I'm interested in being a makeup artist for funeral homes...required schooling?

Question

I'll be out of high school in 2 yrs,and I'm wanting to be a makeup artist for funeral homes.What schooling does that require?Do I go to college or cosmetology school?Is there a more proper name for this profession?(ex:baby docter=pediatrician)
If you could give me a link or what you know (maybe you are one)could you tell me these things and tell me all you know about it,your expieriences ect.
(And please no answers that wont inform me...like no hateing)

Thank you so much in advance!

Oh and what is the income usually?Is it slightly near what a mortician would make?(obviously not as much but you know)

Answer 1

i would think you would have to go/ or at least want to go to cosmetology school. Do your research because some states prohibit anyone that does not have a license for embalming to be in the preparation room. You might have to call around to local mortuaries. most of the training actually comes from working in the business from what i understand.

Answer 2

I am pretty sure that cosmetologist do this. I used to do hair and on occasion one of the other stylist I worked with would get a call to do the hair and make up of someone that has passed on. A lot of times a stylist will go to the funeral home when one of their patrons passed on to do this as a request from their family.

Hope this helped a little anyway.

As for compensation the stylist I worked with did it for free, these were their clients and they would not charge the family for that last request from them. They were honored to do it.

Answer 3

I'm honestly not sure, but I would expect it to be more of a cosmetology thing. Have you considered contacting someone at a local funeral home and asking them what education they had to get? (Be sure to let them know you're serious--I bet they get a lot of prank calls--maybe set up a meeting.)