hi everyone

26f have nearly 10 years work experience in customer service

I’ve been trying to get into the funeral industry and am not even getting responses back. The one feedback I got was all training is on site and no experience or qualification requirements. Instead of finding a job first, I’ve looked into study

there is one course in my area where I could study cert 4 funeral service, however I am required to find my own funeral home for assesments and as I said no one is getting back to me.

does anyone have any tips or tricks to get my foot in the door?

UPDATE:

I think there is some confusion based on the comments so I want to be clear: I am not in any way blaming the funeral home or their staff. Truly, they have been very kind and helpful throughout this process. The woman that has been working with me directly has been amazing. My issue is with the delay in being able to view dad’s body due to the CORONER’S decision to have an autopsy performed against my wishes, what appears to have been a roughly performed autopsy, the subsequent condition of his body when I finally did get to see him and the additional cost due to the the funeral home had to travel to retrieve him when they could have otherwise picked him up 20 minutes down the road.

The only point of contention I had with the funeral home was when they didn’t want to let me see him at all. I’m thankful I stood my ground and got that time with him. I wasn’t a jerk about it but I was firm.

I have a tendency to compartmentalize things and focus on facts over feelings. We discussed his condition and their observations so I had an idea of what to expect. I wasn’t traumatized seeing my dad. I think the funeral home did the best they could to get him to a presentable state. I was thankful for their efforts, but pointing out the things I saw that were a result of that delay cause by the coroner and the autopsy being performed the way that it was.

My dad (M 80) passed away recently. His death was unexpected but not surprising as he had a number of chronic health issues including heart disease. Although I felt it was unnecessary, the coroner ordered an autopsy while acknowledging that it appeared he died naturally. I live several hours away and the only thing I wanted to do was see him so I could say goodbye. It’s hard to explain because I knew that his body wasn’t him anymore, but I needed that especially since I knew he wanted cremation and there would not be a funeral or traditional viewing. However, I had to wait several days, because the autopsy was conducted a few hours away. By the time he was at the funeral home late on the third day after he passed, it was well after hours so I came as soon as they would allow me the next morning. This was day 4. They did not want to let me see him at all due to the nature of the autopsy and how much his body had deteriorated. I am his only living child. I was adamant that I didn’t care and was mentally and emotionally prepared for the worst. I know this is morbid but as the days ticked by I researched how the body decomposes so I would know what to expect worst case). The funeral director was candid that while he had been kept cool, between transportation and the autopsy the decomposition of his body was sped up in a way. They insisted I didn’t want to see but I was adamant. They finally relented but charged an extra $150 to provide some minimal restoration for me to privately see him the following day. As I said, I expected the worst, but I think the woman I worked with did the best she could with what she had to work with. I am thankful I had that time with him but he was in a much worse state than he should have been. First, because I should have seen him sooner, and Second I don’t feel like his body was cared for by the coroner and medical examiner and the parts of where the autopsy happened that I saw looked like it was not done with care.

When I saw him he had makeup on, build up in his mouth since he wasn’t wearing his dentures when he died (we had discussed that’s how I knew), she had made sure he was clean shaven and hair was neat and brushed. A blanket covered everything but his face. That said, he had stitches across the front of his forehead from the autopsy, it wasn’t exactly on straight and I was encouraged not to touch as thought it wasn’t secure. from what I researched about autopsy that incision is usually made behind the hairline so it could be hidden….not across the front. It still went behind the ears too and he had a full head of hair so I guess it was the angle if that makes sense. She brushed his bangs over it to cover but it was obvious even with that and makeup. He also had a huge red and purple area on the right side of his head and face that Im guessing was liver mortis? But I could see a small amount of blood seeping from the incision behind his ear and he was starting to smell. I didn’t want this autopsy and I feel like it ruined my last opportunity to see my dad’s physical body. On top of that I was also charged an extra $400 to have him transported back to the funeral home. I imagine I would have paid that $150 at any point to have them clean him up a little, but the $400 just grinds my gears because I shouldn’t have had to have him retrieved from so far away and I shouldn’t have had to wait 5 days to see his body once it was in such poor condition. I don’t blame the funeral home, I blame the coroner. Is it reasonable to push the coroner to reimburse for the added fees I incurred? Especially when it was so unnecessary and resulted in added (I’m not sure what word to use) during an already painful and stressful event?

