Embalmer

Career path and progression

With experience you could:

• become self employed and work independently with several funeral directors
• do further training to specialise in HIV or tuberculosis or join a team responding to disasters
• become a funeral director

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• sensitivity and understanding
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• customer service skills
• the ability to work well with your hands
• physical skills like movement, coordination and dexterity
• a desire to help people
• the ability to use your initiative
• knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You might need vaccinations to be an embalmer.

As a minimum, your employer should offer you vaccinations against hepatitis, tetanus and tuberculosis.

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Chemistry - Embalmers work with preservative chemicals on a daily basis, replacing bodily fluids with formaldehyde-based solutions and using disinfectants to prepare bodies. Understanding chemical reactions, safe handling of hazardous substances, and how different chemicals interact is essential to doing this work safely and effectively.
• Biology - Embalmers need a thorough understanding of human anatomy to locate blood vessels, remove fluids and gases, and restore the natural appearance of a body. Knowledge of how the body decomposes and how diseases like HIV and tuberculosis are transmitted is also critical for their safety and the quality of their work.
• Art and Design - Embalmers restore the appearance of bodies, which can include applying make-up, styling hair, and reconstructing features after injury. A good eye for colour, texture, and natural-looking results helps them present the deceased in a way that brings comfort to families.

Also relevant

• Religious Studies - Embalmers work with families from many different faiths and cultural backgrounds, each with specific customs and expectations around death and burial. Understanding these traditions – such as how quickly a burial should take place or whether embalming is permitted – helps them carry out their work respectfully.
• Psychology - Embalmers interact with bereaved families and need to show sensitivity and emotional understanding during an extremely difficult time. Knowledge of grief, loss, and how people process emotions helps them communicate with care and manage their own emotional wellbeing in a demanding role.
• Design and Technology - Embalmers use a range of specialist tools and equipment and need strong practical skills, including manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination. The hands-on, problem-solving nature of Design and Technology – working carefully with materials and tools to achieve a precise result – translates directly to this work.
• Business - Embalmers often become self-employed, working independently with several funeral directors. Understanding how to manage finances, build professional relationships, and run a small business is valuable for those who want to work for themselves in this field.