Morticians’ Appearance Guidelines
A pair of morticians in Ohio have opened a business that removes tattoos from dead bodies and turns them into memorial artwork. As difficult and misunderstood as being a funeral director and embalmer can be, she does it because “it’s really rewarding." Some morticians may have no issue with tattoos, while others require they be covered on the job. It is up to the mortician to decide if they are comfortable with tattoos.
Morticians’ Requirements and Responsibilities
Morticians, often referred to as funeral directors or undertakers, assist families of the deceased by coordinating funeral details. Becoming a mortician requires an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, plus a multi-year apprenticeship. The job can be emotionally taxing, but also rewarding. Morticians must complete continuing education annually. They prepare obituaries, arrange religious services, and handle cremation or burial. Being on-call can disrupt sleep. Some have visible tattoos, while others cover them on the job.
OSHA Regulations and Tattoo Preservation
OSHA requires morticians to wear protective equipment during preparations. They may stuff the throat and nose with cotton, then suture the mouth shut. Eyes may be covered with caps or injected and filled. A Cleveland mortuary offers tattoo preservation from corpses as memorial artworks for loved ones. This skin-removal practice honors the deep bonds between the deceased, their body art, and their families. The unusual service is gaining attention across the country.