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Embalmers - 39-4011.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Prepare bodies for interment in conformity with legal requirements.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Embalmer
  • Licensed Embalmer
  • Trade Embalmer

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Apply cosmetics to impart lifelike appearance to the deceased.
  • Arrange for transporting the deceased to another state for interment.
  • Arrange funeral home equipment and perform general maintenance.
  • Assist coroners at death scenes or at autopsies, file police reports, and testify at inquests or in court, if employed by a coroner.
  • Assist with placing caskets in hearses and organize cemetery processions.
  • Attach trocar to pump-tube, start pump, and repeat probing to force embalming fluid into organs.
  • Clean and disinfect areas in which bodies are prepared and embalmed.
  • Close incisions, using needles and sutures.
  • Conduct interviews to arrange for the preparation of obituary notices, to assist with the selection of caskets or urns, and to determine the location and time of burials or cremations.
  • Conform to laws of health and sanitation and ensure that legal requirements concerning embalming are met.
  • Direct casket and floral display placement and arrange guest seating.
  • Dress bodies and place them in caskets.
  • Incise stomach and abdominal walls and probe internal organs, using trocar, to withdraw blood and waste matter from organs.
  • Insert convex celluloid or cotton between eyeballs and eyelids to prevent slipping and sinking of eyelids.
  • Join lips, using needles and thread or wire.
  • Maintain records, such as itemized lists of clothing or valuables delivered with body and names of persons embalmed.
  • Make incisions in arms or thighs and drain blood from circulatory system and replace it with embalming fluid, using pump.
  • Pack body orifices with cotton saturated with embalming fluid to prevent escape of gases or waste matter.
  • Perform special procedures necessary for remains that are to be transported to other states or overseas, or where death was caused by infectious disease.
  • Perform the duties of funeral directors, including coordinating funeral activities.
  • Press diaphragm to evacuate air from lungs.
  • Remove the deceased from place of death and transport to funeral home.
  • Reshape or reconstruct disfigured or maimed bodies when necessary, using dermasurgery techniques and materials such as clay, cotton, plaster of Paris, and wax.
  • Serve as pallbearers, attend visiting rooms, and provide other assistance to the bereaved.
  • Supervise funeral attendants and other funeral home staff.
  • Wash and dry bodies, using germicidal soap and towels or hot air dryers.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Apply cleansing or conditioning agents to client hair, scalp, or skin.
  • Apply decorative or textured finishes or coverings.
  • Apply makeup to alter or enhance appearance.
  • Arrange items for use or display.
  • Assist practitioners to perform medical procedures.
  • Clean facilities or equipment.
  • Clean work areas.
  • Collect information from people through observation, interviews, or surveys.
  • Direct funeral or mortuary activities.
  • Embalm corpses.
  • File documents or records.
  • Handle caskets.
  • Maintain client information or service records.
  • Monitor operations to ensure compliance with safety or security policies or regulations.
  • Perform basic equipment maintenance.
  • Supervise service workers.
  • Testify at legal or legislative proceedings.
  • Transport biological or other medical materials.

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Dental Assistant (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Craftsman, Dental Hygienist (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Journeyman, Dental Hygienist (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Craftsman, Health Information Technology (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Journeyman, Health Information Technology (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Technician (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Hospital Corpsman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Medical Administration Specialty (Coast Guard - Warrant Officer only)
  • Mortician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Mortuary Affairs Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Personnel Retrieval and Processing Officer (Marine Corps - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Personnel Retrieval and Processing Specialist (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Personnel Retrieval and Processing Technician (Marine Corps - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

  • Embalmer (Per Ser)

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Embalmer
  • Embalmer Apprentice