Thank you for this video, and thank you for the work you do. As much as people may give this profession a weird look, you help make grieving families lives so much better. I will always be thankful for the funeral director who helped my family with my fathers sudden death. He was very very polite and caring and made it so easy to make arrangements. Again thank you for what you do
A friend told me he made about $20/hour when he was managing a funeral home about 15 years ago. But that was when he factored in all the hours and on call duties he had to perform. So he did not gross a 40 hour week x $20 = $800. He made far more than that in salary, but worked well past 40 hours/week. So it worked out to an average of $20/hour. He now owns two funeral homes with his sister so makes a lot more.
Wow, interesting. As an apprentice, I started at $15 hourly I believe. And after like three months, received a dollar raise. We also had 100% company paid health benefits, 401k, sick and vacation time, and no night removals, or day removals for that matter. And often used a trade embalmer. So as an apprentice, yeah it was like a dream..
@@EvieVargas I guess not lol. I’ve heard of some horror stories where some interns weren’t even getting paid, but needed the experience so they had to do it. Crazy. I was really lucky to get in there. Was a big Italian family owned firm in New England.
I am nearly finished with mortuary school (Ohio), 21 yrs old, and I am really motivated to use my bi-lingual English-Spanish skills. I haven't secured an apprenticeship yet. I am torn about where I will end up. I have always been a fighter, and I will continue to fight for what's good & right, but I'm in such a confusing position right now having no direction. It's hard when I don't have a #1 mentor to guide me! I want to make the best decision for myself. Maybe you can't advise me, but at least consider praying for me. I value the content you have shared.
You will be just fine! Trust me! Like you I always look forward to using my second language to benefit the Hispanic community. Have you interviewed at any funeral homes? Dropped off resumes? Searched online? You are a valuable asset because you speak Spanish.
I think one of the problems with the industry is that they require too much education I mean I don't mean no disrespect but I mean you dealing with dead bodies what could go wrong you kill him
But I guess it don't matter too much anymore about mortuary science because more and more people are opting to cremation so I think in bombers are going to be a thing of the past and just a few years now
I want to be a mortician when I grow up lol you should have seen the faces of my family when I told them that when I was 9 I'm 15 and I'm still not a mortician lol but I will be.
key rito Some people find it weird when I tell them I’m a mortician. It’s not weird at all! I know you will be one because when I was young I would tell my family the same thing!!
My neice wanted to be Dr. G (tv show about a female coroner) when she was only 3. That was her favorite show..lol. your comment reminded me of my neice when she was my little. I wish you the best of success.. dream big!!! Be the funeral home operator and owner
@@_miguelithink_5636 Dont say "will" as you dont know what the future brings. You can say you really hope to be but you dont know what tomorrow brings, not trying to be morbid but you could not be alive who knows. Thats why I always say "hopefully"
@@peppermintjane1183 I've said that enough times to tire myself out with it. If I don't ever plan on doing anything without saying "I will" I won't work as hard for cause Ik there's an almost definitely chance I'll just die tomorrow. What's the point in living if your only waiting to die the next day that's some BS logic my mom taught and I disagree I've lived with that logic till I 14 but fuck that I'm know I'm doing it if I do die great, fantastic it's life and I couldn't stop it but you should always hope for the best even if you get disappointed in the end.
Thank you so much for what you do Morticians! You are amazing and underrated… but who cares because we are badass undertakers that care for the dead. What’s cooler than that?
Honestly America should be paying all professions way more. I hate the fact that a tik tok pornstar can make more in a day and we have smart skillful like you who should be pay more
Hi Evie! Thank you for answering these questions. Especially on youtube. I’ve been contemplating doing this as a career or becoming a nurse. You opened my eyes I appreciate it. Also love your videos!!
To live i need health benefits, disability, 401k match, growth up/trainings, paying back my tuition for mortuary school, pancake pay days, lunch if I work holidays, vacations and holidays. I like my balance though by volunteering for non corporate funeral coops. And I talked with other folks in industry so I wasn’t going from what I make now outside industry 22-24 an hour to less than that, not accepting less than 24-26 an hour. I’m originally from Chicago living in Seattle.
It's so hard to justify what some people should make....considering geographic locations, family status, and personal aspersions, but if everyone were as dedicated and determined as you.....and being in the profession you are in, it is so hard to put a price on. I have so much respect for everyone in your business!
I love you! Definitely right about bring more to the table. It should bring you more money. I have always stood up for myself and ask for the most money I feel I deserve. I'm not over the top about it and logical when I do. I agree though girl preach it!
