Embalmer
Embalmers preserve and prepare bodies for burial or cremation.
- Starter salary£21,000 a year
- Experienced£35,000 a year
- Typical hours37 to 43 a week
What you'll do
As an embalmer, you could:
- prepare bodies by washing and disinfecting
- remove fluids and gases from the body and replace them with chemicals
- restore the appearance of bodies, using family photos
- wash and style hair and apply make up
- work closely with the funeral team to meet the family's wishes
- keep embalming facilities hygienically clean
- complete job records and manage stock supplies
- mentor trainees
- treat the deceased with care and respect at all times
Working environment
You could work at a funeral home, in a laboratory or at a research facility.
Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding and you'll travel often.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- sensitivity and understanding
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- customer service skills
- the ability to work well with your hands
- the ability to work well with others
- concentration skills
- the ability to understand people's reactions
- knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
How to become a embalmer
You can get into this job through:
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- specialist courses run by a professional body
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do a Mortuary Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, or Embalmer Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship, with a funeral services company.
These can take between 2 and 3 years to complete.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
Work
You could start as an administrator or funeral arranger with a funeral services company and move into embalming by doing training on the job.
Volunteering
You might find it useful to get some work experience with a funeral company, mortuary or funeral home. This could help when applying for trainee roles.
Other routes
You'll usually need to complete a training course approved by The British Institute of Embalmers .
Courses can take between 2 and 3 years to complete. They include practical sessions in an embalming theatre.
You may need GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English, maths, chemistry or biology for some courses. It's important to check with course tutors before enrolling to understand exactly what's required.
Restrictions and requirements
You might need certain vaccinations to be an embalmer.
You may also need a driving licence for some jobs.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could:
- manage a team of trainees and assistant embalmers
- become self employed and work with several funeral directors
- specialise in embalming and restoring bodies affected by disease
- join a team responding to major accidents and disasters
- become a funeral director
- train as a pathology technician in the NHS
Career tips
When applying for training or jobs, you may have an advantage if you have some knowledge of the funeral practices of different faiths and cultures, and how they deal with the deceased.
Professional and industry bodies
You could join The British Institute of Embalmers for professional development opportunities and to make industry contacts.
Guides for this industry
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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0