.svg)
It's time to recognize and honor the important work of funeral directors and morticians on National Funeral Director & Mortician Recognition Day on March 11! This day is a celebration of those who have dedicated their lives to helping families cope with loss. Funeral Directors have been around since ancient times, providing vital services that help preserve memories and bring comfort during difficult times. Morticians are also essential in preparing bodies for burial or cremation according to cultural customs. Today we thank them for their compassionate service and hard work!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1800s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Early Funeral Homes</div><div class='timeline-text'>Funeral homes began to appear in the U.S. during the 19th century, often as family-run businesses, helping families take care of the deceased.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1864</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Embalming Surge</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Civil War increased the need for embalming practices so soldiers could be returned home for burial.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1895</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Mortuary Science School</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Cincinnati College of Embalming was established as the first mortuary science school in the US, highlighting the increasing professionalism of the industry.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1960</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Hospice Movement</div><div class='timeline-text'>The modern hospice movement began transforming end-of-life care, leading to changes in the role of funeral directors and morticians.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1984</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>NFDA Code of Ethics</div><div class='timeline-text'>The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) established a formal code of ethics, further professionalizing the industry.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2008</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Recognition Day Established</div><div class='timeline-text'>The National Funeral Director and Mortician Recognition Day was established to honor the contributions of these professionals to society.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Send a thank you note</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Show your appreciation by sending a handwritten thank you note to your local funeral director or mortician. A small gesture of gratitude can go a long way in letting these individuals know how much their services are valued.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a dinner</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite your local funeral directors and morticians to a dinner to thank them for their hard work and dedication to their profession. You could even make the dinner theme related to funerals, such as “A Night at the Cemetery”.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Make a donation</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Honor your local funeral directors and morticians by making a donation in their name to a charitable organization of your choice. This is an excellent way to recognize their valuable contributions without breaking the bank.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a fundraiser</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>If you have the time and resources, organize a fundraiser in honor of funeral directors and morticians on National Funeral Director and Mortician Recognition Day. You could even make it an annual event!</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Give out awards</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Recognize outstanding funeral directors and morticians with awards for excellence in their field. This will show them that their hard work does not go unnoticed.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>They provide an essential service</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Funeral directors and morticians provide an essential service to their community. They are responsible for handling tasks related to the process of a person’s death, from making funeral arrangements to carrying out the necessary legal paperwork. Without them, many families would be overwhelmed during an already difficult time.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>They listen to family needs</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Funeral directors and morticians go above and beyond just taking care of the administrative and logistics tasks related to a person’s passing. They spend time getting to know the family’s needs and create personalized services that honor their loved one’s life.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>They give families closure</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The loss of a loved one is always hard, but when handled with care and compassion by funeral directors and morticians, it can help bring closure for the family in a time of grief. The professionals have the experience necessary to handle the details so that families can focus on saying goodbye in a meaningful way.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Funeral Directors are Skilled Professionals who Regularly Undertake Continuing Education</h3><p class='facts-content'>Funeral directors are licensed professionals who must meet both experiential and educational requirements, including undertaking continuing education. This ensures they keep up-to-date with contemporary funeral service practices.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Morticians are also Expert Embalmers</h3><p class='facts-content'>Morticians have specialized training in embalming and restorative arts, skills that both preserve the deceased and help present a comforting image of the departed to bereaved relatives.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Funeral Directors Guide Families through Grief and Loss</h3><p class='facts-content'>Funeral directors often play a large role in helping families navigate their grief journey. They provide resources and guidance for coping with loss, making them crucial figures in mental health support.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>There are More than 33,000 Funeral Directors and Morticians in the U.S.</h3><p class='facts-content'>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 33,700 jobs for morticians, undertakers, and funeral directors in 2020. It reveals the magnitude of this profession in our society.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Mortuary Science has Evolved Over Centuries</h3><p class='facts-content'>The art of preparing the deceased for final disposition has evolved across cultures and centuries. From early Egyptian embalming procedures to 19th-century advancements in America, mortuary science combines tradition and technology in unique ways.</p></div></div>
National Funeral Director and Mortician Recognition Day is celebrated on March 11th every year. In 2024, the holiday will fall on a Monday.
2023
Mar 11
Saturday
2024
Mar 11
Monday
2025
Mar 11
Tuesday
2026
Mar 11
Wednesday
2027
Mar 11
Thursday
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
