Health and science
Embalmer
To preserve, sanitise and present a deceased person, ensuring confidentiality, minimising risks to public heath and assisting the bereaved by contributing to a healthy grieving process.
Summary
This occupation is found in the death care industry, typically within funeral organisations. Embalmers may be employed by an organisation or self-employed trade. The broad purpose of the occupation is to preserve, prepare and present a deceased person, minimising risks to public heath and assisting the bereaved by contributing to a healthy grieving process. In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with internal and external stakeholders, for example the deceased, families, clients, funeral branches, doctors, crematoria, cemeteries, care homes, nursing homes, hospitals, hospices, coroners, mortuary technicians. An employee in this occupation will be responsible for respectful and dignified care of the deceased and safe working practises within the area of work. Embalmers are responsible for verifying the completion of all necessary documentation prior to carrying out an embalming, carrying out embalming and the practical application of expertise and theoretical knowledge of embalming on a case-by-case basis to provide the best possible care to the deceased and experience to their families. Embalmers often work alone or with the assistance of a mortuary technician in a sterile theatre attached to a funeral home or in a standalone mortuary. Under normal circumstances they work set hours but in exceptional circumstances, for example in the case of a flu epidemic, they may have to work unsociable hours in order to meet the industry demands.
Typical job titles include
- Embalmer
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
K1:
Industry standards, regulations and legislation, where to access information and how to implement in your work
K2:
Organisational policies, protocols and procedures for embalmers and the embalming cases they perform.
K3:
The procedures for ordering supplies and use of preferred suppliers
K4:
Required stock levels for embalming consumables and sundries in line with scope of practice including management of stock levels
K5:
Dealing with incidents and accidents in the embalming theatre
K6:
Implications of variations in size and weight of the deceased on the embalming process
K7:
How to act within own scope of practice and who to escalate any issues to
K8:
Specific needs of clients, the deceased person or next of kin e.g. religious, cultural, age, gender requirements and the restrictions these may impose on the embalming process
K9:
Products, methods and equipment for effective post-embalming cleaning, sterilisation and disinfection including the management of general and hazardous waste
K10:
The importance of choosing the appropriate methods and tools for communicating with all stakeholders, clients or colleagues adapting style and technique to suit the specific situation
K11:
The importance of keeping up-to-date with embalming knowledge, techniques and equipment and how to research this information
K12:
Coaching and mentoring techniques
K13:
History of embalming, the reasons for modern embalming, the psychological implications of death and the role of the embalmer.
K14:
How cytology, histology, microbiology and pathology apply to the embalming process
K15:
Requirements for the safe use, dilution, storage, contact time, protective personal equipment and mixing of chemicals and disinfectants in embalming
K16:
Constituents and properties of embalming fluids and chemical terminology in embalming
K17:
How an embalming theatre is designed including temperature control and ventilation, equipment, instruments and consumables and how to use them safely during the embalming process
K18:
Anatomy and physiology relevant to the embalming process
K19:
Systems in the body that impact the embalming process
K20:
Natural changes and stages that occur after death and how they impact on embalming
K21:
Pre-embalming operational techniques and procedures for adult and child autopsy and non-autopsy cases
K22:
Embalming operational techniques and procedures for autopsy or non-autopsy cases, in relation to the contextual requirements of the deceased person e.g. adult or child
K23:
Pre embalming of special conditions, for autopsy or non-autopsy cases in relation to the contextual requirements of the deceased person e.g. adult or child
K24:
Post embalming operational techniques and procedures for autopsy or non-autopsy cases, in relation to the contextual requirements of the deceased person e.g. adult or child
K25:
Systems and technology that supports embalming case recording
K26:
Key requirements, information and correct process for how and when to complete a risk assessment in the embalming workplace
Technical Educational Products
- ST0890: Embalmer (Level 5) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0890
- Status:
Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £27,921 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 6138 Undertakers, mortuary and crematorium assistants
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 6138/03 Embalmers
S1:
Carry out pre embalming operational techniques for autopsy or non-autopsy cases in relation to the contextual requirements of the deceased person e.g. adult or child
S2:
Carry out embalming operational techniques and procedures for autopsy or non-autopsy cases, in relation to the contextual requirements of the deceased person e.g. adult or child
S3:
Carry out pre embalming of special conditions operational techniques and procedures for autopsy or non-autopsy cases in relation to the contextual requirements of the deceased person e.g. adult or child
S4:
Carry out post embalming operational techniques and procedures for autopsy or non-autopsy cases, in relation to the contextual requirements of the deceased person e.g. adult or child
S5:
Apply local standard operating procedures to embalming activities including monitoring and maintaining the safety and hygienic condition of the embalming theatre and equipment
S6:
Manage and monitor the repair and replacement of damaged equipment in the embalming theatre
S7:
Ensure the embalming theatre is safe and ready to use
S8:
Manage, order and monitor stock rotation and control in line with organisational requirements
S9:
Carry out audit planning and reporting in accordance with scope of practice
S10:
Ensure that the correct identification of the deceased and recording of personal effects has been carried out in accordance with local standard operating procedures and report any anomalies
S11:
Undertake the deceased person or their next of kin instructions, following conditions pertaining to religious and cultural requirements, cause of death, infection risk, funeral date and any further information that may impact the embalming process
S12:
Complete risk assessments on equipment and embalming room environment as per local standard operating procedures
S13:
Remove from the deceased, safely dispose of or return soiled items according to legislation and local standard operating procedures
S14:
Adapt workload based on initial assessment of the deceased, business and client requirements, timescales and in collaboration with the wider team
S15:
Adapt methods and styles of communication to suit the needs of individuals
S16:
Ensure all legal and organisational paperwork is completed, reporting any risks and discrepancies where appropriate
S17:
Manage, monitor and carry out cleaning schedule in line with local standard operating procedures, reporting risks and issues, escalating where appropriate
S18:
Manage the standard of care within the embalming theatre challenging inappropriate behaviour and practice, identifying training needs and reporting where appropriate
S19:
Role model best practice and actively seek out areas for continuous professional and personal development
S20:
Use technology safely and securely when using, recording and storing embalming case data and information related to the deceased and clients in line with the General Data Protection Regulation requirements, and standard operating procedures
S21:
Safe use, mixing and handling of chemicals and disinfectants when completing embalming processes
Technical Educational Products
- ST0890: Embalmer (Level 5) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0890
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £27,921 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 6138 Undertakers, mortuary and crematorium assistants
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 6138/03 Embalmers
B1:
Professional, respectful and considerate of the diverse needs of individuals
B2:
Treat colleagues, clients and the deceased with dignity, empathy and sensitivity at all times
B3:
Be adaptable, resilient, flexible and able to multi-task
B4:
Adopt critical thinking to judge situations and solve problems as they arise
Technical Educational Products
- ST0890: Embalmer (Level 5) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0890
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £27,921 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 6138 Undertakers, mortuary and crematorium assistants
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 6138/03 Embalmers
