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Mortuary Makeup information

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$9

$25

$66

How much do mortuary makeup jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for mortuary makeup in the United States is $25.29, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.83 and $24.04 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by mortuary makeup artists and how can they be addressed?

Mortuary makeup artists often encounter unique challenges such as working with various skin conditions, postmortem changes, and requests for specific appearances from grieving families. Adapting techniques to restore natural skin tones and features while maintaining the dignity of the deceased requires specialized products and sensitivity. Open communication with families, continual skill development, and collaboration with funeral directors and embalmers can help address these challenges and ensure respectful, high-quality service.

How to get into mortician makeup?

To become proficient in mortuary makeup, individuals typically complete a mortuary science program that includes training in cosmetic techniques, anatomy, and embalming. Gaining hands-on experience through apprenticeships or internships and obtaining relevant certifications can enhance skills and job prospects in this specialized field.

What is a mortuary makeup job called?

A mortuary makeup job is typically called mortuary or funeral makeup artist. This role involves applying cosmetics to the deceased to restore a natural appearance for viewing and funeral services, often requiring knowledge of embalming and special techniques. Certification or training in mortuary science or cosmetology is usually necessary.

What are mortuary makeup artists?

Mortuary makeup artists, also known as mortuary cosmetologists or restorative artists, are professionals who specialize in applying makeup and other cosmetic techniques to deceased individuals. Their work is essential in preparing the deceased for viewings, funerals, and visitations, helping to restore a natural and peaceful appearance. These artists often use specialized products and techniques to address post-mortem changes, bruising, or injuries, ensuring that loved ones can say their goodbyes in a comforting environment.

Do funeral homes hire makeup artists?

Yes, funeral homes often hire makeup artists to perform restorative and cosmetic work on the deceased to ensure a natural appearance for viewings and services. These roles typically require skills in special effects makeup, attention to detail, and sometimes certification in mortuary cosmetology or related fields.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Mortuary Makeup Artist, and why are they important?

To excel as a Mortuary Makeup Artist, a background in cosmetology, specialized training in restorative art, and attention to detail are essential. Familiarity with mortuary cosmetics, airbrushing tools, and sanitization protocols is typically required, and some states may require funeral service licensure or certification. Compassion, discretion, and strong communication skills are crucial for supporting grieving families and collaborating with funeral directors. These competencies ensure the respectful and dignified presentation of the deceased, providing comfort to loved ones during a sensitive time.

What is the difference between Mortuary Makeup vs Embalmer?

AspectMortuary MakeupEmbalmer
Required CredentialsSpecialized training in cosmetic application, certifications in mortuary makeupLicensing and certification in embalming and restorative arts
Work EnvironmentFuneral homes, mortuaries, preparation roomsFuneral homes, embalming labs, mortuaries
Industry UsageFocuses on cosmetic restoration and appearance enhancementFocuses on body preservation and restorative procedures

Mortuary Makeup primarily involves cosmetic application to restore or enhance the appearance of the deceased, requiring specialized makeup skills and certifications. Embalmers, on the other hand, perform body preservation and restorative procedures, often holding licensing in embalming techniques. While both roles work within funeral services and may overlap in the mortuary setting, their core responsibilities and credentials differ significantly.

How much do corpse makeup artists make?

Corpses makeup artists, also known as mortuary makeup artists, typically earn between $30,000 and $60,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and employer. They often work in funeral homes or mortuary settings and may need certification or specialized training to perform their duties.
More about Mortuary Makeup jobs
What states have the most Mortuary Makeup jobs? States with the most job openings for Mortuary Makeup jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Mortuary Makeup jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Mortuary Makeup jobs are:
Mortuary Makeup jobs near you
Infographic showing various Mortuary Makeup job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,605 per year, or $25.3 per hour.
Funeral Director

Funeral Director

Service Corporation International

Brookline, MA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 15 days ago

Service Corporation International rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 90 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

