NATIONAL FUNERAL DIRECTOR AND MORTICIAN RECOGNITION DAY – March 11

NATIONAL FUNERAL DIRECTOR AND MORTICIAN RECOGNITION DAY

National Funeral Director and Mortician Recognition Day on March 11th reminds us to thank the professionals who consider every need during the most challenging time in our lives.

#FuneralDirectorMorticianRecognition

Funeral directors and morticians dedicate their lives to helping us celebrate our loved ones. They bring together the memories and achievements of someone we’ve lost to death. With professional guidance and compassion, funeral directors help with every step of planning a funeral. While the news settles, these experts understand how emotional and stressful the process is.

Funeral directors come equipped with a perfect skillset. Their compassion and excellent organizational skills guide us through a celebration of someone we loved dearly. In addition, being a funeral director means being a good listener, a skill many of them have in spades.

They work hard to attain their skills, too. Both morticians and funeral directors study mortuary science, attaining an associate degree or higher. A 1-3 year apprenticeship follows their degree. Funeral directors must be licensed.

Beyond their training, funeral directors know how to put people at ease. When we grieve, the pain of loss takes on many different faces. Funeral directors act as guides and help to fulfill the wishes of our loved ones. When the pain and suffering ends, the mortician and funeral director provide a sense of peace and unity at a time that can seem chaotic even at its best.

HOW TO OBSERVE FUNERAL DIRECTOR AND MORTICIAN RECOGNITION

• Thank a funeral director or a mortician for their time and care. Show your appreciation of their services and recognize the work they do in one of several ways:
• Send a thank you card letting them know how much their services mean to you.
• Recommend their services to others.
• Preplan your funeral. Put your funeral in the hands of the business that has proven to you they can care for your family.
• Share your experiences as a funeral director or mortician.
• Use #FuneralDirectorMorticianRecognition to share on social media.

NATIONAL FUNERAL DIRECTOR & MORTICIAN RECOGNITION DAY HISTORY

In 2008, Congress passed a resolution designating March 11th as National Funeral Director and Mortician Recognition Day.

Funeral Director & Mortician FAQ

Q. Are funeral directors and morticians the same thing?
A. In many circumstances, the terms are interchangeable. A funeral director is considered a more modern term for preparing the body for burial and assisting the family in planning services.

Q. What are the different kinds of ceremonies that take place after the death of a loved one?
A. We remember and memorialize those who’ve died in several different ways.

• Vigils – Wakes, Shmira, and other types of vigils involve family and close friends watching over the deceased and the family in the days immediately after the death.
• Viewing – Many families choose to include a viewing as part of the funeral process. The time is for friends and family to view the deceased, say final goodbyes, and visit with the family. The occasion is less formal than a funeral, and visitors may come any time during the scheduled time.
• Funeral – A funeral is a formal service that often includes speakers, prayer, poems, and songs. Religious and spiritual traditions may be included and often are.
• Memorial Service – A memorial service is similar to a funeral, but the deceased body is not available for viewing. This type of service is sometimes held weeks or months after a funeral service so that family who lives far away can attend and pay their respects. A memorial service is also performed when the deceased has been cremated.