Mortuary Science

[MailGuy!]

My wife and I are strongly considering pursuing a career in Mortuary services. Is there anyone on genvibe that has completed the required college courses and been licensed or anyone that has family or friends that has chosen this for their occupation?If so, please offer your thoughts and any pros and cons you can think of. We have the utmost respect for the dead and feel we have something to offer the world in this regard.Silver, is this what your father does?

[MailGuy!]

Thank you.Yeah, I was on that first link yesterday. We are currently trying to find as much info. as we can about the school in CT and the school in AZ. We may relocate to the east coast to pursue this.

[MailGuy!]

Well people in New England are much more genuine than people in AZ. Also the cemeteries are beautiful there. When I was young I would go to cemeteries in my free time in CT to think and be in a quiet, serene place. Cemeteries in Az seem to be an afterthought.And customer service is lacking here in every aspect including, I'm sure, funeral services. Last year when attending my best friend's funeral in CT I was very appreciative of the funeral home's proffesionalism. They catered to his family's every need in a way you do not see much in any business these days. I would like to help people in their time of need.

[MailGuy!]

How did your father get into the field?

[MailGuy!]

Cool. Hard work definately does pay off. Thanks Silver.

[Mr. Poopypants]

A guy I bowl and play softball with is an undertaker. He makes an incredible living. No matter what, people die and someone has to take care of it. I would highly recommend the field. As far as the courses go I will have to talk to him. But he loves what he does.

[MailGuy!]

Great, it's a field that is seeing a lot of growth, for obvious reasons-Pop. growth ,etc. Let me know if you get to talk to him.

[Mr. Poopypants]

I will see him next saturday, if I remember, I will ask him for ya.

[pmh013]

I've always wondered what it is about this line of work that would make someone want to do this for a living. Personally, I don't think that I ever could. Not because I think that death is gruesome or horrible, I just consider it a fact, but it's the loss that I just couldn't deal with every day. I'd be bawling my head off with the family, and don't think I'd really be that much help.Most of those occupations where you deal with people in general make me cringe. Health care, retail, food services. Irrational people is what it comes down to I guess. Not that they don't have the right to be upset when they're hurt or got shoddy service, but I'm just not the right kind of person to deal with that.I guess that's why I chose engineering: steel doesn't die, numbers don't suffer.Maybe a good way to find out more would be to contact your local funeral home and ask for recommendations about schools and such?

[MailGuy!]

Death has always scared and fascinated me. I would have to take the intro courses to see if it is really for me. I think the emotional challenge would be intense, but I guess, just like being a cop, fireman, paramedic or many of the other occupations where death is inevitable, you have to detach yourself somewhat.Switching gears here for a lighter side. Do you think the Vibe would make a good hearse? With the front folding psngr. seat I think the average coffin would fit. Tie downs would keep it from sliding around too.

[Jahntassa]

You could probably get one stretched out a bit... Although, being a unibody, I have NO idea how much trouble that would be... But if you brought the back end out another foot or so... Hm..

[MailGuy!]

Quote, originally posted by Jahntassa »You could probably get one stretched out a bit... Although, being a unibody, I have NO idea how much trouble that would be... Hm..The current DeVille is unibody and Professional Funeral coaches are often made from that chassis. Of course Cadillac sends them out with special reinforcements and wiring packages specifically for Hearse/Limo service.I like Hearses.For a good laugh for any of you Car and Driver readers out there, look back to the December issue for the letters from readers. They printed my letter about how I think the new Cadillac SRX wagon would make an awesome hearse.

[Stang2Vibe]

I'm a fan of classic Caddies and in my searches on the net for info on them, I've run across several car clubs just for people who like to collect/restore classic hearses and other "service vehicles". One of the sites had a link to a hearse manufacturer that actually makes horse-drawn hearses. I thought it was kinda interesting, so I clicked on it and checked it out a bit. They were quite beautiful.