Are you interested in the funeral home industry? Or perhaps you are curious about how things work behind the curtain? There are over 18,000 funeral homes in the United States with 89% owned and run by families.
So how does the death
industry operate? Funeral homes and their directors are an important part
of the process when our loved ones die. They are on call 24 hours a day, 365
days a year!
Do you want to know the secrets of
the funeral industry? Read on to learn what happens behind the scenes in a
funeral home.
Positions
Within the Funeral Industry
Along with the funeral director (or
mortician), there are various other positions within the funeral industry. The
funeral director will oversee the funeral arrangements and work alongside the
other members of the funeral home to take care of the deceased. Some funeral
directors are experienced in various other elements of funeral care such as
embalming and funeral arranging.
The funeral director is responsible
for sourcing funeral home supplies and may improve their profits with wholesale
headstones and coffins. The undertaker may
assist with graveyard supplies and other small tasks to ease the workload of
the funeral director. Other positions within the funeral home include:
- Funeral arranger
- Embalmer
- Undertaker
- Funeral attendant
Supporting roles within the funeral
home may also include florists, bookkeepers, and catering
managers. Dealing with people who have lost loved ones requires compassion
and empathy as it is a sensitive environment to work in.
How
Does a Funeral Home Operate?
The death industry operates via
thousands of companies and organizations that provide funeral services to the
public. The funeral industry is largely made up of family-run businesses
that provide a personal touch to their services. Many families live and work in
the same building where their business operates from.
Collect
the Deceased
The deceased are often
collected in an unmarked vehicle or minivan to avoid drawing attention to the
fact that someone has died. The body is collected from home or hospital and
taken to the funeral home. A human body will begin to decompose straight after
death and must go to the funeral parlor as soon as possible.
Prepare
the Body
The funeral parlor embalms the
body ready for viewing. If the person was in an accident then there may
also be an autopsy. They are then placed in a refrigerated area until the funeral
service takes place.
Arrange
the Funeral
The funeral director and funeral
arranger will liaise with the deceased person's family to discuss their wishes
for the funeral ceremony. This will involve transportation, floral
arrangements, and whether the person has a burial or cremation. At this point,
coffin and headstone sales are an important focus alongside supporting the
bereaved family.
The average cost of a funeral is between $7,640 and $9,135. Many people pay off their funerals during their lifetime
so that their families don't have to carry the financial burden. The funeral
director will work with the deceased's families to discuss payment options if
they have a large bill.
Discover
More About the Funeral Industry
The funeral industry is more complex
than one might imagine. The complex process of collecting a body and performing
the funeral is time-consuming and detailed. People who work within
the funeral industry certainly deserve more appreciation for the work
they do behind the curtain.
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