Funeral bureaus are a growing industry that is filled with many different opportunities. You can start your own and help others during their time of need, or you can work for one and gain invaluable experience. Either way, you’ll find that you enjoy a career that allows you to work with people and make a difference in the lives of families.
Become a funeral director
A funeral director provides end-of-life care for individuals and families. They help people deal with the emotional, legal, and financial aspects of death. Funeral directors also help prepare the body for viewing.
A person interested in becoming a funeral director should begin by obtaining an associate degree in mortuary science or a bachelor’s degree in funeral service. In addition, the applicant must have a license from the New York State Bureau of Funeral Directing.
Depending on the state, a mortician must complete an apprenticeship or post-degree licensing. Apprenticeships are one to three years long and give prospective funeral directors a hands-on experience in the industry. After graduation, some states require an additional 18 months of training.
An apprentice at a mortuary must be under the direct supervision of an experienced mortician. He or she must learn the different practices of the industry, including embalming, dressing, and preparing the body. The student must take an in-person practical and pass an exam.
After completing an apprenticeship, a person may go on to study at a school that specializes in mortuary science. Several colleges and universities offer programs. Some may include a business component.
The applicant must pass written and oral examinations administered by a professional testing organization. He or she must also pass the national board exam.
Cremation vs disposition
It’s important to know which is the best funeral bureau to use for your loved one’s last rites. The first thing to do is figure out who you want to pay the bills. Once that’s sorted out, you can start planning the details. Cremation is usually a fairly quick and painless procedure. You might opt for a full service or a simple burial at home.
The cremation of the dead, or cadaver, varies by jurisdiction and municipality. There are many factors to consider including a proper disposition of remains, proper disposal of the ashes, and proper zoning laws for the site. Luckily for you, most funeral establishments will take care of all the legal legwork and make sure that the cremated remains are placed in the appropriate urn, casket, or other container.
Aside from the actual cremation process, you’ll need to decide whether to bury the ashes in the ground, scatter them in a cemetery, or dispose of them by cremation and euthanasia. Depending on your budget and inclination, there are numerous options. For instance, you could choose to have the ashes scattered in a religious cemetery, have them disposed of in the garden or have them buried in a niche, such as a columbarium.
Preneed trust contracts
Preneed trust contracts for funeral bureaus are a way for people to set aside money for anticipated funeral costs. However, these contracts are not always in the best interest of the consumer.
When deciding whether or not to set aside money for preneed arrangements, you should consider how much you can afford and what you will actually use the funds for. Depending on your needs, there are several options for securing your money. You can deposit the funds in a separate trust account or you can use an insurance policy.
If you are considering setting aside funds for preneed arrangements, you should ask your attorney what options are available to you. For instance, does your state require you to pay the state taxes on the money you put aside? Also, you might be able to use the proceeds of a preneed life insurance policy to fund your funeral arrangements.
The Federal Trade Commission has required certain types of funeral homes to disclose their itemized pricing information. This information can be helpful in making decisions about which funeral home to select. It also provides a measure of oomph for you to compare prices and services.
One of the most important things to consider is the quality of the contract. There are many different types of contracts, and you should make sure you get the right one.