Occupation Summary

Embalmers

O*NET 39-4011.00

Description:

Prepare bodies for interment in conformity with legal requirements.

Annual Wages:
$59,362.00
Employment Rate:
Employment is expected to increase by 6.29%.
Education Level:
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree). According to O*Net, the majority of people employed in this occupation have this level of education.
Endorsement:
Public Service, Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM)

  1. Conform to laws of health and sanitation and ensure that legal requirements concerning embalming are met.
  2. Apply cosmetics to impart lifelike appearance to the deceased.
  3. Incise stomach and abdominal walls and probe internal organs, using trocar, to withdraw blood and waste matter from organs.
  4. Close incisions, using needles and sutures.
  5. Reshape or reconstruct disfigured or maimed bodies when necessary, using dermasurgery techniques and materials such as clay, cotton, plaster of Paris, and wax.
  6. Make incisions in arms or thighs and drain blood from circulatory system and replace it with embalming fluid, using pump.
  7. Dress bodies and place them in caskets.
  8. Perform the duties of funeral directors, including coordinating funeral activities.
  9. Join lips, using needles and thread or wire.
  10. 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.
  11. Attach trocar to pump-tube, start pump, and repeat probing to force embalming fluid into organs.
  12. Perform special procedures necessary for remains that are to be transported to other states or overseas, or where death was caused by infectious disease.
  13. Maintain records, such as itemized lists of clothing or valuables delivered with body and names of persons embalmed.
  14. Insert convex celluloid or cotton between eyeballs and eyelids to prevent slipping and sinking of eyelids.
  15. Wash and dry bodies, using germicidal soap and towels or hot air dryers.
  16. Arrange for transporting the deceased to another state for interment.
  17. Supervise funeral attendants and other funeral home staff.
  18. Pack body orifices with cotton saturated with embalming fluid to prevent escape of gases or waste matter.
  19. Assist with placing caskets in hearses and organize cemetery processions.
  20. Serve as pallbearers, attend visiting rooms, and provide other assistance to the bereaved.
  21. Direct casket and floral display placement and arrange guest seating.
  22. Arrange funeral home equipment and perform general maintenance.
  23. Assist coroners at death scenes or at autopsies, file police reports, and testify at inquests or in court, if employed by a coroner.
  24. Press diaphragm to evacuate air from lungs.
  25. Remove the deceased from place of death and transport to funeral home.
  26. Clean and disinfect areas in which bodies are prepared and embalmed.

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National Industry Employment Patterns


Industry % of Embalmers employed Annual Growth Rate
Death care services 95.9 0.26


Labor Market Information


2023 Statewide average hourly wage $28.54
2023 National average hourly wage $27.26
2022 National employment 4,000
2022 Texas employment 302
Texas projected employment by 2032 321
Texas projected annual employment and Turnover openings through 2032 47




TEXAS COUNTY MAP BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
* Due to confidentiality rules, not all regions may have the data displayed. The sum of all the regions may not be equal to the state total.


Top 10 Relevant Knowledge Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
93.60%
Chemistry
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
72.40%
Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
71.80%
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
69.80%
Law and Government
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
68.00%
Biology
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
64.60%
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
64.00%
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
63.00%
Philosophy and Theology
Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
61.40%
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
59.80%


Top 10 Relevant Skill Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
77.60%
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.
75.00%
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
62.40%
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
62.40%
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
62.40%
Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
62.40%
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
62.40%
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
60.00%
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
60.00%
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
60.00%


Top 10 Relevant Abilities Relevant Importance Levels
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
80.00%
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
72.40%
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
72.40%
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
67.60%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
67.60%
Speech Recognition
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
67.60%
Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
65.00%
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
65.00%
Information Ordering
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
65.00%
Visualization
The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
62.40%


  • Assisting and Caring for Others
    -- Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
  • Documenting/Recording Information
    -- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    -- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Handling and Moving Objects
    -- Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Getting Information
    -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Other Activities


  • Independence
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
  • Support
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.


