Mortician (Occupation Code : 516304)
The path to becoming a Mortician
Description
Prepares bodies for viewing and internment.Tasks
Preparing the bodies of deceased people for viewing and for burial or cremation by washing, dressing and applying cosmetics.Reshaping or reconstructing disfigured or maimed bodies when necessary.
Providing information on funeral service options, products or merchandise, and maintaining a coffin display area at the funeral home.
Consulting with families or friends of the deceased to plan and coordinate funerals, burials or cremations.
Arranging details such as funeral time and venue, clergy for the service, transportation, pallbearers, obituary notice wording, coffin selection and flowers.
Obtaining the information required for completing legal documents, such as death certificates or burial or cremation permits.
Contacting cemeteries for scheduling of the digging and closing of graves.
Leading the funeral procession to the place of worship or burial site, receiving or ushering people to their seats for services, and closing the caskets after viewing.
Managing the funeral home operations, including the hiring, training and supervising of other staff.
Learning Pathways
Learnership 1
Step 1 : Admission requirements
- Further Education and Training Certificate (NQF 2,3 & 4)
Step 2 : Learnerships
- Learnership - Funeral Services Practitioner Level 3
A learnership is a structured learning programme, consisting of theoretical and practical components, that leads to a qualification. In order to enter a learnership you need an employer.
Step 3 : In-service training
- In-service Training
Short courses, skills programmes and on-the-job training are offered by employers.