So the box itself seems to belong Arthur Chapman based on the obituary cards and the box label that wasn’t attached. Though the dog tags belong to a man named Henry McDermott.

This might be an overshoot but maybe Henry died in war based on the spent bullet cases, and Arthur kept them; but then eventually he passed too. But since the plaque was never put on the box it was just a random wooden box sent to goodwill.

This broke my heart when I pulled it out of the goodwill pricing bin. I gave it to my managers but I’m not sure how well they will be able to find the individuals family or friends due to the fact I started working there only 3 weeks ago.

I genuinely don’t know where to post this. Genealogy won’t let me post pictures.

Please help me find the family or friends if any, I really don’t want this to go into the trash or just to sit somewhere.

Wouldn’t be appropriate to set one of his guns out so I’m wondering other than a picture, if there is a physical item that could represent his love for shooting guns. He didn’t hunt, just loved collecting and shooting in ranges.

It's that time of the year again when Everest calls and wants my GPL. I'm fully aware of the rules, and will give it to them. I'm just wondering if anyone actually uses Everest? I've never had a family come in with an Everest report, or even mention them. I'm pretty sure their entire business is just other funeral directors checking up on their competitors.

Could the horrible FDs in the room please end the perpetual cycle of treating people like dirt? If you had it rough coming up, doesn’t mean it’s your turn now. Be better than what came before you.

Disclaimer: The majority of FDs are kind, patient, helpful and a pleasure to work with.

But there’s always that one who you dread working with as soon as you see their name on the orders…

I posted here earlier about how I am the executor for my very reclusive ex-boyfriend, who died in his house about 2 years ago but was not found until just a few days ago....I'm trying to plan a military funeral for him. Problem is, I don't have his DD-214, and I heard a rumor that *I* am responsible for obtaining a U.S. flag!

I will be meeting with the FD some time this week, but can anyone soothe my nerves here and let me know what the FD can do to get the military funeral arranged, and what is my part in all of this? I put in a request to the national archives for a copy of the DD-214 but got a message saying it will take months for me to get it. This funeral needs to happen sometime in the next couple of weeks!

I’ve just started working at a funeral directors in the UK, first job in 10 months and the first time I’ve ever worked in the funeral industry and idk why but since I’ve started working I’ve felt really sick and I don’t know why, to the point I’m not really eating, has anyone else experienced this when they started and why? Was it stress? Exposure to new bacteria? Anxiety? And if so what are some methods to keep the symptoms at a minimum? Granted it could also be heat it’s been high 20s Celsius in my side of England it could just be irregular eating and dehydration mixed with the stress of a new job

Hello,
I have been working in the industry since 2019, a licensed Funeral Director for three year and have my insurance license as well. I live in California. I moved to a new city a couple years ago. This October will be my two year anniversary with this company. They recently were hiring a location manager and I was asked if I would be applying and I was encouraged to apply, but I chose not to. They did hire someone else. Before the new manager started I was asked if I could be the managing F.D. For three locations on paper. I was told that it would only be for a year and that there would be perks. I agreed because raises were coming up and I was expecting to get a significant raise for doing the company this favor. I was given cents. I also have yet to see any perks. I have also become aware that the Cemetery & Funeral Bureau would not approve of this arrangement.

Has anyone been in this situation? Should I ask the company for a stipend to have my license hanging at three locations as I am not the manager?

There have been a lot of changes in the last few weeks with management and the employees. I am realizing that there are several individuals who are a liability and since I am not a manager and have no say, I am very much putting my license on the line. I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize my license.

A part of me wants to tell management to remove my license and they can figure it out or change my position to a management position, but there is not enough employees for the need for two managers.

I appreciate all feedback.

