Mortuary science

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mortuary science is the study of dead bodies through mortuary work. Those who study mortuary science usually take up careers as morticians or funeral directors. Many also study embalming to supplement their mortuary science studies. Some states require funeral directors to be embalmers as well. Often the decision to study mortuary science comes before attending college.[1]

Contents

[edit] History

Funeral directing can first unofficially be seen in ancient times; it is not something new. Most famous is the Egyptians who embalmed their dead. Pre-20th century, funeral directing “never attained the legitimacy of more developed occupations like law or medicine.”[2] But because many funeral directors study embalming in addition to their mortuary science studies, they can be classified in the medical field.[3]

Funeral directors gained a high statues that peaked in the 1950s but soon declined in the 1960s and 1970s as bad publicity and police investigations corrupted the reputation of funeral homes.[4] Today, though, funeral homes are seen as a necessity. The mortality rate exists and each city needs a mortician. But according to Occupational Outlook Handbook, the “employment of funeral directors is projected to increase more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2014.”[5]

A more descriptive history on funeral practices can be found in The History of American Funeral Directing.[6]

[edit] Training

Requirements for getting a degree differs by school and by state. Those wishing to become funeral directors have other requirements that usually include 2 years of college (including studies in mortuary science), be an apprentice for one year, and pass an exam.[7]

College degrees in mortuary science last usually 2 to 4 years.[8] Some community and junior colleges offer 2 year programs while universities can offer both 2 or 4 year programs.[9] Classes typically include “anatomy, physiology, pathology, embalming techniques, restorative art, business management” and more.[10] Therefore, if high school students are planning on majoring in mortuary science, it is suggested they take biology, anatomy, and other science classes, as well as public speaking and debate classes, since funeral directors have to be personable and good speakers as they work with their grief-stricken clients.[11]

More than thirty states have schools that offer mortuary science programs. Illinois, Mississippi, and Texas have four schools that do; New York has five. [12]

Indiana offers mortuary school through the following: Mid-America College of Funeral Service in Jeffersonville, Indiana, Vincennes University in Vincennes, Indiana and Ivy Tech Community College through both the Gary and Indianapolis campus.

[edit] Disadvantages

Mortuary science can bring pressure and stress upon students. According to Spencer E. Cahill, a student who participated in Mortuary Science classes for a research paper, students also experience pressure and odd questions and looks from other college mates.[13] They become shunned by other students and associate only with other mortuary science students.[14] They become desensitized as human bodies they work with are no longer seen as humans, but as “an interconnected system of arteries and veins.”[15] As Cahill reports, students often explain that the first time was the hardest, but that they’ve gotten used to it, but the smell’s the worst.[16] Seeing it is not that bad because as one of his classmates said, “The sight, you’ve probably seen worst [sic] things on television.”[17]

Mortuary science students are also subject to diseases. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, morticians often work with cadavers that are infectious “but the possibility of infection is remote if strict health regulations are follow.”[18] They are also subject to formaldehyde exposure during embalming procedures.[19] But that, too, can be helped with strict health regulations.

But the only downsides are not physical. There are emotional hardships with becoming a mortuary science student as well. Some students working with Cahill stated that cases with children were hard.[20] But for some, the emotional issues are not affecting. One student stated, “What we do is far less depressing than what nurses and doctors do. We only get the body after the death and do not have to watch all the suffering.”[21] In some senses, this is true, but the hardships and emotional, physical, and mental strains account for students dropping out of the program.[22]

[edit] Benefits of studying mortuary science and career options

Those who apply their studies in mortuary science and become morticians also end up taking business management classes. This is because “Funeral directors… are responsible for the success and profitability of their businesses.”[23] According to David L. Torres in the American Sociological Review, “The funeral industry is significantly different from [other] industries.”[24] Twenty percent of funeral business is made up of individual businesses owned by morticians.[25] Their niche is created by the number of deaths per year. Because of the need for funeral homes in most cities in every state, many establishments thrive and competition grows.[26]

Establishing a funeral home, if someone has a degree, isn’t too hard in some states. In some cities, “licensing of a funeral home may include only the payment of a fee for registration” or requires notification and an inspection of the home.[27]

Funeral home usually include: Wake room: for services and visitations; Preparation room: for embalming and restoration; Merchandise display: to display caskets, and other merchandise that customers need to buy; Privacy room: for the family; Office: for your personal use and the running of the business; Livery: to keep hearses and other vehicles[28]

Funeral homes are usually open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.[29] Hours are long and unstable, stress is high, and emotions can be difficult to control.[30]

[edit] External links

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Cahill p. 109-111
  2. ^ Torres p. 382
  3. ^ Torres p. 383
  4. ^ Torres p. 382
  5. ^ Bureau
  6. ^ Habenstein, Robert W. and William M. Lamers
  7. ^ Bureau
  8. ^ Bureau
  9. ^ Bureau
  10. ^ Bureau
  11. ^ Bureau
  12. ^ "Directory of Mortuary Schools in the United States"
  13. ^ Cahill p. 105
  14. ^ Cahill p. 106
  15. ^ Cahill p. 106
  16. ^ Cahill p. 108
  17. ^ Cahill p. 108
  18. ^ Bureau
  19. ^ Suruda et al.
  20. ^ Cahill p. 109
  21. ^ Cahill p. 109
  22. ^ Cahill p. 108
  23. ^ Bureau
  24. ^ Torres p. 382
  25. ^ Bureau
  26. ^ Torres p. 384
  27. ^ Torres p. 388, as quoting Roger D. Blackwell
  28. ^ Torres p. 384
  29. ^ Bureau
  30. ^ Bureau

[edit] References

  • Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Funeral Directors, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos11.htm (visited November 21, 2007).
  • Cahill, Spencer E. “Emotional Capital and Professional Socialization: The Case of Mortuary Science.” Social Psychology Quarterly, Vol. 62, No. 2, Special Issue: Qualitative Contributions to Social Psychology. (Jun., 1999), pp. 101-116.
  • “Directory of Mortuary Schools in the United States.” On the Internet at http://www.mortuaryschools.com (visited November 21, 2007). Copyright 2005.
  • Habenstein, Robert W. and William M. Lamers. The History of American Funeral Directing. Bulfin Printers; Milwaukee, WI, 1962.
  • Suruda, Anthony et al. “Cytogenic Effects of Formaldehyde Exposure in Students of Mortuary Science.” Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, & Prevention, Vol. 2 (September/October, 1993), pp. 453-460.
  • Torres, David L. “Professionalism, Variation, and Organizational Survival.” American Sociological Review, Vol. 53, No. 3 (Jun., 1988), pp. 380-394.