Devvvie Awww!!! I love you for this comment!!! If you don’t stand up for yourself and know your worth owners will pay you the bare minimum! Some people just go with the first offer they get... I hate that!
I love your videos!!! 😊 I wish you would post more often!! Like a day in the life of a funeral director! Or a week in the life... I am a 33 year old military wife. My dream is to go to Worsham. Really tough when your spouse is in the military and one is constantly moving every 3 years. Not knowing “where and what’s next”. Is it possible to establish a state license every time I move? Any advice? really hope I can fulfill my dream one day! I hope you are having a great night! 💕
Slash P. Thank you for the video ideas! I’m on it! I really hope you can pursue your dream of attending Worsham! They’re offering an online program to Illinois residents only but I’m sure they’ll branch out and offer it to more states in the future. Each state is different... some require a bachelors degree and others only require an associates. So to apply for licensing in each state you move to may be a little tricky. Also may have to test for state laws every time you move. I haven’t moved from my state or ever applied for reciprocity but when I do I can definitely explain the procedure to you. Why don’t you try an online program other than attending Worsham? Also the military has mortuary affairs jobs. I’m not saying to join the military at all lol just throwing things out there.
PIMS.edu they have an online program which would work for your situation. I am currently enrolled there and set to graduate in the fall. I’ve only stepped for on campus for RA lab which is 3 days unless you decide to take celebrant training then it will be 6 days of campus work out of the whole 2 year program.
Hey! I was recently accepted into Worsham for this spring. This video is super helpful. I’d love to know more about your every day life. Days off , sleep schedule ect. Im so excited to start school but I’m also nervous.
@@EvieVargas thank you! I started part time at a funeral home a few weeks ago and I’m loving it. I appreciate creators in the industry for all the educational materials!
Hey I'm a senior in high school and I'm thinking of applying first to Malcom X college for an associates degree in applied science accredited for the mortuary progatm and then tansfer/apply to southern illinois university carbondale mortuary science program to do two more years to get my bachelor's. Do you have any advice like about application, regrets, scholarships, etc?
@@The_jezeb3l Hi! In IL you dont need a 4 year degree to obtain licensure as a FD/E. So if you wanted to you could pursue a bachelors in another field that would be better unless you see yourself moving to a state that requires a 4 year degree. If you're in IL I would look into going to Worsham because their passing rate for the board exams is way higher than Malcolm X. I also know people that went to Malcolm X and can't pass the board exams. Worsham also has an online program! The school you attend will let you know about scholarship opportunities but you can also look into the funeral service foundation. They have several scholarship opportunities that would be beneficial for you! No regrets at all! I love what I do!
Hello from Toronto, Canada. I am a FD as well and have been working as FD for 13 years for family owned funeral home. I must tell you that the average expense for a household of 4 here is about $5310 (2017 data) -mind you it's a cheap Canadian Dollor. After deducting Canadian income tax (33.89%), I don't come even close to be able to make ends meet but thankfully my wife works full time as well, to close the financial gap. I thought I would share this.
Being a both a funeral director and embalmer you will make very good money and also depend on state you live in morticians are both and they make more than a lot of other occupations I also wanna own my own funeral home which will take time but I will get there
During the height of the CORONAVIRUS outbreak funeral undertakers were bathing in money. Imagine having to wait to get buried!? That's enough to really mess up my weekend. I really don't think that I could stand waiting to be put into the ground or in an incinerator. That alone would really upset me to the point where I would have no choice but to go back home and take a bath.
I was here cause you seem to ❤life . Life is great to live and you are so pretty.I agree most jobs today do not pay your value.Seems know matter what position. Bless you !!For helping those who have passed.
Currently waiting to start my journey, I have a placement test before being admitted. I've heard the money isnt that great, but for me and i know a lot of others like me its not about the money. It's about helping people and its a calling.
Now that you're working for yourself, are you making more? Are you more satisfied with what you're doing now as opposed to working for a funeral home outright?
I am extremely happy and enjoy my job way more! I set my own prices and schedule... up to this point I am in a better position than I have ever been career wise.
You will not make good money in the field unless you own the funeral home. Also, this is an associates degree which simply doesn’t demand high pay. Although your work is difficult, running the entire place is much more difficult.
off the books i get 250.00 a client for a family run home my uncle sometimes 7x a week plus i have a state union job 50 hrs a week health& ret pkg included friends think im spooky
I’m a few years in the industry (in my early my 20s with a bachelors ) and I have a huge love for my job but I find that I do struggle with standing up for myself with a family owned business as you mentioned :/ I also noticed unfair treatment between myself and older staff as well as the men. I fear staying at a place that will never value me as much as they value others even if I have many talents, heart and create warm connections with the families. Have you experienced similar situations and do you think it’s worth perusing?
