Embalmer | Average UK Salary & Outlook

Embalmers preserve and prepare bodies for burial or cremation.

Typical task
Working hours
Attractive values

Dress bodies and place them in caskets.
Conform to laws of health and sanitation and ensure that legal requirements concerning embalming are met.
Close incisions, using needles and sutures.
Attach trocar to pump-tube, start pump, and repeat probing to force embalming fluid into organs.
Wash and dry bodies, using germicidal soap and towels or hot air

Dress bodies and place them in caskets.
Conform to laws of health and sanitation and ensure that legal requirements concerning embalming are met.
Close incisions, using needles and sutures.
Attach trocar to pump-tube, start pump, and repeat probing to force embalming fluid into organs.
Wash and dry bodies, using germicidal soap and towels or hot air dryers.
Incise stomach and abdominal walls and probe internal organs, using trocar, to withdraw blood and waste matter from organs.
Join lips, using needles and thread or wire.
Reshape or reconstruct disfigured or maimed bodies when necessary, using dermasurgery techniques and materials such as clay, cotton, plaster of Paris, and wax.
Pack body orifices with cotton saturated with embalming fluid to prevent escape of gases or waste matter.
Make incisions in arms or thighs and drain blood from circulatory system and replace it with embalming fluid, using pump.
Maintain records, such as itemized lists of clothing or valuables delivered with body and names of persons embalmed.
Apply cosmetics to impart lifelike appearance to the deceased.
Remove the deceased from place of death and transport to funeral home.
Insert convex celluloid or cotton between eyeballs and eyelids to prevent slipping and sinking of eyelids.
Perform the duties of funeral directors, including coordinating funeral activities.
Assist with placing caskets in hearses and organize cemetery processions.
Serve as pallbearers, attend visiting rooms, and provide other assistance to the bereaved.
Conduct interviews to arrange for the preparation of obituary notices, to assist with the selection of caskets or urns, and to determine the location and time of burials or cremations.
Arrange funeral home equipment and perform general maintenance.
Perform special procedures necessary for remains that are to be transported to other states or overseas, or where death was caused by infectious disease.
Arrange for transporting the deceased to another state for interment.
Direct casket and floral display placement and arrange guest seating.
Supervise funeral attendants and other funeral home staff.
Press diaphragm to evacuate air from lungs.
Assist coroners at death scenes or at autopsies, file police reports, and testify at inquests or in court, if employed by a coroner.

Average salary
25,975 GBP *
per year

Average salary for Embalmer

26,067 GBP
25,833 GBP

Average salary for part-time Embalmer

Average salary for full-time Embalmer

Showing:

9,764 GBP
12,340 GBP
8,260 GBP

25,975 GBP
25,833 GBP
26,067 GBP

Salary over time for Embalmer

Salary for this role has increased over time

22,284 GBP
22,978 GBP
25,772 GBP
23,580 GBP
23,612 GBP
26,617 GBP
25,975 GBP
27,618 GBP

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Future outlook for Embalmers

Balanced outlook

15 000+ jobs available

Balanced outlook

3% yearly wage growth (on average)

Balanced outlook

50% chance of automation in the future

Which qualifications do I need?

Find out what you need to know in order to become a Embalmer and the highest average level of education for people in this role.

In terms of people already doing this job:

52% of people in this role have a Diploma of Higher Education or equivalent
35% of people in this role have a Bachelor's degree
13% of people in this role have a post-secondary qualification such as a Higher National Diploma

You'll need:

the ability to operate and control equipment
observation and recording skills
the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
the ability to work on your own
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Get the right qualification to begin your journey to becoming a Embalmer

Tools & Equipment

What soft skills do I need?

Rise above the competition by brushing up on the 5 most important soft skills you need to become a Embalmer.

Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively

Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times

Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems

Coordination Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions

Judgment and Decision Making Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one

Integrity Job requires being honest and ethical. Dependability Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. Attention to Detail Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. Concern for Others Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. Stress Tolerance Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

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Embalmer | Average UK Salary & Outlook

Salary statistics

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Future outlook for Embalmers

Embalmer - Your future job?

Which qualifications do I need?

What soft skills do I need?

Things to highlight for your Embalmer interview

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