Working in a Morgue: An Overview
Working in a morgue requires tenacity, resilience, respect, and determination. While working in a morgue isn’t necessarily one of the best known career paths, it’s an essential role that helps the country manage its deceased with kindness and respect. If you’re interested in learning about working in a morgue, this article is for you!
What is working in a morgue like?
All morgue careers can be a challenging, yet rewarding experience. They require a strong stomach, attention to detail, and emotional resilience. The environment is typically quiet and highly controlled, with a focus on maintaining cleanliness, safety, and respect for the deceased. When you’re tasked with managing a dead body at a morgue, these aforementioned qualities are paramount. Tasks often include assisting with autopsies, preparing bodies for examinations, handling specimens, and maintaining records, all while following strict protocols to prevent contamination. The job can involve exposure to decomposed bodies and graphic injuries, which may be emotionally taxing. However, for those drawn to the field, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the understanding of someone’s death, support grieving families, and play a critical role in forensic investigations.
What is a morgue technician?
A morgue technician, also known as a mortuary technician or diener, is a professional who assists with the day-to-day operations of a morgue, typically working under the supervision of a forensic pathologist or medical examiner. Their responsibilities include preparing bodies for autopsy, handling and labeling specimens, maintaining and sterilizing equipment, and ensuring that the morgue is clean and organized. They may also assist in the actual autopsy by opening the body, removing organs, and taking samples. Morgue technicians play a critical role in the forensic process, providing essential support to ensure that autopsies and other examinations are conducted efficiently and respectfully.
What is a morgue technician’s salary?
The average salary of a morgue technician in the United States typically ranges from $35,000 to $50,000 per year. The exact amount can vary depending on factors like location, level of experience, education, and the type of facility where they work (e.g., a hospital, medical examiner's office, or forensic laboratory).
Who works in a morgue?
There are several morgue positions ranging from assistants to doctors, each playing a different role in the handling and examination of deceased individuals. Here are some key positions that morgue workers hold:
1. Forensic pathologists (medical examiners/morgue doctors)
- Role: Forensic pathologists are physicians who perform autopsies to determine the cause and manner of death, especially in cases of suspicious or unexplained deaths.
- Education: This role requires a medical degree (MD or DO), followed by specialized training in pathology and forensic pathology.
2. Coroners
- Role: Coroners are (typically) elected or appointed officials who may or may not be medically trained. They are responsible for determining the cause of death and signing death certificates. In some jurisdictions, coroners perform autopsies, while in others, they oversee investigations conducted by forensic pathologists.
- Education: The requirements for coroners vary by location. Some coroners have medical or forensic science backgrounds, while others do not.
3. Mortuary technicians (dieners)
- Role: Mortuary technicians, also known as mortuary assistants or mortuary techs, assist forensic pathologists with autopsies. Their duties include preparing bodies, handling specimens, cleaning equipment, and maintaining the morgue.
- Education: This role typically requires on-the-job training, although some mortuary technicians have certifications or associate degrees in related fields.
4. Forensic technicians
- Role: Forensic technicians work closely with pathologists to collect and analyze evidence from deceased individuals. They handle trace evidence, toxicology samples, and DNA.
- Education: Forensic technicians often hold a bachelor's degree in forensic science, biology, or a related field.
5. Medical examiners’ assistants
- Role: Medical examiners' assistants perform duties similar to mortuary technicians. They assist with autopsies, prepare reports, and sometimes manage administrative tasks in the morgue.
- Education: The training for this role varies, and some assistants may have medical or technical certifications.
6. Funeral directors (morticians)
- Role: Funeral directors sometimes work in morgues to prepare bodies for funerals or cremations. They handle embalming, cosmetic preparation, and body transportation.
- Education: This position typically requires an associate or bachelor's degree in mortuary science and state licensure.
7. Administrative staff
- Role: Administrative staff in morgues handle paperwork, record-keeping, and communication with families, law enforcement, and other agencies.
- Education: Educational requirements vary, but they usually include experience in administration or medical office management.
8. Forensic odontologists
- Role: Forensic odontologists are dentists who specialize in identifying deceased individuals through dental records. They are often called in for cases involving severe decomposition or disfigurement.
- Education: This position requires a dental degree (DDS or DMD) with additional training in forensic odontology.
9. Forensic anthropologists
- Role: Forensic anthropologists specialize in examining skeletal remains to determine the age, sex, ancestry, and possible cause of death.
- Education: Forensic anthropologists usually hold a master's or doctoral degree in anthropology with a focus on forensic science.
10. Forensic entomologists
- Role: Forensic entomologists study insects on and around the body to estimate the time of death.
- Education: This role typically requires a degree in entomology or forensic science.
How to work in a morgue
Finding a job in the morgue usually involves a few steps to ensure you meet the necessary qualifications and can locate good opportunities. Here’s a general guide:
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Meet the educational requirements: Most morgue technician positions require at least a high school diploma or GED, although some employers prefer candidates with an associate degree or certification in fields like forensic science, biology, mortuary science, or a related area. Taking courses in anatomy, physiology, and laboratory procedures can be beneficial.
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Gain relevant experience: Experience in a medical or laboratory setting can make you a more competitive candidate. Consider volunteering or applying for entry-level positions in hospitals, funeral homes, or medical examiner’s offices to gain hands-on experience.
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Get certified (optional): While not always required, obtaining certifications, such as a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or certification in forensic science, can enhance your resume and demonstrate your commitment to the field.
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Search for job openings: Look for job openings on job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor, or directly on websites of hospitals, medical examiners’ offices, forensic laboratories, or local government agencies. Many cities and counties have their own employment portals for public sector jobs, but it may help to narrow your search to your specific location you’re interested in serving. For example, narrow down your search to “hospital morgue jobs near me” rather than just “morgue jobs near me”.
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Network with professionals: Connect with professionals in the field through networking events, online forums, or local organizations related to forensic science or mortuary work. This can help you learn about job openings that may not be publicly advertised.
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Prepare for the application process: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills, experience, and education. Be prepared for interviews that may include questions about your comfort level with the nature of the work and your ability to handle potentially difficult situations.
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Apply and follow up: Submit applications for a job at the morgue that match your qualifications and interests, and follow up as needed. Persistence and showing genuine interest in the field can help you stand out.
Do cruise ships have a morgue? Could I get a job in a morgue on a cruise ship?
Yes, cruise ships typically have a small morgue on board to handle the possibility of a passenger or crew member passing away while at sea. These morgues are usually located in a discreet area, often on the lower decks, and are equipped with refrigeration to preserve bodies until the ship reaches port. The capacity is generally limited, with space for one to three bodies, though larger ships may accommodate more. This preparation ensures that the ship complies with international maritime laws and can handle such situations respectfully and efficiently.
Yes, it is possible to get a job in a morgue on a cruise ship, though these positions are relatively specialized and less common. Cruise ships, especially larger ones, have morgues to handle situations where a passenger or crew member dies at sea. Jobs related to morgue duties on cruise ships are often filled by those with experience in mortuary science, pathology, or related fields. These positions usually require strong knowledge of handling deceased bodies, working in high-pressure environments, and following strict health and safety protocols.
Now that you know more about working in a morgue, it can help to network with local funeral homes to see if they have any information or guidance on where to get started. Contact funeral homes near you to learn more about this profession.