Tools

Air brushes: Air brushes;

Autopsy fluid collection vacuum aspirators or tubing: Nasal tube aspirators; Non-clogging post aspirators;

Autopsy head rests: Head blocks;

Autopsy knives or blades: Bistoury knives;

Autopsy saws: Stryker saws;

Cadaver lifter or transfer devices: Mortuary lifts; Hydraulic body lifts; Casket lifters;

Centrifugal pumps: Centrifugal force pumps;

Chemical pumps: Embalming fluid pumps; Embalming machines;

Desktop computers: Desktop computers;

Embalming cavity injectors: Embalming syringes; Embalming bulb syringes; Gravity injectors;

Embalming injecting tubes: Carotid tubes; Curved arterial tubes; Infant arterial tubes; Hairpin injectors; Straight arterial tubes;

Embalming injector needles: Injector needle guns; Embalming injector needles;

Embalming vein drainage tubes: Iliac drain tubes; Jugular drain tubes; Femoral drain tubes; Embalming vein drainage tubing; Axillary drain tubes;

Eyewashers or eye wash stations: Emergency eye wash stations;

Finger ring removers or cutters: Ring cutters;

Footwear covers: Protective shoe covers;

Goggles: Safety goggles;

Hair care supplies: Barber scissors;

Hypodermic needle: Hypodermic needles;

Makeup kits: Blending brushes; Cosmetic brushes; Stippling brushes; Powder dusting brushes; Lining brushes; Highlighting brushes; Tinting brushes;

Manicure implements: Cuticle scissors;

Medical body bags: Body bags;

Medical exam or non surgical procedure gloves: Protective medical gloves;

Morgue cabinet refrigerators: Refrigerated body storage cabinets;

Mortuary aspirators: Electric mortuary aspirators; Hydro-electric aspirators;

Notebook computers: Laptop computers;

Operating room patient positioning devices for general use: Head rests; Lower body positioners; Extremity positioners; Arm and hand positioners; Body positioners;

Ophthalmic surgical knives or blades: Eye suture scissors;

Paint sprayers: Paint sprayers;

Personal computers: Personal computers;

Postmortem incision clips: Calvarium clamps;

Postmortem needles: Aneurysm needles;

Protective coveralls: Safety coveralls;

Protective hood: Protective hoods;

Steam autoclaves or sterilizers: Steam autoclaves; Trocar sterilizers;

Surgical clamps or clips or forceps: Angular forceps; Curved Kelly forceps; Fixation forceps; Spring forceps; Straight Kelly forceps; Tube occluding forceps; Thumb forceps;

Surgical isolation or surgical masks: Protective medical face masks;

Surgical needle holders: Suture needle holders;

Surgical scalpels or knives or blades or trephines: Surgical scalpels;

Surgical scissors: Straight surgical scissors; Mayo scissors; Iris scissors; Lister bandage scissors;

Surgical shave kits or prep razors or clippers: Surgical razors;

Surgical trocars for general use: Infant trocars; Adult trocars;

Suture needles: Curved suture needles;


Technology

Data base user interface and query software: Custom Data Systems Sterling Management Software; FPA Software MACCS; HMIS Advantage; Belmar & Associates Mortware; Twin Tier Technologies MIMS;

Internet browser software: Web browser software;

Office suite software: Corel WordPerfect Office Suite; Microsoft Office software;

Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel;

Word processing software: Microsoft Word;


Related O*NET occupational titles for Embalmers include:
  • 39-4012.00 Crematory Operators
  • 39-4021.00 Funeral Attendants
  • 11-9171.00 Funeral Home Managers
  • 31-1121.00 Home Health Aides
  • 29-2061.00 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
  • 39-4031.00 Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers
  • 31-1131.00 Nursing Assistants
  • 31-9097.00 Phlebotomists
  • 29-9093.00 Surgical Assistants
  • 29-2055.00 Surgical Technologists


No sources of additional information found.

Contact Texas Workforce Commission
Labor Market and Career Information  |  101 E. 15th Street, Annex Room 0252  |  Austin, Texas 78778
Official Website  |  1-800-822-PLAN (7526)  |  512.936.3200

** The information in this report may be derived from many sources like O*NET, BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook), and Career One Stop.