Embalmers and Mortuary Staff Survey - Independent Funeral Industry Support Services

Embalmers and Mortuary Staff

At IFISS we value the work everyone does in this industry but we also have a special understanding and respect for those of you caring directly for the deceased. We know how important it is to look after yourself so you can continue the job you were meant to do, Mortuary care.

Our mission is to provide support services to the funeral industry and promote best practice in the education and wellbeing of people employed in the industry and encourage those wanting to enter this unique field.

In order to provide a holistic approach to all our services,we need to understand your needs as mortuary care providers. This helps us tailor our programs and support accordingly.

Whether you are still working within the industry or not ,we would love to hear your thoughts and feedback on how we can support you and try to improve the retention of passionate individuals in mortuary care.

This confidential and short survey will allow us to provide the necessary resources, independent support and training to help build a resilient, professional industry driven by you.

Are you a qualified embalmer?

If Yes, How long?

Have you started but not yet completed the Cert IV in embalming?

If yes, why?

Are you an Experienced Mortuary Assistant?

Would you want to become a qualified embalmer

If no, why not?

Would you be interested in a basic mortuary care course?

Are you still working in the industry?

If no, why not?

If you are a qualified embalmer, can you see yourself as a mentor?

If no, why not?

Are you satisfied with your current role?

What changes would you like to see?

Have you considered changing locations or position in the past 12 months?

If yes, please explain

If you have considered changing job locations or roles in the past 12 months but haven’t, select three aspects that may be holding you back:

If other, please explain

Would you move interstate to work ?

If yes, which state?

When participating in professional development training, which style of learning environment do you prefer?

As a qualified embalmer, would you participate in a knowledge sharing session?

Are you looking for a new position? Register your interest confidentially here.

Other comments you think we should know?

If you would like to register your interest please enter your details

Demographic Profile – Generational Funeral Director Interviews

Age / Generation

Gender / Identity

Location

Cultural / Ethnic Background (optional)

Generation in the Business

Years of Experience in Funeral Industry

Current Role

Type of Business

Business Size / Scale

Age Entered Business

Reason for Entering

Current Succession Status

Continuing the Legacy?

If “No” — How did you communicate this decision?

Education / Training Pathway

Work-Life Balance

Community / Networking Involvement

Resilience Factors (brief notes)

What are your earliest memories of being around the funeral home?

Did you feel included, or was there pressure to be part of the business from a young age?

How did being raised in this environment shape your personal views on life, grief, and death?

Was there an expectation that you would carry on the family business?

Did you ever feel you didn’t have a real choice about entering the industry?

How did you navigate conversations with family if your career interests were different?

Looking back, do you think the “family expectation” was a help or a burden?

For those who considered not continuing the legacy, what was that experience like?

How do you say “no” to a family legacy without damaging relationships?

Were there moments when you wanted to walk away — and what stopped you, or what made you actually step back?

If you hadn’t gone into funerals, what do you imagine you’d be doing now?

What were the hardest moments for you in reconciling personal goals with family expectations?

How did you build resilience when the work became overwhelming or emotionally draining?

Have you developed ways to separate your identity from the business?

How important was it for you to find mentors or peers outside your own family?

Did networking help you see other ways of doing things, and perhaps give you confidence to make your own career choices?

Do you feel the community views you differently because of being part of a generational funeral family?

What differences do you notice between your approach and that of your parents or grandparents?

How has each generation viewed “success” in the business differently?

Do you think future generations will feel more freedom to say no, or more pressure to carry on?

What’s been the biggest reward of carrying on (or stepping away from) the family business?

How do you want to be remembered — as a custodian of the family tradition, or as someone who forged a different path?

What advice would you give to the next generation about handling family expectations and making their own decisions?

Final thoughts/Notes