When it comes to unique and challenging professions, being a mortician is often on the top of the list. However, what if you’re a mortician working overseas in a foreign country, like New Zealand? In this blog post, we’ll delve into the life of an overseas mortician in New Zealand, including their job duties, challenges they face, and what their daily life looks like.
Job Duties of a Mortician in New Zealand
As a mortician in New Zealand, you’ll be responsible for many different duties related to the preparation of deceased individuals for funerals and cremations.
Some of these duties may include:
- Embalming: One of the main duties of a mortician is to embalm the deceased. This process involves injecting a special fluid into the body to preserve it and slow down the decomposition process.
- Cosmetic work: Morticians also often perform cosmetic work on the deceased to make them look presentable for viewings and funerals. This can include things like applying makeup and fixing hair.
- Arranging funerals: Morticians may also be involved in arranging funerals and cremations. This can include coordinating with family members and funeral homes to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
- Transporting bodies: Morticians may also be responsible for transporting bodies from hospitals or other locations to the funeral home.
- Paperwork: Finally, morticians are often responsible for completing paperwork related to the deceased, such as death certificates and other legal documents.
Challenges of Being an Overseas Mortician in New Zealand
While being a mortician in any country can be challenging, there are some unique challenges to working as an overseas mortician in New Zealand. These may include:
- Cultural differences: Working in a foreign country can come with cultural differences that can affect your job. For example, funeral customs and traditions may be different in New Zealand than in your home country.
- Language barriers: Depending on your level of fluency in English, language barriers could also be a challenge. As a mortician, it’s important to be able to communicate effectively with both family members and other funeral professionals.
- Different laws and regulations: New Zealand has its own laws and regulations related to funeral homes and morticians. As an overseas mortician, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with these regulations to ensure that you’re following them.
Daily Life of an Overseas Mortician in New Zealand
So, what does the daily life of an overseas mortician in New Zealand look like? While every day can be different, here’s a general overview of what you might expect:
- Arrive at work: Most morticians work regular hours, typically Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. You’ll likely start your day by arriving at the funeral home and checking your schedule for the day.
- Prepare bodies: If you have bodies in your care, you’ll spend time preparing them for funerals or cremations. This could include embalming, cosmetic work, and dressing the body.
- Meet with families: Depending on your schedule, you may also have meetings with families to discuss funeral arrangements and answer any questions they may have.
- Complete paperwork: As a mortician, you’ll also spend time completing paperwork related to the deceased. This may include death certificates, permits, and other legal documents.
Clean and maintain equipment: Finally, you’ll spend time cleaning and maintaining your equipment to ensure that it’s in good working order for the next funeral.
How much can you expect to make?
The median salary for a mortician in New Zealand is NZ$50,000 per year. This can vary depending on experience and location. In general, the more experience you have, the higher your salary will be. Additionally, you may also receive bonuses or other benefits from your employer.
In addition to a competitive salary, many employers offer other perks, such as job-related training and discounts on funeral supplies. Additionally, many employers also provide flexible hours, allowing you to work around your family and personal commitments.
Overall, being a mortician in New Zealand can be both financially and personally rewarding. With the right attitude and dedication, you can have a successful career in this field.
Qualifications
In order to work as a mortician in New Zealand, you’ll need certain qualifications. Depending on the position and employer, you may be required to have a degree or certification in mortuary science. You may also be expected to take continuing education courses related to the field in order to stay up-to-date with best practices and changes in the industry.
Additionally, you’ll also need to be familiar with New Zealand’s laws and regulations related to funeral homes and morticians. This includes areas such as health and safety, embalming and cremation standards, licensing requirements, and more.
Beyond qualifications, most employers are also looking for individuals who have strong communication skills, are organized and detail-oriented, and have the ability to remain professional in difficult situations.
Conclusion
Being an overseas mortician in New Zealand can be a challenging yet rewarding career choice. While there are unique challenges to working in a foreign country, the job duties and daily life of a mortician are similar to those in other countries. If you’re interested in this profession, it’s important to familiarize yourself with local laws and regulations, as well as cultural differences that may affect your job. With the right skills and knowledge, you can be successful in this role.