Featured items

There are no featured items on this page

Return to page navigation menu

Funeral Director/Embalmer - Personal requirements

Kaihautū/Kaiwhakapaipai Tūpāpaku

Skills & knowledge

Funeral directors/embalmers need to have:

knowledge of legal issues relating to death
knowledge of health issues relating to handling deceased people
knowledge of human anatomy
knowledge of embalming and how to prepare a body for burial
knowledge of various religious ceremonies, and differences in cultural and religious beliefs about the human body
knowledge of human behaviour, and the ability to relate to people and put them at ease
budgeting and business management skills
knowledge of desktop publishing
good communication skills.

Chemicals and medical equipment are used in the embalming process

Andrea Kimber lifting a stretcher from a hearse

Personal Qualities

Funeral directors/embalmers need to be:

mature and responsible
concerned for others
patient and tactful
organised, and good at planning
accurate, with an eye for detail
practical
punctual
able to keep information private
able to relate to people from a range of cultures and backgrounds.

It is also important that funeral directors/embalmers are not squeamish.

"You have to be professional and able to support people. It's a job that deals with a lot of emotion, and you are looking after families at a time when they are looking for guidance. It’s up to you to reassure them as well as help them to plan the funeral."

Lyndon Hope - Funeral Director/Embalmer

Physical Requirements

Funeral directors/embalmers need to have a tidy appearance, and should be reasonably fit as they often have to transport bodies and caskets. They should also not be allergic to formaldehyde or gluteraldehyde, the two chemicals used in embalming.