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Mortician, Undertaker
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
| Starting | $21.72 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $28.21 |
| Top | $33.99 |
Interest in compiling information to prepare the remains of deceased persons for public visitation
Interest in precision working to preserve, sanitize and prepare remains for funeral services
Interest in supervising funeral home attendants and other funeral home staff
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Embalmers use dignity and respect in their care for deceased persons. In general, they:
Embalmers may also supervise funeral attendants or other funeral home staff.
Most of an embalmer’s work is done under surgical conditions in a preparation room.
In larger funeral homes, embalmers work normal office hours and some evenings. In small establishments, they may work longer hours. Embalmers may be required to transfer remains into care at any hour.
Some heavy lifting is required.
Embalmers need:
They should enjoy:
Embalmers should have an interest in and knowledge of anatomy. They should have mathematical skills to calculate chemical strengths.
Prospective embalmers should discuss training options with practising funeral directors or embalmers before enrolling in a program.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Funeral directors take charge of caring for the remains of people who have died, help families plan funeral services, and co-ordinate and manage arrangements for services. Embalmers prepare the remains for public visitation and burial. Business managers manage funeral service businesses. Pre-need salespersons draw up and sign pre-need funeral service contracts on behalf of the business.
Under Alberta's Funeral Services Act and General Regulation, funeral directors, embalmers, business managers and pre-need salespersons must be licensed through the Alberta Funeral Services Regulatory Board (AFSRB). A licence is not required to work as a funeral attendant under the supervision of a licensed embalmer or funeral director.
Applicants for licensing must pass the Alberta Funeral Services Regulatory examination with a mark of at least 65%. Graduates of training programs offered in other provinces also must satisfy experience requirements and be sponsored by an Alberta funeral service. For official, detailed information about registration requirements, visit the AFSRB website or contact the AFSRB.
Funeral directors, embalmers and pre-need salespersons who are licensed by and in good standing with a regulatory organization elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for licensing in Alberta if licensed practitioners in the two jurisdictions have similar responsibilities and competencies. For more information, see What if I am already certified in another province or territory? and the Alberta regulatory authority (below).
Alberta Funeral Services Regulatory Board
180, 2755 Broadmoor Blvd
Sherwood Park, Alberta
Canada T8H 2W7
Call: 780-452-6130
Toll-free (within Alberta): 1-800-563-4652
Fax number: 780-452-6085
Website: afsrb.ab.ca
Embalmers are employed in funeral homes across the province. Licensed embalmers may train to become funeral directors, and many funeral homes prefer dual licensing as an embalmer and funeral director. For more information, see the Funeral Director occupational profile.
Embalmers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 6346: Funeral directors and embalmers. In Alberta, most people employed in this classification work in the Other Services [pdf] industry.
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years. However, demand for embalming services is declining because more people are choosing cremation.
In Alberta, the 6346: Funeral directors and embalmers occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.6% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 39 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Embalmers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 6346: Funeral directors and embalmers.
According to the 2015 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Funeral directors and embalmers occupational group earned on average from $23.30 to $37.00 an hour. The overall average was $29.95 an hour. More recent data is not available.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $16.50 | $28.85 | $21.72 | $20.19 |
| Overall | $20.00 | $40.00 | $28.21 | $26.44 |
| Top | $22.00 | $52.20 | $33.99 | $31.00 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $48,946 |
|---|---|
| Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related) | $48,718 |
Alberta Funeral Service Association (AFSA) website: afsa.ca
Alberta Funeral Services Regulatory Board (AFSRB) website: afsrb.ab.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2019. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.