"If she wasn't dead I'd borrow her shoes..."

Mortuary Science

2007-12-15T16:38:19Z

Since my last post I have decided that I would like to go to school for mortuary science. I'm currently researching schools in the New England area and the mid east coast (nothing further south than Virginia.) My preference, however, is for New England.
In my searchings I found Briarwood College. I was wondering if anyone knows anything about this school and their mortuary science program? Also, are there any schools that are particularly recommended, preferably in the reigon I've mentioned?

Hello

2007-11-29T15:42:15Z

Hi there! Just wanted to introduce myself, seeing as how I just joined. My name is Amy, I am 25 and live in New York. I have an AA in Graphic Design as well as a BA in US History and Art. I started working towards my degree in Mortuary Sciences last year and honestly I couldn't be happier. I have no family in the profession, but it was something I always felt I wanted to do. I was discouraged a lot from people I knew hence the other degrees ( though I am glad I have them!) But now that I am doing this, I *feel* like I should be doing it, if that makes any sense!

Since I don't know many people who are interested in this field, I thought this would be a nice place to find some people to chat with.

So....HI!

-Amy :)

The ex moderator here

2007-11-09T01:45:45Z

So I came across this community when I was browsing through El-Jay interests. I realized that myself and another (lovely lady who has since left livejournal-land) had made this community back when we were in mortuary school. I basically forgot about the community because very few people joined and it was never updated. Then I changed my livejournal name and subsequently the old journal (which had moderator status of this community) was deleted.

Apparently this community has since flourished!
This is great but it also means that there are no moderators....

Hopefully you all have been good and are nice to each other!!! I will try to do some catching up on posting.
---------------------------------------------------------
I suppose I should introduce myself for those who don't know me.
My name is AmY and I am from Maryland. I graduated from mortuary school in 04, (had good grades and NBE scores- if anyone needs pointers I would be glad to give them) lived in a funeral home while serving my apprenticeship, hated it, got my mortician's license and then left the industry. I now work for a tissue bank and travel all over the state of maryland harvesting human bones, skin, tendons, heart valves, and veins for transplantation purposes. I also get to go to the medical examiners office once and awhile and sometimes I do stuff with kidneys. It's a great job and I love it but the hours are wacky and physically demanding. So I'm considering going to grad school to become a pathologists assistant because I loved path and micro class in mortuary school.

Anyway, I am here to answer any questions people might have about the deathcare industry, and death in general and I hope to learn things from people here as well!

morgue attendants and related jobs

2007-10-26T22:04:47Z

Hello. I just joined because I have a few qestions about applying for morgue jobs.
I do not have a college education as of yet, but I am interested in morgue work. I did some research on the internet and found that morgue attendants only need a high school diploma. however, they also seem to need 2-4 years prior experience (according to one website). So my question is, how does one go about applying for a job in a morgue with only a high school diploma? What sorts of jobs are available? And who should I call to inquire about such a job?

makeupinmourges @ 2007-09-08T23:06:00

2007-09-09T03:07:10Z

I'm not entirely sure where to begin looking for information, but this seemed like a good place.

I've been very interested in headstones and statuary in cemeteries and have decided recently (after discovering I have a bit of a knack for sculpting) that it is something I'd like to pursue.

(Actually, I was walking around today and it occured to me - "Someone has to make those things" and it would be something I would enjoy far far more than teaching, which is my direction at the moment.)

If any of you have any information of a school or somewhere I could go to learn how to do this or get started I would very much appreciate it.

Apologies if you see this cross-posted all over the place.

Radio Golgotha - News & Upcoming Events

2007-09-03T00:49:03Z

It has been an incredible first month. We have had hundreds of unique listeners
tune in from as far away as Finland, Canada, Hong Kong and dozens from our home
base in Tampa, FL. We are particularly happy to welcome out German visitors
which have made up almost 20% of our listenership. Now that we have stablized
some of the technical launch issues, we will continue to add to our library of albums
so that there will new music in rotation everyday including some smaller, but very
interesting regional talent.

We also have new sets from DJ Devious, Maus and DJ Xanthus set to premiere
next week. In the next few months, we'll continue this trend with the programming
shifting towards more Djs, more often. You'll hear club sets from England, Germany
and all over the US.

Thanks for your continuous support!!

-Radio Golgotha Staff
www.radiogolgotha.com

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wednesday 9/5/2007 3:00 PM EST
Set Debut
Senor Dick is back with new set and asks Where is the Youth? It's not what you are thinking...