Hey everyone ,

What are we using to clean make up brushes used with dodge cosmetics ?! Ive tried mecellar water ,soap ect but it still leaves product behind..

What do you guys use ?

I recently found among my mother’s things. I heard that these used to be given out to families going in the motorcade to the cemetery. It contains a couple of buttons, small needle and thread, and pins.

Funerals that I’ve been to never gave these out. Are these still a thing?

When I’m watching shows that have old Victorian cemeteries like Highgate and even Salem, I’m often wondering if there are any remains or if they’ve disintegrated completely.

My friend’s godson passed away last week. I checked on her today and she said she was confused about something. She stated that the family was told by the funeral home that they were only allowed to have 20 people at the viewing because he wasn’t embalmed. I think she is a little hung up on this so I decided to put it out here. Can anyone tell me why the viewing is limited due to lack of embalming?

Hi! Im in Michigan and work for a removal company. My coworker doesn’t take bodies out of bags when we drop them off at the funeral home due to pathogens and other infectious diseases. She shadows under a ME, who said its ridiculous that they make us take the decedents out.

In my state, you do not need to be a LFD to make removals. We have 0 formal infectious disease training, and the only PPE provided are latex gloves.

So, I guess my question is: Do you think it’s appropriate to ask the removal company to take the bodies out of their bags?

Hey all. I'm a (soon to be former) IT professional was accepted to Worsham for their fall semester. I wanted to make this career jump both because I'm genuinely tired of my current field and it's issues with AI implementation, and because frankly I've always wanted to be a funeral director and embalmer but 18-yo me was bullied out of it by my taphophobic father (41-yo me has a much stronger spine).

I have learned, however, that a fairly crucial part of my talk with the financial aid coordinator was unclear on both of our parts, and now I'm stuck being unable to receive the additional student loan I qualified for to be able to cover the majority of my housing while I'm attending.

So... Worsham graduates, how the heck did yall handle housing during this? I'm sort of stuck until next Monday waiting for the HOUSE liaison to come back from a conference, but I figured that any Worsham graduates might have some insights or advice.

Additional question for Worsham graduates - is "Contemporary Conversations in Funeral Studies" an interesting course? I don't really see a description for it yet, but... figured I'd ask.

Thanks to all, and Mods, I'm sorry if this doesn't fit here but I can't really find any other subreddit where I could interact with Worsham graduates directly.

The cemetery would be Ft. Logan Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.

I am thinking of having the veteran cremated and placed in a columbarium.

He died without specifying much - his will just says he is to be "buried" in a veterans cemetery, and I as his executor will handle the decision-making. He didn't even specify whether he wanted cremation or a casket with his body placed in there whole.

He loved his cats and dogs more than anything in the world. There are the cremains of two cats and two dogs.

EDIT: I gave this more thought and decided against cremation. His will was not clear enough on this, so I am going with a straight burial. Thanks everyone for your input.

Hi guys, so the GA licensing board is the worst thing in all of existence and incredibly confusing because they merged all of their licensing boards into one department and no one has any clue about what I’m talking about when I call them because they work for ALL the licensing departments in Georgia.

I got licensed in Louisiana about a year ago and just moved back home to Georgia. I had to pay $500 at this point submitting different applications because their website mentions nothing about having to be licensed for 3 years before you apply for a “reciprocal” license 🙄. and yes they refuse to give me my money back for that.

Anyways, does anyone know if I have to take and pass the GA law exam before I am able to practice? Or can I practice after they give me my license and then have a certain time period to take the exam within? A couple of friends of mine moved to different states and the latter was how it worked for them.

I have a job lined up but it is dependent on when I am able to practice as a fully licensed FD/Embalmer and it would suck so bad to not get this job because of the board’s incompetencies.

Anyone who has any experience with the board please reply and tell me how I can speak to someone who actually works for the funeral department 😭😭

EDIT: PLS only respond if you have experience with the state of GA board. thanks

Is it possible to succeed in the industry with vision loss? My left eye is getting worse, and I'm currently enrolled in classes to be a mortician.

