Are you interested in working in the transport industry? If yes, you should become a Hearse Driver.
Hearse drivers are famous for operating and maintaining unique vehicles to transport deceased persons from their homes, hospital, or funeral home to their final resting places.
However, read on and discover the educational requirements and job description of Hearse drivers and get started on your career.
Hearse Driver.
The transport industry has so many areas.
From commercial drivers to E-transport drivers every area of this sector needs the services of a skilled driver and hearse drivers are not left out of this opportunity.
These professionals help in transporting the remains of the deceased from funeral homes to burial or cremation sites.
Hearse drivers used vans, limousines, coaches, and other kinds very close to conveying coffins to their final resting place.
These professionals also assist in loading, carrying, and unloading coffins from the mortuary to the resting place.
To be successful in this career you need to obtain the right license knowledge and skill set.
In addition Hearse drivers also help funeral coordinators with their duties. In most cases, hearse drivers are called chauffeur funeral car drivers or funeral drivers.
How To Become A Hearse Driver.
These are some processes one needs to go through before one can become a Hearse Driver.
1. Secure A Driving License
Before you can become a Hearse Driver you must have completed a high school diploma, GED, and a driver’s license.
These qualifications make it a lot easier to obtain Certification in this career.
Although the requirements for obtaining a driver’s license divers by country, you would typically need to prove that you are medically fit to take up your career as a Hearse Driver, complete a training program, pass your driving test, and pay the required fee for Hearse driving.
In early 2000, no country required a license that is more than a driver’s license for Hearse drivers but as of today, you must obtain Certification and training before you can be a professional in this field.
2. Gain Driving Experience
You cannot become a Hearse Driver without us having some years of driving experience.
You can start as a chauffeur or taxi driver before you start your career as a Hearse Driver. One must fully be aware of the driving rules and regulations before embarking on searching for a Hearse driving job.
Ensure your driver’s license is valid before applying to work as a hearse driver in any organization.
In addition, in most countries, drivers need a special license to be a chauffeur or taxi drivers.
In many countries, the requirements for obtaining a Hearse driver’s license are quite similar to getting a regular driving license.
Apart from assisting you in gaining driving experience, taxi driving or chauffeuring helps you improve your knowledge of local road systems and traffic patterns and the best ways to knowledge of motoring regulations.
To gain knowledge of funeral services and enhance your career prospects, you can attend a college that offers funeral directing courses.
Finally, these professionals do not need to have a university education, but they generally are required to hold some years of driving experience. In some funeral companies, a commercial driver’s license is also mandatory to actively participate in this job.
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3. Get Experience About The Job.
One can get a hearse driver job by applying to funeral homes, hospitals, and companies that provide commercial funeral transportation services.
Although there are no proven statistics about this job growth, however, statistics estimate that in the coming years there would be a need for hearse drivers.
As people get old and crime rates increase there would be a 12% increase in the demand for hearse drivers from 2013 to 2023.
This calculation is slightly above the 10% average increase in the demand for other occupations.
According to Indeed, which is a reputable occupational resources website, hearse drivers earned about $21,000 every year in 2014.
4. Develop The Skills
Every occupation needs specific skills that would enable people to carry out their duties effectively.
You need more than a great driving skill if you want to excel in this profession.
People who are aspiring to go into this profession must be empathetic and compassionate to be able to comfort and support the relatives of the deceased.
You need to be emotionally resilient because at some point you might have to quickly adapt to stressful situations and focus on your state’s driving laws and observing other motorists.
As a funeral driver, you must be able to communicate well with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, so you need patience and interpersonal skills to carry out this job effectively.
Finally, critical thinking and time management skills are also important too, because burial rites typically follow strict time frames.
Hearse Drivers Requirements
To be successful in this career there are key requirements you need to have.
Although most funeral companies don’t list down education requirements for hearse drivers they must receive training before they being this job.
As mentioned earlier this profession requires at least 3 years of driving experience. Some funeral parlors request a commercial driver’s license before they hire you.
Furthermore, you must also have punctuality and excellent driving skills to excel in this job.
Funeral drivers are expected to drive carefully and considerately, even when they are faced with adverse inclement weather, heavy traffic conditions, or other unfavorable travel situations, such as road construction.
Duties Of A Hearse Driver
Just as you there are skills needed to become a Hearse Driver there are also some requirements and duties that are expected of hearse drivers.
Let’s check them out below.
- A hearse driver must be compassionate towards families and relatives that are mourning their loved ones.
- You must be able to effectively transport coffins containing the deceased from homes, mortuaries, hospitals, and funeral homes to a church or cemetery without any complaints from your company or the deceased family.
- In most states, the hearse driver leads the funeral procession, followed by the deceased family relatives and then other funeral attendees.
- You must also assist with the removal of the coffin from the vehicle upon arrival at the church, funeral home, cemetery, or burial site.
- Finally, Hearse drivers must maintain the vehicle’s appearance before and after the funeral date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is A Hearse?
A hearse is a vehicle used in transporting the body of a deceased person.
What Speed Do Hearses Drive?
A hearse driver is expected to drive slowly and safely for about 20 miles per hour
Why Is A Hearse White?
Hearse vehicles are white because the color white represents “new life”
Why Do Hearses Have Curtains?
The windows are covered with curtains so that the coffin is hidden from the crowd although some families prefer the curtains open.
Why Do Hearses Have 4 Doors?
Due to the arrangement of the coffin, hearse vehicles have four doors and two seats.
Conclusion
Now you know the duties, skills, and salary of a hearse driver, are you ready to explore this occupation? If yes, let us know in the comment section.