Sunday 9/9/2007 2:00 PM EST

Set Debut
Artificial is the name of this set by DJ Maus. Avoid the Sunday drivers and tune-in to this Electro-Pop set. Turn it up for a perfect backdrop for those Sunday chores.

Newbie!

2007-08-25T06:34:51Z

Just wanted to say hello to everyone!

I started my mortuary science program at Cypress College in California and I'm looking forward to absorbing this business and I hope to have many experiences to share with you all.

My first week of school was instense but I loved it. I've been waiting for 2 years to start the program and I'm glad I'm finally here.

So that's my story....Take Care!!

Radio Golgotha - Streaming LIVE

2007-08-12T21:23:01Z

The newest and hottest Gothic & Industrial radio station is finally
streaming live for your listening delight!

Radio Golgotha is an ongoing project with new Djs, a new Music section
and photo gallery as well as an updated chat room on the near horizon.

Whether you'll listen while updating your myspace/facebook profile,
writing your dissertation or slaying virtual dragons, you can find your
soundtrack here.

Check it out, and bookmark it!

www.radiogolgotha.com
www.myspace.com/radiogolgotha - add us for event info!

Your ears will thank you for it.

makeupinmourges @ 2007-03-30T12:31:00

2007-03-30T17:33:18Z

Funeral director faces charges
Posted: Saturday, Mar 17, 2007 - 12:45:11 am CDT

By Rasmieyh Abdelnabi
Daily News staff writer

A Beloit funeral director is facing criminal charges on both sides of the state line.

Frank Lance Bifulk, 47, of Beloit, was also reprimanded by the Funeral Director Examining Board of Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing for verbally abusing a chief deputy coroner and a descendant's family. According to the department, Bifulk was allegedly verbally abusive toward a family while making arrangements for funeral services.

Bifulk was arrested March 6 in Madison for allegedly passing counterfeit bills at two Madison area businesses. He was arrested at the Eastgate Cinema, 5202 High Crossing Blvd., after attempting to use a phony $100 bill. He was held at the Dane County Jail until Friday, when he was released on a signature bond.

&amp;lt;a href="http://media.fastclick.net/w/click.here?sid=14746&amp;amp;m=6&amp;amp;c=1" target="_top"&amp;gt; &amp;lt;img src="http://media.fastclick.net/w/get.media?sid=14746&amp;amp;m=6&amp;amp;tp=8&amp;amp;d=s&amp;amp;c=1" width=300 height=250 border=1&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;

Police discovered 14 sheets of counterfeit $20, $50 and $100 bills in Bifulk's vehicle and a box of $100 bills at his business, according to reports.

Bifulk faces two counts of forgery. He is scheduled to appear in the Dane County Court at 10:30 a.m. March 22. At this hearing the Dane County District Attorney's Office will decide if it will pursue a case against Bifulk.

He could face federal as well as state charges, and a maximum of $20,000 in fines or 12 years in prison.

Just across the state line in Winnebago County in Illinois, Bifulk faces two counts of aggravated battery toward an officer and resisting an officer. He was charged on Sept. 20. A plea hearing in this matter is set for 1:30 p.m. April 25.

makeupinmourges @ 2007-02-05T12:33:00

2007-02-05T20:35:17Z

Hello! I posted back in August, I believe, asking questions about how to get started on school and how to get experience and all that. I'm still a senior in high school, but I'll be graduating in June, and I have decided that I would like to persue mortuary science after I get more experience as a cosmetologist. I'm not going to wait 10 years or anything like that, but I'm not going to start school immediately after graduation.
A question I do have, though, is about calling funeral directors for interviews. It has been recommended to me to ask questions and get as much information as possible from people in the business, and I was just wondering what your general experiences were with this. What I mean to say is, are funeral directors and/or embalmers generally open to talk about what they do for a living and to give information, or do they consider questions intrusive? Are they often willing to give interviews? What is a good way to go about scheduling one? And if you have ever done so, what are some questions you asked?

And another thing, today I checked out the book Death To Dust from the library, and there's a chapter about the people that work as embalmers and funeral directors, and there is one paragraph that says that the American Board of Funeral Service Education recommends an associate's degree be the minimum academic requirement for licensure, and industry educators believe a bachelor's degree should be required. It also says that fewer than 5% have only a high school diploma when entering school.
If anyone doesn't mind me asking, what sort of education did you have when you entered school? Did anyone here only have a high school diploma?

Thanks so much for any help!

makeupinmourges @ 2007-01-16T14:56:00

2007-01-16T21:02:06Z

Just a couple of questions for those who don't mind answering....