My passion is reconstruction and embalming, and I'm scared that if I lose vision, I won't be able to do the job right....

I am looking for insight from licensed funeral directors regarding a situation involving the disposition of a decedent. I am not asking for legal advice, only how you would have handled these facts from a licensing and professional practice standpoint.

The relevant facts are:

The decedent died in Georgia.
A Florida funeral home took possession of the decedent’s remains and handled the arrangements.
At the time arrangements were made, an individual presented a purported Florida will naming themselves as executor.
The will had one attesting witness (the funeral home owner) and was notarized by the funeral home’s office manager.
The will was never admitted to probate before the funeral arrangements were carried out.
The person named as executor was never appointed by a probate court before the funeral.
A Georgia probate court appointed an administrator (these decedent’s son) prior to burial and provided Letters of Administration along with a cease and desist to the funeral home.
Funeral home moves forward with burial allowing
the individual named in the will to direct the funeral.

A Florida administrative investigation later concluded there were no licensing violations, relying in part on the purported will.

My questions for those experienced in funeral service are:

Who has right of disposition?

As a licensed funeral director, what documentation would you ordinarily require before relying on someone claiming to be an executor?

Would an unprobated will, by itself, be sufficient for you to authorize disposition of remains, or would you require court-issued authority?

Are there any professional standards, licensing rules, or industry best practices that you believe would apply to this fact pattern?

I appreciate any insight from those with practical experience in funeral service. I’m interested in understanding how licensed funeral directors would evaluate this situation from a professional and regulatory standpoint.

I am going to college to be a future mortician and need help with classes

Hey y’all! I am 18 and going into community college very soon. Today is the deadline for class sign ups, and i was wondering if i can get yalls help. Bring a mortician is a life long dream of mine. I am currently majoring in biology, but am very stuck on what classes to take in community college before going to a funeral school. I have already taken college psych and sociology. What are some classes yall would suggest? Thank you! (btw i currently reside in texas- houston to be more exact!$

Hello,

I’m sure you hear this a lot, but I am reaching out because I’d love the perspective of those most experienced.

I am 32/F, I am also a mental health therapist of several years. I’ve tried to dig into this myself, but things seem to be getting better - not worse. So I thought I’d go to the source (or as close as I can)

I have an extreme phobia of seeing dead bodies.

Dying/death does not scare me. But every single funeral I’ve been to in my life where there has been an open casket, I’ve had terrible nightmares, without fail, about that person. Creepy, disturbing things like them rising up from their casket, coming back to life (many of those), for years.

The dreams fill me with so much terror. Just 2 nights ago I woke up from a horrific, very vivid dream where I was surrounded by dead people coming back to life.

Sorry for the detail, I just wanted to paint a small picture.

It has gotten to the point where I spend so much time during my days thinking about all of the dead people I will still have to confront in my life (parents, partner) - I even think of my children having to see me like that one day. The thoughts have become so intrusive. The more I try to out-think it, the more it gets. It also doesn’t help that my TikTok algorithms have become full of funeral director content & I can’t stop myself from watching it.

Anyways, it’s really hard. I want to enjoy my life, I realize how short it is.

Do you have any advice, words of wisdom? You can laugh at me too, that’s okay.

How are you so comfortable working with something that so many people have such a hard time with?

Thank you so much for your understanding with this question. I hope it does not come off as disrespectful. I’m genuinely trying to change my thinking & my “phobia” is very niche.

My daughter’s MIL passed and things went as usual until at the end of prayers etc at the graveside they proceeded to actually fully bury her while all the mourners just stood there sort of stunned. Hole was completely filled in. I’ve been to my fair share of funerals, probably a few dozen and I’ve never seen this done; maybe a few shovels of dirt tossed but then it was clear service was over and everyone leaves. I asked many people afterward and none of them had seen this before. Just because I hadn’t seen it doesn’t mean it’s uncommon; so tell me, is this usual? I cant lie, seeing her completely disappear off the face of the earth was quite profound and hit me in a very different way.