Funeral Director/Undertaker

The funeral director/undertaker takes care of all the arrangements for a funeral on behalf of the deceased’s family.

• Making arrangements for and conducting funerals, cremations and burials.



• Embalming human bodies to retard or arrest the process of decay.



• Making sure that procedures that are prescribed by authorities are adhered to, such as obtaining a medical certificate, the registration of deaths and post-mortems, etc..
  


• Preparing the coffin and body for the funeral.



• Supporting the next of kin throughout and assisting them with decisions needed to be made for the funeral.



• Advertising his/her services in the industry and doing the necessary administration.



• Selling coffins, wreaths and funeral equipment.



• Transporting human remains throughout the country.

Requirements
 
Secondary Education
A Grade 10 certificate, or equivalent qualification, or a HIGCSE/IGCSE Grade 12, or equivalent qualification, is needed to obtain a formal qualification in South Africa, although basic literacy is often sufficient. Furthermore, the candidate should be 25 years or older and be in possession of a Code 08 drivers licence.
 
Recommended subjects
Biblical studies and a third language (South Africa)

Tertiary Education
The N. Dip.: Funeral Undertakers Management is offered at ML Sultan Technikon in South Africa. A two-year correspondence course is offered by various technikons in South Africa.
 
No formal training is currently offered in Namibia but prospective funeral directors/undertakers mostly receive in-service training.

Personality
The prospective funeral director/undertaker should be able to communicate well with people and be able to support and comfort them. Since the job is emotionally exhausting, it should be seen as a service to fellow men and be recognised as a calling rather than a career.

Work Opportunities
The funeral director/undertaker can work at any funeral service company or with the necessary experience and capital start his/her own business.

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