1. How hard was it for you to find an apprenticeship if you served it after graduation from mortuary school?

2. Were you hired on as a director at the firm you served your apprenticeship at? If not, why?

3. How was your experience as an apprentice? Did the directors shit on you or actually let you do things?

X-posted to a few communities, sorry if you have to see it twice.

Newbie

2007-01-15T15:08:20Z

Hello all,

I wanted to say "Hi" and introduce myself. I'm Faith, and I'm starting at Worsham College of Mortuary Science near Chicago in March. I've been working at a funeral home in Rockford, IL for the past year and will continue to do so while in school.

I'd love to add as many of you to my journal as would like and be added back - I would love to have others in the business as LJ friends.

So glad to see this community!

Faith

makeupinmourges @ 2007-01-03T00:40:00

2007-01-03T05:42:36Z

I'm a senior in highschool planning on moving to Chicago, IL in the fall.
I'm absolutely lost as to what I should be doing for continuing my education.
I want to be an embalmer.

Do you know of any schools I should be looking into in the Chicago area?
I know Malcolm X has a mortuary science program, but I have no clue what good that will do me.

Any help would be amazing; I'm so lost.

your fairly average curious newbie's questions

2006-12-30T17:55:16Z

Hello all. I'm very happy to have found this community. :-)

I'm strongly considering going into funeral services, to become a funeral director and embalmer. I do, however, have some (all right, a lot of) questions, and figured the only way to get them answered was to go to the people already in the field.

First, how did you get into the field? I've been told that it's very hard to find a job unless you're already in the family business. Is this true?

Secondly, just how bad is sexism in the work place? Will potential job opportunities be affected simply because I'm a woman?

I've read some of the posts throughout this community, and I've seen numerous complaints about how low the pay is. Now, I've done some research on my own, and the pay seems reasonable. (I live in New Jersey, and would be looking for employment in NJ or Pennsylvania, most likely.) If I wanted to be rich, I'd be looking into another field. :-) All I want is to be able to support myself and be semi-comfortable. Has this been possible, once you've become full-time employees?

And lastly, how much of an affect has the job had on your social life? I certainly hope I don't sound shallow when I ask this - I've got no interest in dating men who can't handle what I do for a living. I currently work at a woman's shelter, a job many men already find threatening, and work strange hours, so I'm accustomed to being up all night if it's required, and doing my job on very little sleep. However, I do find it's important for me to have friend-and-family time, and was hoping I could still get that and not be swallowed whole by work.

Oh, and one more thing, while I'm at it. I'm a fairly sensitive, empathic person, and can be deeply affected by other's grief. I can usually handle myself with composure, but...has this been a problem for anyone, and if so, how have you handled it?

Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to answer my (I'm sure) very common questions.

hate to be the one who posts twice in a row but...

2006-12-04T00:17:20Z

I was just wondering what everyone's opinions were on the social stigma of being a mortician. I just think it's odd that people think it's a creepy job, or in a lot of cases, to have this job/career, would make you a creepy person, but no one feels the same way about coroners. It's strange because both professions call for you to be spending a good chunk of your life with the dead, up close and personal.
I ask this because I've posed this question to my friends and most of them were quite open about the fact that they think that being a mortician is weird, but have never thought that way about a coroner.
Thoughts?

makeupinmourges @ 2006-11-26T21:56:00

2006-11-26T21:56:04Z

Hi. My name is Jen, and I'm new to this community. I'm currently going to school for pre-mortuary sciences, and I was wondering if anyone had any advise for those of us just starting out?
(I noticed a few posts to that effect awhile back)
Thanks!

Howdy!

2006-11-22T02:52:54Z

I am just wondering how all of you handle sexism in the workplace? I mean it is a common misconception that "woman cant lift" and men (trying to be gentlemanly) tend to just take over and leave the woman standing to the side with her arms crossed secretly cursing him (or at least in my experience). How do you handle this? I find that when there is a particular body that is large I am not hesitant to ask for assistance, not because I can't do it, but because I do not want to blow out my back. I am just wondering how everyone deals with this.
Thanks
Em

North

2006-11-22T02:43:35Z

Does anyone, I mean ANYONE, know of a good mortuary school or program in Canada (preferably in Ontario)?!? They all seem to be in the States.

Frustrated…

-gets on knees-

help?

Hot to death

2006-11-08T17:13:36Z

Men In Morgues- A calendar featuring some of the hottest funeral directors across the country.

