There are all kinds of jobs out there, but few can offer the rewarding work that comes to a funeral service director. Funeral service is a field that is certainly out of the ordinary, but much more fulfilling than you may realize. In fact, this career path is full of both personal and professional benefits, with an increasing job outlook and a career in helping others being just the start!
If you are considering a funeral service degree, you may be looking for some inspiration to get started. You may have questions like, “Is the degree worth the journey,” and, “what can I look forward to in a funeral services career?” As a leading career college in Connecticut, Goodwin College has broken down some of the top reasons to pursue a funeral service degree (also known as a mortuary science degree) below.
- Your Desire to Help Others
One of the most important personality traits for those who work in funeral service is compassion. If you are a person who loves to help others, particularly during difficult times, you may be perfect for the field of funeral service.
Think about the work that a funeral director accomplishes each and every week. Before services, the funeral service director will work closely with families to plan all the details of the ceremony and wake. As families grapple with the loss of a loved one that day, the funeral service director will guide visitors in and out of the service, as well as keep the memorial services moving and organized. All the while, funeral service directors remain compassionate and empathetic towards those that are grieving. As many who’ve faced loss could tell you, it takes a special kind of person to face this emotional work with an open heart.
- Religion/Spirituality
While being religious or spiritual certainly is not a requirement for the job, you may notice that a lot of people who work in funeral service have a strong sense of faith. It’s not too surprising, since the work deals with confronting mortality on a daily basis. If you feel drawn to a funeral service career for spiritual reasons, you are not alone.
- You Have an Interest in Science & Business
If you’re interested in science and anatomy, you may be very curious in learning about embalming. A funeral service degree program will not only prepare you for a funeral director career, but also for a rewarding, in-demand position in the field of mortuary science. Goodwin College’s mortuary science classes, for example, cover topics like human biology, microbiology, medical terminology, and embalming. The anatomical work on the job will pique the interest of anyone who loved to study science in school, and wants to continue to learn about the subject.
There is also a lot to be learned of the business side of funeral directing. Should you be interested in opening your own funeral home, you will need to have a good working knowledge of the ins and outs of running a business. At Goodwin College, funeral service degree students also study subjects such as the Principles in Accounting, Introduction to Management, and Business Law and Ethics.
- The Challenges and Diversity
If it’s true that “variety is the spice of life,” then there is plenty of flavor in the life of a funeral director. No two days are the same in this industry. Funeral service directors serve as planners, counselors, consultants, and even morticians.
In the funeral services field, challenges that require focus, communication, empathy, and patience may arise. If you’re looking for something that takes you away from a mundane 9-5 desk job, you’ll certainly find plenty of variety with a career in funeral planning.
- You Enjoy Meaningful Event Planning
If you’re an organized person who enjoys planning important events, the task of funeral service planning may be up your alley. While “party planning” on its own can, at times, feel superficial and insignificant, those who long to plan meaningful events can find plenty of satisfaction in the work of funeral services. When you consider that funerals are meant to celebrate the life of a human being who has, in the least, had an impact on several other peoples’ lives, there is no more important event to plan.
- Rewarding Work
Funeral service planning and directing offers a lifetime of very rewarding work. Your work to help others in a difficult time – quite possibly the hardest time of their lives – is a powerful and wonderful concept. If you want your career to really have an impact and make a difference, you will certainly feel the rewards as you guide people through tragedy and help them acquire closure.
- The People You Work With
Funeral directors work with other compassionate and caring individuals on a daily basis. From hospice nurses to local florists, there are many incredible people with whom you will cross paths. Many people say that a job can be made joyful just by the people you work with, and this certainly reigns true in the work of funeral services.
- A Bright Future
While it may seem like a morbid thought, the role of the funeral director will never go away. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the employment of funeral service workers to grow by 5% over the next several years. Demand for funeral service careers will stem, primarily, from deaths in the aging population. In addition, more and more baby boomers are beginning to make their end-of-life plans. You’ll likely never be at risk of facing long term unemployment as a funeral director.
To land a career in the in-demand field of funeral services, please note that employers seek candidates with at least an associate degree in funeral service or mortuary science. You must also pass a state licensing exam to become a funeral director or mortician.
Funeral service is a rewarding career, promising both personal and professional growth. If the above benefits appeal to you, do not hesitate to inquire about a degree in funeral services today! Contact Goodwin College at 800-889-3282, visit us online to request more information, or click here to apply.
Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.