Mortuary Science

Nature of the Work

Morticians, also called funeral directors or undertakers, arrange the details and handle the logistics of funerals. Most are trained, licensed, and practicing embalmers. Embalming is a sanitary, cosmetic, and preservative process through which the body is prepared for internment.

Employment

Morticians often work long, irregular hours. With about one-third being self-employed, morticians held about 26,000 jobs in 1994. Morticians must be licensed in all states except Colorado, with licensing laws varying from state to state. Embalmers are required to be licensed in all states.

Job Outlook

Employment of funeral directors is expected to increase about as fast as average through the year 2005. Employment opportunities are expected to be excellent, because the number of graduates is likely to continue to be less than the number of jobs available.

Earnings depend upon the size of the establishment and the number of services performed. According to a survey conducted in 1994 by the National Funeral Directors Association, owners/managers earned $62,506 and mid-level managers averaged $44,062.

The Program

The program at Gogebic Community College is designed to provide the general education core courses that are required to transfer to a college of mortuary science. The requirements set by the Michigan State Board of Mortuary Science include completing at least 60 semester hours at a recognized college such as GCC, graduating from a nine month course at an approved college of mortuary science, completing one year of resident training under the supervision of a licenced mortitician, be 21 years of age, a resident of Michigan, a citizen of the U.S., and be of good moral character.

The Requirements

The following are the required courses necessary to receive an Associate Degree in Mortuary Science:

COURSE		CREDIT
ORI 100	Freshman Seminar	1
ENG 101	English Composition I	3
ENG 102	English Composition II	3
ACC 201	Principles of Accounting I	4
ACC 202	Principles of Accounting II	4
MTH 110	College Algebra	4
SPE 101	Public Speaking	3
ECO 201	Macroeconomics	3
ECO 202	Microeconomics	3
CHM 101	General Chemistry I	4
CHM 102	General Chemistry II	4
BIO 101	General Biology I	4
BIO 102	General Biology II	4
SOC 101	Introduction to Sociology	3
PSY 101	General Psychology	4
HST 101	History of Western Civilization to 1650	4
	Humanities Electives	6
	Electives	6
	Physical Education Electives
	TOTAL CREDITS	67

Statistics taken from 1996-97 OCCUPATIONAL OUTLOOK HANDBOOK.