This idea amuses me to no end. I think I know what I want for Christmas.

makeupinmourges @ 2006-11-07T23:04:00

2006-11-08T00:04:10Z

I'm positive this question has been asked before, and I hope this gets answered.
I'm going to be attending Vincennes University for the 2 year + Board certification program. I plan to also do distance learning/double major in Forensics.
To avoid any of the redundant, are you sures? I'd just like to inform that i've thought about this since I was about 12 years old...and seriously considered it for all of my high school career. Following this two year period, I will be transferring to Austin,Texas(if all goes well.)To the forensics institute there. My goal in life is to be elected coroner. As for high school classes I am taking ACP college english classes and medical terminology, and without sounding like a braggart i'm getting a 97% in the class.)
My questions are..
1.Is there a possibility in a double major in for instance,forensic anthropology and mortuary science, or investigative forensics and mortuary science?
2.What is the rate of pay for morticians in Texas?(if anyone knows right off the top of their heads it would be nice, but if you don't know I can always research.)
Any additional information would also be splendid.
Thanks, and take care.

More on Experience

2006-08-18T17:37:44Z

I'm starting the funeral directing program at St. Louis Community College- Forest Park tomorrow and am interested in working a few nights a week at a funeral home for experience.

I called the mortuary I really hope to work at and talked to the owner. He sounded really enthusiastic about my desire to work there, said he's always looking for floor people, and asked me to bring in a resume.

The problem is this- I've mostly had your typical "high school" and "surviving college" jobs. I have served as an administrative assistant, but that's not exactly the best route to work in a funeral home. Rather than my work history, I'd like any potential employer to focus on my education, ambition, dedication, etc. Can anybody give me suggestions for my resume?

(Also- I'm sure the job description varies, but can anybody describe what's included in the duties of a "floor person"?)

Please forgive the cross-posting

2006-08-18T08:01:09Z

I'm currently a senior in high school and am about to finish up the cosmetology program at a local technical college. What I've been mostly interested in these past few years, though, is mortuary science. Since I'm going to be graduating soon, I've been rigorously researching schools and laws and the like. But, unfortunately, most of the stuff I've been reading has been pretty much all the same stuff, and I'm having difficulties understanding a few things, and I thought some advice from actual people with experience would be extremely helpful.

First of all, I have no idea how to go about starting school, let alone my actual career as an embalmer. On most of the school websites I've visited, they all say that they strongly recommend experience in the field or having been an apprentice before enrolling. But I looked up apprenticeships, and they seem to also require experience. So my big question is: How to you acquire any experience at all? I'm really scared about how difficult or impossible it's going to be for me to get going on this. What have other people's experiences been? What would your advice be for an inexperienced high school kid?

Secondly, what are the most important things to look for when looking at schools?

And my last question would be just looking for personal opinions. Would it be considered a better choice to be an apprentice before attending school, or after graduating?

Thank you so much for any help!

Uk |Funerals

2006-08-10T21:08:28Z

I hope you dont mind me posting my community on here, its for anyone in the uk who is in or interested in the funeral buisness

Thanks!

talking to professionals

2006-06-05T18:41:18Z

i am very interested in becoming a mortician(embalmer, makeup, etc) and recently set up a meeting with my town's funeral home director(a woman!) to talk about her expiriences. she seemed shocked that anyone looked at this job as an option in high school(im in 10th grade) and impressed that i had all my questions prepared and was not saying thinkgs like how it would be cool to work here( im not sure why i want to do this, im drawn to it in a way. . . . im esspecially interested in working with crime victems in labs(think csi after thay're done examining). anyway, when i asked her why she was drawn to the field and if she regretted her desiscion to become a funeral home director( she does everything-that's just her title), she discouraged me from the career! she told me all the bad things and disadvantages. . like she didn't want me to ruin my life!!( other than that she's a nice person).
is it really that bad?????

makeupinmourges @ 2006-05-31T00:24:00

2006-05-31T04:24:13Z

Was just wondering today, as I was standing out in the swealtering sun and humidity, how do some of you handle the hot weather when wearing your suits?

I know most funeral homes at least allow women to wear skirts, but ours doesnt :-\. Neither do they allow us to wear short sleave shirts plus the heavy blazers.

The building has A/C obviously, but its when we're outside in the parking lot, cemetery etc.
We cant even bring bottles of water out cause we're not supposed to be "drinking on the job"

My boss says its unprofessional to wear short sleaves and what not, but I think its even less professional looking to be dripping with sweat while talking to families.

I remember someone mentioning to me that directors in Hawaii wear long shorts or something.

So I just wanted to know, how do some of you handle this heat? Cause this is just asking for heat exhaustion.

x-posted