Embalmers
Job description
These individuals perform thanatopraxy on the remains of the deceased (handling, restorative art, preservation of the body). They plan, organize, and deliver the required funeral services and rites in accordance with the wishes of the bereaved family. They are called upon to collaborate with various health and social services professionals and ministers of religion. They are self-employed or work for:
- Funeral service providers
- Crematoriums
- Cemeteries and columbaria
Environment
- Controlled ambient temperature
- Biological agents
- Odours
Main tasks
- Transport the deceased.
- Sanitize the bodies of the deceased and inject them with preservative solutions.
- Prepare the bodies for funeral services (makeup, clothing, etc.).
- Greet bereaved families and establish a line of supportive communication with them.
- Advise customers on funeral arrangements and the choice of a burial site.
- Plan, organize, and direct the various funeral services (obituary, place of worship, ceremony, etc.).
- Carry out administrative tasks related to the activities of a funeral home.
- Ensure the maintenance of the premises and equipment.
Training and requirements
Formation
Most training programs are offered in French only.
College
DCS in techniques de thanatologie
Placement rate: 85.7%
4.8% of graduates pursue further studies
Also required
- Licence to embalm.
Sometimes required
- A Class 5 driver's licence may be required or considered an asset.
Main skills and characteristics
Skills
- Data collection
- Information processing
- Coordination
- Equipment maintenance
- Active listening
- Installation
- Solving complex problems
- Service oriented
- Time management
- Result evaluation
- Judgment and decision-making
- Science
- Social perception
- Monitoring operations
- Critical thought
- Material resource management
- Operations and control
- Oral expression
- Written expression
- Active learning
- Reading comprehension
- Persuasion
Abilities
- Information organization
- Near vision
- Hand-arm stability
- Manual dexterity
- Information processing speed
- Digital dexterity
- Time sharing
- Oral comprehension
- Written comprehension
- Colour perception and distinction
- Awareness of issues
- Verbal skills
- Limb coordination
- Speech clarity
- Written expression
- Deductive reasoning
- Selective attention
- Idea generation
- Overall balance of the body
Knowledge and attributes
- Sense of responsibility
- Capacity to adapt
- Knowledge of customer and personalized services
- Attention to detail
- Capacity to be discrete
- Friendliness
- Respect others
- Knowledge of biology
- Impeccable appearance
- Knowledge of chemistry
Interests
- Direct, organize, and manage
- Work in sales or client service
- Work in an office
- Self-employment
- Work manually
- Assist and advise
- Conduct tests and trials, control processes
Personality profiles (RIASEC)
- Realistic
- People with this profile prefer carrying out concrete tasks and being physically involved in what they do.
- Enterprising
- People with this profile prefer having responsibilities, influencing others and responding to challenges.
- Social
- People with this profile prefer to be in contact with others, in particular to entertain, help or teach them.
Appellation d’emploi liée (à traduire)
Funeral directors and embalmers (CNP 62201)
Skill type
Sales and service
Related occupations
- College and other vocational instructors
- Funeral directors and embalmers
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- Other assisting occupations in support of health services
- Other medical technologists and technicians
- Other service support occupations
- Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies
Last update: January 29, 2026