Will AI Replace Embalmers?

Conform to laws of health and sanitation and ensure that legal requirements concerning embalming are met.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Apply cosmetics to impart lifelike appearance to the deceased.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Join lips, using needles and thread or wire.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Close incisions, using needles and sutures.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Incise stomach and abdominal walls and probe internal organs, using trocar, to withdraw blood and waste matter from organs.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Clean and disinfect areas in which bodies are prepared and embalmed.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Dress bodies and place them in caskets.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Make incisions in arms or thighs and drain blood from circulatory system and replace it with embalming fluid, using pump.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Remove the deceased from place of death and transport to funeral home.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Perform the duties of funeral directors, including coordinating funeral activities.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Attach trocar to pump-tube, start pump, and repeat probing to force embalming fluid into organs.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Reshape or reconstruct disfigured or maimed bodies when necessary, using dermasurgery techniques and materials such as clay, cotton, plaster of Paris, and wax.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Pack body orifices with cotton saturated with embalming fluid to prevent escape of gases or waste matter.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Conduct interviews to arrange for the preparation of obituary notices, to assist with the selection of caskets or urns, and to determine the location and time of burials or cremations.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Insert convex celluloid or cotton between eyeballs and eyelids to prevent slipping and sinking of eyelids.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Assist with placing caskets in hearses and organize cemetery processions.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Maintain records, such as itemized lists of clothing or valuables delivered with body and names of persons embalmed.

Routine cognitive or manual task with high vulnerability to automation.

Wash and dry bodies, using germicidal soap and towels or hot air dryers.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Arrange for transporting the deceased to another state for interment.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Perform special procedures necessary for remains that are to be transported to other states or overseas, or where death was caused by infectious disease.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Supervise funeral attendants and other funeral home staff.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Serve as pallbearers, attend visiting rooms, and provide other assistance to the bereaved.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Direct casket and floral display placement and arrange guest seating.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Arrange funeral home equipment and perform general maintenance.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Assist coroners at death scenes or at autopsies, file police reports, and testify at inquests or in court, if employed by a coroner.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Press diaphragm to evacuate air from lungs.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.