Ever work for a funeral home? Know anyone who has?

steve-in-kville

steve-in-kville

Joined
Dec 25, 2001
Messages
1,139
Well, the wierdest things happen sometimes. I volunteer in EMS and once worked as a paid EMT in our nearby city. Our county coroner does not transport bodies... its the responsiblity of the chosen funeral home or local ambulance service. Sometimes we transport to the local morgue, sometimes to whatever funeral home the family has arranged for.

Anyways, I spoke with a funeral director today that offered me a job. Says she needs a motivated and responsible person to do some "dirty work" for her. Basically pick up bodies, help with embalming, etc. I guess she thinks I'm the type that can handle the work. And she tells me the money is good, too.

So, anyone do this kind of work? Certainly nothing to brag about. Wouldn't mind hearing some stories, too.

steve
 
Well you will ALWAYS have a job.

You could work WORLD WIDE. So relocation wouldn't be a problem.

The customers never TALK BACK.

I've not worked in one, but my friend back home "inherited" the local one. Been the family business since my gramps was a kid if not longer. Depends on the work, the pay, and how well you are at dealing with it. It's all stuff you gotta take into account.

Depending on your job now (If you're working fulltime.) I'd ask her if you could work on the weekends a bit to see if you can stomach the work before you put in your notice at your other place.

Just my change on the subject.

Good luck!

DM
 
Its gonna be a 24/7 on call job, but the hours will likely vary from week to week.

Good idea... maybe ask to "apprentice" for awhile.

steve
 
I did for many years during high school. And as a matter of fact, it was when I was an EMT/Firefighter such as yourself.

What are you wanting to know? Was I dying to get into the business? Was I coughing (coffin) at work? Was business dead slow? Ok, I'll stop.

Basically think of it this way; you are helping a family say goodbye to a beloved member, and it is your job to help them through this tough time. It's not as bad as you might think. (Except when you go pick up someone that passed away in their home in 100 degree heat, after two weeks.)

It is just another procedure that is performed on people.

More info: http://www.gupton-jones.edu/Pages/aframe.htm
 
steve-in-kville said:
Money? Benefits? Hours? What did your job entail? Would you do it again?

Thanks!!

steve
Click to expand...

Well it was back when I was in high school, so I imagine they were getting a good deal from me. It was strictly on call, so you being in EMS this needs no further explanation.

What did the job entail? Basically I would pick up the bodies from the hospital, nursing homes, their homes, or morgue. Then I would assist in the enbalming of the person, and prep them for the visitation. The day of the funeral, I would assist with parking, helping family members, and preping the burial site.

Would I do it again? Sure, if my I was willing or needing to make a career change. Pretty good job security also. If you look at it as a way to assist your community members saying goodbye to their loved ones, it can be a pretty good job. If you can become a funeral director and run your own funeral home that is where you want to be. Or you could become a contract embalmer where you just prep bodies for funerals. I have a friend that used to do it as a second income.

Sorry for the rambling, getting late for me.
 
I've known several guys who have been in that line of work. ALL of them were a little "off." I don't know if it's because of the profession or if they went into the profession because they were that way. So chances are you might end up a little weird... or you are going to end up working with some pretty odd people. Your call...
 
Triton said:
I've known several guys who have been in that line of work. ALL of them were a little "off." I don't know if it's because of the profession or if they went into the profession because they were that way. So chances are you might end up a little weird... or you are going to end up working with some pretty odd people. Your call...
Click to expand...

"Grabbing a cold one" takes on a whole new meaning for some of them fellas. :eek:
 
This is sort of related. When I was 18-19 years old, I worked hospital security. The funeral homes would come, and it was our job to take them to the morgue, open the freezers etc. Well, these big burly guys wouldn't do it!! So, little ole' female me took care of it. The funeral homes would tip me for doing it. I had no problem. I saw the organ in the jars, and the bodies. I could handle it!!

 
Takes a certain type of person to do that work.

I could not be the same person I am and do that work.

Ya know ?
 
DevilMan said:
The customers never TALK BACK.
Click to expand...

According to an aquaintence who worked in the business... Not exactly true.

He claims to have seen fresh bodies twitch, vomit, belch, fart, even sit up.

If it was true (always the chance he was BS'ing me,) could make for some nasty surprises.
 
Centaur said:
...fresh bodies twitch, vomit, belch, fart, even sit up.

If it was true (always the chance he was BS'ing me,) could make for some nasty surprises.
Click to expand...

Yup, that stuff happens. I worked with a girl who moonlights as her home-town's mortician, and I had a teacher who used to tell stories of his first job in a funeral home.

Of course, once they're embalmed, they don't make much noise.

DD
 
A very well needed and respected job IMO. One of my best friends works at a funeral home and is more normal than I am I think..........:p

I do think you would have to get used to the job, but no more so than EMT, Fire or Police work though.

I think each job in areas like these requires a certain amount of adapting to.


You should go for it.......... :D



Robbie Roberson ;)
 
I had a buddy in the USAF who was an embalmer. He told me that he had a girl friend who didn't quite understand what he did. He told her that he worked with people.:D One evening he was going to take her to movie and his car wouldn't start so he borrowed the hearse. Of course, she found out what he really did and that ended that romance.

He joined the air force to learn a different trade.
 
My older hlf-brother did that for a couple of years when he was in his twenties. Let's put it this way. It made him such a morbid, boring son-of-a-bitch that his wife left him and nobody wanted to be around him to hear those freakin' stories. He eventually went into real estate and is now back to being as close to normal as anyone in my family can be:D
 
The two funeral home people I have been well acquainted with were ordinary guys, good people. And they sure could tell some entertaining stories!

"Your tie's crooked. Lie down and I'll fix it for you."
 
I thought this was going to be just a general curiosity question. I worked for one in High school but I just washed the cars and kept the parking lot clean.
 
Steve (how are you? [bass_singer from RFC])

I think there was a special or two on TLC that showed some students going through a basic morticians course. Some of the things you will have to do are pretty high on the gross factor but I think you just have to get the proper mindset - you are doing it for the person and the family - and out of respect.

All the gurgling and sitting up and stuff is true. All sorts of weird stuff can happen until rigor mortis passes (something like 36 to 40 hours if I remember my forensics correctly.) Also depends on how the person died and how long they have been dead.

You've probably seen enough as an EMT to have an idea what to expect. Does the ME offer autopsy viewings? Could a detective friend on the force make an introduction to maybe get you in to see one? Will the moritician let you watch a few to give you an idea what you are in for?

It definitely takes a special (or conversely warped) person to do the job.
 
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