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Morgue Jobs in Portage, MI (NOW HIRING)

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Morgue information

See Portage, MI salary details

$4

$19

$25

How much do morgue jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for morgue in Portage, MI is $19.09, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.56 and $23.27 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some of the unique challenges faced by professionals working in a morgue environment?

Professionals working in a morgue often encounter emotional and physical challenges, such as exposure to traumatic situations, handling deceased individuals, and working with grieving families. The environment requires strict adherence to safety and health protocols, as well as meticulous attention to detail in documentation and evidence preservation. Team members regularly collaborate with forensic pathologists, law enforcement, and medical examiners to ensure thorough and respectful case management. Strong emotional resilience and professionalism are essential for success in this field.

What are jobs in a morgue?

There are a variety of positions in a morgue, including attendants, pathologists, and security guards. In a mortuary role, you may assist in the preparation of a body for a funeral service or burial, provide cremation services, or perform an autopsy on a deceased individual. Some details of this job vary by location. For example, morgues at universities may focus on donations for science, while morgues in hospitals take donated organs before proceeding to other tasks. Morgue jobs often involve using surgical instruments for postmortem examinations, and you may work on heavily damaged bodies. The ability to remain professional while exposed to death and extremely upsetting sights is essential to this position.

What is the difference between Morgue vs Medical Examiner?

AspectMorgueMedical Examiner
CredentialsNone required; often medical or forensic trainingMedical degree and forensic pathology certification
Work EnvironmentFacilities where bodies are stored and preparedOffices, autopsy suites, and crime scenes
Employer & IndustryHospitals, funeral homes, forensic labsGovernment agencies, hospitals, forensic institutes
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for roles in death care and forensic workLegal and forensic investigations of deaths

The main difference is that a morgue is a facility where bodies are stored and prepared, while a medical examiner is a trained forensic doctor who investigates deaths. Medical examiners perform autopsies and determine causes of death, whereas morgues serve as the location for these processes. Both roles are essential in forensic and death care industries but serve different functions within the process of death investigation.

Can I work at a morgue with no experience?

Working as a morgue attendant or technician typically requires some training or certification, but entry-level positions may be available to those without prior experience. On-the-job training is common, and skills such as attention to detail and the ability to handle sensitive situations are important. Certification in areas like bloodborne pathogens may be required or preferred.
More about Morgue jobs

What cities near Portage, MI are hiring for Morgue jobs?

Cities near Portage, MI with the most Morgue job openings:

Morgue jobs near you
Infographic showing various Morgue job openings in Portage, MI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $39,712 per year, or $19.1 per hour.

Forensic Autopsy Technician I

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, MI • On-site

$17.47 - $20.37/hr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago

Western Michigan University rating

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 30 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

487th of 618 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Description
The Forensic Autopsy Technician prepares bodies for postmortem examinations, assists pathologist
during and after the examination, and prepares body for release to funeral home; provide medical
photography services. Provides support with transfer of cadavers to anatomy laboratory and into storage,
maintenance of cadavers and the anatomy lab, and assisting with prosections of cadavers, as needed.
Performs routine and non-routine activities involved in the storage, filing, and preparation of slides for
microscopic evaluation and adheres to established quality control criteria and established procedures.
BENEFITS
  • Wellness reimbursement.
  • Continuing education and tuition reimbursement.
  • Employer-funded retirement plan.
  • Two medical plan options: PPO and High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with employer HSA contribution.
  • Flexible work solutions based on position and department.
  • Up to four weeks of PTO accrual beginning in year one.
  • Paid holidays.
  • Paid volunteer time.
  • Paid preferred holiday.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Coordinates workload to complete assignments within requested time frame. Prepares paperwork and tools to accomplish the daily workload.
  • Responsible for the receipt, identification and transfer of all decedents into and out of WMed, maintaining chain of custody protocols in accordance with WMed protocols and in compliance with standards set forth by the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME).
  • Performs postmortem radiography according to safety standards, including Lodox ®, Carestream, computed tomography (CT) and assists with postmortem dental radiography, as needed.
  • Responsible for the collection and preservation of clothing, physical and biological evidence for forensic analysis. Documents and maintains evidentiary materials in accordance with established policies and procedures, including chain of custody protocols compliant with standards set forth by NAME.
  • Responsible for the collection, appropriate labeling, documentation and packaging of specimens for toxicological analysis maintaining chain of custody protocols and in accordance with NAME standards.
  • Documents external examination, including: verification of decedent identification, photographs and documents all personal belongings and items pertinent to examination, including medical treatment, decedent identifiers and evidentiary materials, if applicable.
  • Under direct supervision of the assigned pathologist, performs in situ dissection of the autopsy procedure, including the identification, observation and evisceration of organs and tissues from the chest, abdomen and head.
  • Responsible for the documentation of examination information, observations, weights, and measurements following established procedures. Photographs medical/forensic materials with accurate labeling, uploads digital photographs to case management system.
  • Following examination, prepares decedent for funeral home and notifies funeral home and/or transport service, if applicable. Documents all communication.
  • With supervision, oversees the release of decedents to funeral homes and/or appropriate transport services.
  • Maintains morgue organization and cleanliness; ensures surfaces are free of blood and body fluids.
  • Disposes of hazardous waste and specimen storage appropriately.
  • Responsible for maintaining daily log of cooler inventory of decedents and specimens, temperature monitoring and laboratory supplies.
  • Practices universal precautions and follows infection control policies and procedures accordingly.
  • Assists in the Anatomy Laboratory, including support with transfer of cadavers, maintenance of cadavers, and cleanliness.
  • Assists in the Anthropology Laboratory, as needed, transferring decedents/specimens and decedents for examination.
  • Attends and engages in all unit and departmental meetings.
  • Maintains a clean and well-organized work area
  • At times, may be responsible for cleaning up bodily fluids from decedents/cadavers outside of department.
  • Availability to work weekends and holidays.
  • Availability to work occasional overtime or evenings to complete time sensitive projects.
  • Availability to provide on-call, overnight customer service with occasional response to morgue for time sensitive release procedures.
  • Availability to work occasional overtime on weekends or evenings to complete time sensitive projects.
  • Acquires knowledge for new technology and policy/procedure revisions
  • All other duties as assigned.

Requirements
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
  • Associate degree; or two years of college in a scientific or applicable field, preferred.
  • Knowledge of anatomy and medical terminology, preferred.
  • Previous volunteer or work experience in a medical or patient care setting, required.
  • Experience labeling, managing, organizing, and shipping samples, preferred.
  • Experience operating cassette and slide printing equipment, preferred.
  • Experience operating laboratory equipment, including centrifuge and specimen labeling printers, preferred.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS:
  • Current valid Driver's License required.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
  • Comfortable communicating with grieving individuals.
  • The ability to follow detailed oral and written directions and protocols.
  • Ability to attend to human remains in various stages of decomposition, disease and trauma.
  • Able to cope with the psychological effects of death.
  • Maintain the confidentiality and integrity of information.
  • Ability to adhere to stringent sanitation and biohazard control measures.
  • Demonstrates the ability to recognize priorities in organization of work flow.
  • Able to perform duties independently, with a minimal need for direct supervision.

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