Quality Control Analysis
31%
Systems Analysis
28%
Operation and Control
28%
Systems Evaluation
28%
Learning Strategies
28%
Mathematics
25%
Operations Analysis
25%
Troubleshooting
25%
Management of Material Resources
25%
Management of Financial Resources
25%
Technology Design
22%
Equipment Selection
16%
Repairing
13%
Equipment Maintenance
13%
Programming
6%
Installation
0%

Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service
92%
Chemistry
66%
Psychology
65%
English Language
62%
Law and Government
60%
Biology
56%
Administration and Management
55%
Administrative
54%
Philosophy and Theology
52%
Education and Training
50%
Therapy and Counseling
49%
Computers and Electronics
46%
Public Safety and Security
45%
Medicine and Dentistry
44%
Sociology and Anthropology
41%
Mathematics
38%
Transportation
36%
Telecommunications
31%
Communications and Media
31%
Economics and Accounting
30%
Production and Processing
29%
Sales and Marketing
28%
Personnel and Human Resources
26%
Engineering and Technology
26%
Physics
21%
Mechanical
18%
Foreign Language
17%
Geography
15%
Building and Construction
10%
Design
8%
Fine Arts
6%
History and Archeology
4%
Food Production
0%

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Abilities

Near Vision
75%
Problem Sensitivity
66%
Oral Comprehension
66%
Speech Recognition
60%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
60%
Oral Expression
60%
Deductive Reasoning
56%
Speech Clarity
56%
Information Ordering
56%
Visualization
53%
Inductive Reasoning
53%
Manual Dexterity
53%
Written Expression
50%
Finger Dexterity
50%
Written Comprehension
50%
Control Precision
50%
Trunk Strength
50%
Visual Color Discrimination
50%
Far Vision
47%
Static Strength
47%
Multilimb Coordination
47%
Selective Attention
47%
Category Flexibility
44%
Fluency of Ideas
44%
Flexibility of Closure
44%
Depth Perception
38%
Time Sharing
35%
Originality
35%
Perceptual Speed
35%
Extent Flexibility
31%
Hearing Sensitivity
28%
Auditory Attention
28%
Mathematical Reasoning
25%
Reaction Time
25%
Night Vision
25%
Sound Localization
25%
Stamina
25%
Peripheral Vision
25%
Spatial Orientation
25%
Gross Body Equilibrium
25%
Glare Sensitivity
25%
Wrist-Finger Speed
25%
Speed of Closure
25%
Rate Control
25%
Memorization
25%
Response Orientation
25%
Number Facility
25%
Gross Body Coordination
25%
Dynamic Strength
22%
Speed of Limb Movement
16%
Explosive Strength
13%
Dynamic Flexibility
0%

Work Activities

Assisting and Caring for Others
89%
Documenting/Recording Information
85%
Handling and Moving Objects
83%
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
83%
Getting Information
79%
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
76%
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
75%
Processing Information
74%
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
73%
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
73%
Communicating with People Outside the Organization
71%
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
71%
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
71%
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
70%
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
68%
Performing General Physical Activities
67%
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
66%
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
63%
Working with Computers
59%
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
59%
Controlling Machines and Processes
57%
Thinking Creatively
57%
Performing Administrative Activities
55%
Scheduling Work and Activities
54%
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
52%
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
52%
Developing Objectives and Strategies
49%
Analyzing Data or Information
49%
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
47%
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
46%
Training and Teaching Others
46%
Monitoring and Controlling Resources
43%
Coaching and Developing Others
38%
Developing and Building Teams
38%
Selling or Influencing Others
31%
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
28%
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
28%
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
27%
Staffing Organizational Units
18%
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
16%
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
16%

Work Context

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

99%

Telephone Conversations

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

99%

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?

97%

Time Pressure

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

94%

Frequency of Decision Making

How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

92%

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?

92%

Deal With External Customers or the Public in General

How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?

91%

E-Mail

How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?

91%

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

89%

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

89%

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

87%

Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities

How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?

85%

Exposed to Disease or Infections

How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?

85%

Exposed to Contaminants

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

84%

Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?

83%

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?

82%

Physical Proximity

To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?

81%

Written Letters and Memos

How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?

81%

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?

79%

Consequence of Error

How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?

77%

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment

How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?

77%

Conflict Situations

How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?

76%

Duration of Typical Work Week

Number of hours typically worked in one week.

75%

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

73%

Health and Safety of Other Workers

How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

69%

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions

How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

68%

Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers

How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?

68%

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

67%

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?

64%

Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People

How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?

60%

Public Speaking

How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?

60%

Spend Time Standing

How much does this job require standing?

58%

Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection

How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?

51%

Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures

How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?

50%

Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body

How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?

44%

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?

43%

Outdoors, Under Cover

How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?

42%

Spend Time Walking or Running

How much does this job require walking or running?

42%

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

How much does this job require making repetitive motions?

40%

Level of Competition

To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?

39%

Spend Time Sitting

How much does this job require sitting?

39%

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

37%

Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions

How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?

34%

Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions

How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?

28%

Work Schedules

How regular are the work schedules for this job?

26%

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?

24%

Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling

How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?

20%

Degree of Automation

How automated is the job?

18%

Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People

How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?

17%

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?

15%

Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)

15%

Exposed to High Places

How often does this job require exposure to high places?

7%

In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment

How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?

7%

Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles

How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?

7%

Exposed to Radiation

How often does this job require exposure to radiation?

4%

Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance

How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?

1%

Exposed to Whole Body Vibration

How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?

0%

Education

Associate's degree

86%

Bachelor's degree

14%

Interests

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t

81

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum

46

Social

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

41

Enterprising

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis

28

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f

25

Artistic

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,

12

Work Styles

Attention to Detail
92%
Dependability
86%
Integrity
70%
Stress Tolerance
69%
Self-Control
67%
Sincerity
54%
Cautiousness
49%
Cooperation
49%
Empathy
47%
Perseverance
47%
Humility
37%
Achievement Orientation
30%
Initiative
24%
Optimism
23%
Leadership Orientation
20%
Adaptability
19%
Intellectual Curiosity
10%
Social Orientation
10%
Self-Confidence
1%

Work Values

Independence
72%
Support
72%
Relationships
67%
Working Conditions
56%
Achievement
45%
Recognition
28%

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