Crematory Operators in Michigan

Want to work as a Crematory Operators in Michigan? Here’s what you need to know. Operate crematory equipment to reduce human or animal remains to bone fragments in accordance with state and local regulations. Duties may include preparing the body for cremation and performing general maintenance on crematory equipment. May use traditional flame-based cremation, calcination, or alkaline hydrolysis.

What do Crematory Operators Make in Michigan?

For crematory operators working in Michigan, wages run about $44,710 per year (or about $21.49/hour).Earnings range from $39,230 at the 10th percentile to $50,330 at the 90th percentile.

Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Michigan nationwide is 1.15, suggesting that crematory operators are more concentrated here than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, crematory operators earn a median of $48,579 per year ($23.36/hour), lower than the Michigan median.

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 242,409 crematory operators in the U.S.. In Michigan alone, about 100 people work in this role. That’s in line with the typical state median of 100.

Top States for Crematory Operators Employment

The table below shows the states where the most crematory operators work.

Highest-Paying States for Crematory Operators

The highest-paying states for crematory operators.

Daily Tasks

Day-to-day, crematory operators typically:

• Clean the crematorium, including tables, floors, and equipment.
• Document divided remains to ensure parts are not misplaced.
• Embalm, dress, or otherwise prepare the deceased for viewing.
• Explain the cremation process to family or friends of the deceased.
• Offer counsel and comfort to bereaved families or friends.
• Pick up and handle human or pet remains in a respectful manner.
• Place corpses into crematory machines to reduce remains to bone fragments using flame, heat, or alkaline hydrolysis.
• Pulverize remaining bone fragments into smaller pieces, using specialized equipment, such as a cremulator or grinder.
• Read documentation to confirm the identity of the deceased.
• Remove jewelry, watches, or other personal items from the deceased prior to cremation.
• Sweep or vacuum the cremation chamber to retrieve remains for storage in an urn or other container.
• Transport the deceased to a funeral home or crematory using a van, hearse, or other vehicle.

Tools & Technology

Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Several college majors map to this occupation:

• Funeral & Mortuary Science

Related Careers

Careers similar to crematory operators include:

• Funeral Home Managers
• Coroners
• Floral Designers
• Surgical Technologists
• Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
• Home Health Aides

Also Known As

Cremation Arranger, Cremator, Crematory Operator, Operations Team Member (Ops Team Member), Pet Crematory Operator, Removal Technician (Removal Tech).

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 39-4012.00