What Is The Difference Between A Funeral Director, Mortician, Undertaker, And Embalmer?

By: Alterna Cremation
Tuesday, November 1, 2022

Technicalities such as the titles of people working in the funeral service industry may not be your foremost concern if a death has occurred in your immediate circle.  And certainly, the professionals who are supporting you won’t mind if you refer to them by the wrong title in error.  

 

That being said, funeral service professionals provide an incredible amount to you and your family as they guide you through funeral arrangements and the initial stages of the grieving process.  

 

So, let’s take a moment to understand what these individuals really do on a daily basis and afford them the respect they deserve by explaining their proper titles.

 

Three in One

You may have heard the terms Funeral Director, Mortician, Undertaker, and Embalmer used interchangeably.  But are they really all the same?

 

Actually, three of them are.

 

The terms Funeral Director, Mortician, and Undertaker all refer to a person whose job it is to prepare the dead for burial or cremation and to arrange and manage funerals.  

 

So why are there three different names?

 

Undertaker is the oldest term, often associated with British funerary customs.  In the mid to late 1800s, American undertakers wanted to distinguish themselves as professionals and selected the term mortician, which sounded dignified (and similar to physician).  Funeral director is the most contemporary title for the profession and currently most in vogue.

 

In Canada, funeral service professionals are trained and regulated by the Canadian College of Funeral Service.  It takes two years of full-time education and hands-on training to obtain a funeral director licence in Manitoba.  

 

Embalmers

Embalming is the process of delaying the decomposition of a human body, usually so that it can be suitably presented at a private or public viewing.  Embalming involves removing organs, draining the blood from a body, and replacing it with embalming fluid.  

 

Embalmers are the professionals who work directly with the bodies of the deceased and prepare them for the funeral service.  They have a more specialized role than the funeral director.  That being said, many funeral directors are also licenced as embalmers.  

 

The Canadian College of Funeral Services regulates both professions in Canada.  

 

What Services Does a Funeral Director Provide?

The funeral director helps with all aspects of the funeral process.  They are there to answer questions and provide support to families.  They also deal with the legal and logistical aspects of death.  In addition, they help plan and arrange all the elements of funerals and memorials (though they rarely perform ceremonies unless clergy is otherwise unavailable).  

 

Embalmers, on the other hand, interact very little, if at all, with families.  Their primary focus is on the deceased themselves.  

 

Alterna Cremation Winnipeg

At Alterna, our funeral director and all of our funeral service professionals are committed to supporting our families with straightforward, direct, and dignified services.

 

If you’re seeking cremation services in Winnipeg, call us 24 hours a day at 204-808-4490.  

Leave a comment
Name*:
Email:
Comment*:
Please enter the numbers and letters you see in the image. Note that the case of the letters entered matters.

Comments

Please wait

Previous Posts

Pre-Planning Cremation: Why It Makes Sense For Your Family

Thinking about cremation might not be the most pleasant thing in the world, but it’s well worth the potential discomfort. By pre-planning your cremation, you can reduce stress, save money, and ensu...

Aftercare Services: The Support Continues After Cremation

When a loved one passes, there is so much to deal with, from grief to legalities. Assistance in helping you process your loss shouldn't stop after cremation.  Here are a few ways that we can ...

Environmental Considerations: How Cremation Reduces Carbon Footprint

As you put your end-of-life wishes in order or make arrangements for the funeral of a loved one, there are countless decisions to make. One of the most pivotal is whether to choose burial or cremat...

Winnipeg Cremation Services Provider Offers Custom-Engraved Keepsakes

WINNIPEG, MB:  Alterna Cremation, a locally owned and operated funeral home providing dignified direct cremation services, is now offering custom-engraved keepsakes to the families in its care...

Traditional Vs. Direct Cremation: Which Is Right For You?

Planning a funeral service for yourself or a loved one can feel overwhelming when you’re already mired in grief. One of the first decisions to make is whether you want to opt for direct cremation o...

The Role Of Cremation In Eco-Friendly Funeral Planning

Many people prize the opportunity to be as eco-friendly as possible. Beyond just shopping at a local farmer's market, you might also want to look toward having a green funeral. An eco-friendly fune...

How To Properly Store An Urn In Your Home

When a loved one passes away, you want to do what you can to honour them and the life they lived. For many people, this means storing their loved one's ashes somewhere in their home. While keeping ...

Female-Owned Winnipeg Funeral Home Reflects On Five Years In Business As International Women’s Day Is Celebrated

WINNIPEG, MB:  Alterna Cremation, an alternative funeral home focused on dignified and direct cremation services, is in its fifth year of business.  And, with International Women’s Day be...

Burial & Cremation Cost Comparison: Understanding The Financial Implications

When a loved one passes away, several decisions must be made for the funeral. For many families, one of the most difficult decisions is whether to bury their beloved or have them cremated—and it of...

How To Talk To Kids About Death

Death is an inevitable part of life, but many parents face a unique challenge when a loved one passes on: Telling their kids and explaining what death means. Young children may have a hard time pro...