Qualifications

Qualifications

Believe it or not, being a massive horror movie fan has very little to do with getting a job as an embalmer. You might think it'll help you deal with the icky parts, but you can't really smell what's happening in the horror film.

Each state has its own set of requirements to become a licensed embalmer, but typically, you have to spend two years in Mortuary College (a real thing) or get an Associate's Degree in mortuary science (also a real thing). Classes will include a wide array of topics, from anatomy to physiology, body restoration, and even cosmetics.

You're going to have to deal with some of the gooier parts of the human body every single day, on people of every shape and size. It's one thing to watch the gore get sensationalized and color-corrected in film; it's completely different when you have to stick a tube in it and drain it into the sewer system.