Should mortician be a “most feared” profession?

Career Builder recently published a list of the jobs that Americans fear the most. We weren’t too surprised to see that morticians made the list since hearing the term conjures up all sorts of preconceived ideas that are based largely on what we’ve seen on TV or film or stories we’ve heard passed along.

Mortician was ranked at number 7, just behind crime scene investigator and animal trainer. We’re not sure if working in the funeral industry deserves to be ranked that high, but here are the numbers.

7. Mortician: There are 27,505 mortician, undertaker and funeral director jobs in the U.S.
Median hourly pay: $22.83
Scary for those who fear: Dead bodies; silence; zombie attacks.

Read the full story: CareerBuilder Releases List of 10 Jobs American Workers Fear Most

It’s true that being a funeral director or mortician can be a difficult and round-the-clock job. It requires specialized skills and training as well as a special set of personal traits. Not the least of the traits that successful morticians and funeral directors possess is the ability to deal with death, dying, and grief on a daily basis.

“If you’re dealing with the death of a child or there are particularly tragic circumstances, arranging a funeral with the family can be challenging. Even when I’m on the verge of tears, I have to remind myself that my day is not as bad as this person’s day.

“It doesn’t get any easier and there are a couple of times a year where no matter how much you do to ensure the funeral goes ahead as smoothly and as well as possible, you feel helpless once you’re done.

Read the full story: What’s life really like as a funeral director?

But for those who choose this career, it is much more than a job. It’s a life calling. Fearing it is unlikely ever to enter these special professional’s minds.

“I look at it as helping folks during the worst time in their lives,” he said. “We’re taking care of someone that was precious and dear to them, someone they were married to for 60 or more years, or their parents who’ve been in their lives. That’s someone’s loved one – they’re not a piece of furniture. They’re not an object.”

Read the full story: A Day in the Life of a Funeral Director (Aiken Standard)

Read more on what it’s like to be a mortician or funeral director.

• Morticians Talk About What’s Tough and Why it’s Almost a Calling
• Being a funeral director may sound grim, but your work is much appreciated
• A Day in the Life of a Funeral Director (Pray Funeral)
• A Day in the Life of a Funeral Director (Times Bulletin)
• 150 Things Most Consumers Don’t Know A Funeral Director Does

What’s the difference between a funeral director and a mortician?

• In general, the terms funeral director and mortician are used interchangeably. These professionals are involved in preparing a body for interment (either in-ground or cremation) and planning and arranging the funeral ceremony. Though we don’t typically hear it used today, another term for the profession is undertaker.
• One distinction that is sometimes made is that a funeral director is more likely to own the funeral home. In some cases, a mortician will actually spend time working with the dead since the funeral director may need to spend more time dealing with the day-to-day activities of the funeral home.