Morticians can make different amounts of pay depending on the firm that they work for there’s some mortuaries like Pierce Brothers they’re a big firm so they pay better money and some of it has to do with how many cases they do I’m a contract in mortician been for many years
After over fifty years service at various locations I can assure everyone that if your name is not on the sign out front, then you aren't making the big money. AND, even then, the Golden Goose flew long ago. With cremation rates climbing towards 80% and traditional funerals dwindling, there is less and less "big money". The real elephant in the room is what will happen as a result of a huge economic recession or depression? Nobody wants to think about it, but, we are already dealing with "abandoned" bodies. I think we will have a form of "National Death Care" long before we have a form of "National Health Care". The Government will eventually "Nationalize" much of the Death Care Industry.
I work in the fire department and there are many paramedics that I work with that are also morticians part time they get the benefits from the fire department a good pension and work schedule and work part time for a funeral home and then when they retire they just transition
Why would a firefighter who witnesses horrific car crashes involving dismembered arms and legs, crushed skulls and decapitation work off-hours as an embalmer?!
Definitely hard to say which is better. One, Salary has its benefits if the required amount of hrs are not tried to be surpassed by the employer and if so theres a bonus or percentage lol just sayin ;) Hourly would be best for say the times of this crazy pandemic we have going on .But after is the problem with that is after . Salary WINS !!! LOL Interesting job tho ;) definitely going to subscribe.
did you have to get a degree for the 12/hr apprenticeship? that seems really low for a degree. I remember when I got my BS degree, I was offered 16/hr and I was devastated that this seemed average. Changed careers, better pay now, but i did not need a degree for what I do now >_
Yes, an associates degree! In IL you have to finish school and pass your board exams to become a licensed intern. I'm sure there are other places that payed more than $12 but I was so comfortable with where I was at and honestly scared to move forward.
I never had a desire to work in your field, but my older brother did for a few years. I am curious about what you would do if you were asked to provide services to a close family member. I am close to 64 and will be cremated when I pass, so I guess that is an entirely different process. I also wonder if people make the comment that a beautiful woman as yourself is in the wrong profession!! I witnessed this in my two careers of Security Police in the Air Force, and working with the local Sheriff's Office. Many do not accept a woman in such positions!! As far as I am considered you choose to work whatever career you are comfortable with and disregard their short sided opinions. I am sure you use PPE over your entire body while dealing with diseased bodies, does the funeral home have private showers so you can properly dispose of the PPE and completely shower before going home. We had showers available to us in the sheriff's office in our jails. Would I be correct that you use a respirator during embalming, and do you yet participate in cremations? You seem very professional and it is easy to hear this information from you though it is not pleasant to deal with them. I would assume PPE when used is incinerated afterwards!! I was the surrogate with my Mom before she passed with Alzheimer's and Dementia. This of course forced me to make decisions no child normally would make, however it was a huge honor to make sure her wishes were carried out to the letter. I knew she was with Jesus but still had opposition from a family member, and I stood my ground with the knowledge I was doing as Mom wished and I was not going to change anything. I am sure you see this kind of conflict often in families no matter if the death was sudden or protracted. The funeral home I entered into contract with was excellent to include filling out forms for additional death certificates. The care home, Glencroft in Glendale, Arizona was also wonderful. Both reached out to me years before so when Mom passed I was not trying to make those decisions when grieving. I say these things in hopes that you too in your job do the same to make it much easier on the families you deal with.
What is the likelihood or frequency that one becomes skilled in Mortuary Science/Embalming, but does not become a director? I know this may be state-regulated as far as qualifications, but is this a common thing?
Definitely state regulated. For example in IL you have to be licensed to do both but can choose to do either or. I have been solely focused on embalming this past year. So pretty common!
I want to be a mortician but am 16 and im almost finish out of high school but i dont know how to tell my parents because they are scared of dead people 😓
Nothing to be afraid about. Just sit and think about why you really want to pursue this career path. Let them know your reasoning and keep pursuing your dreams.
I forgot to mention union in this video. You are absolutely right! I hear the benefits are amazing but those jobs are so hard to come by... at least it has been in my journey.
Omg is that unfair. It is considered a professional job. I'd bet a million dollars that if you had a peniis, your value goes up as well as your salary. Yuk!