3rd of 8 rated funeral services

Job description

Our associates celebrate lives. We celebrate our associates.
Compassionately facilitates funeral arrangement discussions with deceased next of kin and presides over visitation, funeral, and graveside services in accordance with family's wishes; company expectations; and local, state, or federal laws. As the licensed Funeral Director, responsible for the compliance with all mortuary, health, and vital statistics regulation compliance within the funeral establishment(s).
Job Responsibilities
Arrangements Conference
  • Receives or initiates call to deceased next of kin. Exhibiting concern and empathy, obtains or confirms deceased and family contact information, briefly discusses needs (including languages), schedules Arrangement appointment, and emails appointment confirmation.
  • May perform removals or transfers adhering to company standards and processes. Cares for deceased in a respectful manner. Updates removal status in proprietary software.
  • Greets next of kin and escorts to meeting space. Initiates and facilitates Arrangements Conference while assessing needs and summarizing desired outcomes. Discusses available life insurance and available benefits, such as Veteran. Promotes funeral, cemetery, and crematory services and merchandise such as catering, flowers, music, and Ever Lasting Memory products.
  • Transitions Arrangement Conference to Funeral Services Counselor/Advisor to present cemetery property and merchandise options, pricing, and contract completion. In absence of an FSA/FSC, may perform FSA/FSC responsibilities.
  • Responsible for reviewing and authorizing merchandise and service contract revisions.

Directing Services
  • Confirms authorization to proceed with service Arrangements. Presides as Master of Ceremonies (MC) for visitation, funeral, or graveside services in a professional, organized, and caring manner consistent with Company standards. Shall be present for graveside services included in the purchase agreement. Shall be present when the casket containing a human body is placed in a grave, crypt, or burial vault and verifies that any personal belongings are removed from the deceased prior to burial per the Arrangements.
  • Visually inspects deceased, adjusts casket dressing, deceased attire or makeup, or communicates concerns to preparation staff. Visually inspects Services Arrangements (visitation, funeral, or graveside) against contractual arrangements and the next of kin expectations; initiates corrective action as appropriate; may provide instruction or guidance to services team members.
  • Interacts with the family to fulfill the death care requests. While interacting with family and guests, obtains leads for pre-need services.

Event Planning
  • Perform a variety of event planning responsibilities including but not limited to resource planning and ordering of music, flowers, or catering to fulfill Arrangement requests. Produces MeM products that may include scanning photos, ordering of memorabilia or stationary, creating electronic presentations, writing obituaries, and creating on-line memorials. Prior to event, prepares event room including but not limited to set-up chairs, tables, flowers, guest books, and appropriate décor. Post event cleans chairs, tables, floors, proper storage of items, identifies property in need of repair, and courier/deliver family memorabilia to home.
  • May perform a variety of attendant duties including but not limited to parking lot attendant, driver, usher, pallbearer, or courier.
  • May attend community or charity events to represent and promote the location or market.

General
  • Works under general guidance. New associates are learning to apply licensure to business environment complying with regulations, policies, and procedures; work may be peer reviewed for accuracy, quality, and education; collaborates with peers or manager for assistance and guidance. Exhibits accountability for behaviors. Ensures compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
  • Takes the initiative to discuss assignments, expectations, priorities and deadlines as well as seek guidance and coaching from manager. Notifies manager when workload is light and volunteers for additional work. Adjusts effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements or cultures. Additional responsibilities as requested or assigned.

Minimum requirements
Education & Licenses
  • Graduated from an accredited school or college of mortuary science
  • Current Funeral Director license within the practicing state
  • Valid state driver's license with an acceptable driving record required to operate company owned vehicles

Experience
  • Industry experience is preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Cognitive Ability including reason, plan, identify problems, learn quickly, learn from experience, and appropriately apply learning to new situations.
  • Process and results oriented, motivated to keep projects moving ahead by removing obstacles and exploring alternatives
  • Must have a positive attitude, a drive to continually advance your understanding of the industry and business, and is highly self-motivated
  • Ability to build professional and trusting business relations
  • Professional written and verbal communication skills
  • Public speaking skills with the ability to influence and gain consensus
  • Proficient using databases in automated processes
  • Proficient MS Office skills

Work conditions
  • Environment - Work is both indoors and outdoors during all seasons and weather
  • Attire - professional business attire required when in contact with families
  • Postures - Frequent continuous period of time sitting or standing up to 6 hours per day; frequently climbing stairs to access buildings
  • Physical Demands - Physical effort requiring manual dexterity is required, includes paperwork, calculators, computers and phone usage
  • Ability to push and pull up to 150 pounds on flat and inclined flooring or ramps
  • Hours: Flexibility of availability may be necessary as services may occur outside of normal business hours and working nights and weekends is frequently necessary

Pay: $28.00-40.00 per hour
Benefits: Medical*Dental*Vision*Flexible Spending Accounts (health care and dependent care)*Health Savings Account with Company Contribution*Sick Leave*Short-Term Disability*Long-Term Disability*Life Insurance*Voluntary Accidental Death or Dismemberment Insurance*Dependent Life Insurance*SCI 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with Company match*Employee Assistance Program
Postal Code: 02445
Category (Portal Searching): Operations
Job Location: US-MA - Brookline

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