A funeral director helps plan and conduct funerals, while an embalmer prepares the body for burial. They may work together in smaller funeral homes, but in larger operations, there may be multiple embalmers and a single funeral director. The funeral director also handles paperwork related to the death.
Finally, the main difference between a funeral director and an embalmer is that the funeral director helps the family in the process of planning and conducting the funeral, while the embalmer performs the physical preparation of the body for burial. Together, the funeral director and the embalmer often care for a body before burial and help the family at the funeral, making sure that the final wishes are respected as much as possible. In smaller funeral homes, the same person may perform the jobs of funeral director and embalmer, but in larger operations, there may be multiple embalmers and a single funeral director. A funeral director is often the face of the funeral home that people often see, while an embalmer works behind the scenes.
When a person dies, the embalmer prepares the body for burial. This typically includes a thorough cleaning with germicidal soap and a complete replacement of the person’s blood with embalming fluid in order to preserve the body. He can also repair any disfiguring injuries, such as those incurred in an accident, and apply makeup to make the dead person appear almost alive.
While the embalmer’s many tasks take place behind the scenes, the funeral director is very visible, meeting with families and helping to plan the final arrangements. The funeral director provides guidance to a family that has lost a loved one, helping them make decisions about where to have funeral services, the type of services, and when to perform them. Together, the funeral director and embalmer can offer assistance in dressing the deceased, preparing for burial, and offering advice on what jewelry or other items may be buried with the deceased, although usually the embalmer communicates through the director.
In addition to the jobs that the funeral director and embalmer have in dealing with the deceased and all necessary funeral arrangements, the funeral director also handles a large amount of paperwork related to the death. The appropriate documents are submitted so that a death certificate can be issued, usually by the state or other locality where the person resided. Funeral directors often help people who have to deal with financial matters such as pensions and annuities, and directors can also offer advice on dealing with wills and documents that the deceased may have left behind.
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