Valerie Martell

About me

I was born/grew up in: I was born in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan Canada, and grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

I now live in: I currently live in Lethbridge, Alberta.

I completed my training/education at: I have a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Saskatchewan, and I attended the Canadian College of Funeral Service to study Funeral Directing and Embalming.

What I do at work

I perform two main roles during any given workday. These two roles are very different from each other but are vital to the work I do. The two roles help me assist people who are grieving the loss of a loved one. The first role is as Funeral Director. I meet with the families who are grieving the lost of a loved one. I help them decide the type of service they want to have. Then I take care of the details of the service and care of the deceased person. I will register the death with the provincial government. I’ll take care of planning the pre-burial events. I make sure all the necessary details and timelines are taken care of.

My second role is as an Embalmer. In this role I make sure that the deceased person is prepared and taken care of properly. Embalming is the process through which a deceased person is temporarily preserved for viewing or shipping away from the place of death. The three goals of the embalming process are sanitation, preservation, and presentation. We achieve these goals by performing a surgical-type procedure that applies chemicals to the body with these goals in mind.

Embalming is as much an art as it is a science. Each situation has different conditions to consider. As a result, the Embalmer has to determine the best chemical and procedural practice to accomplish the desired results. The Embalmer has to take into account how a person died. They have to consider the person’s body type, age and the interval between death and preparation. They also have to consider how long, and under what conditions, the deceased will be stored prior to burial or cremation. This means embalmers have to have a strong science background. They need to know about human anatomy and physiology. They need to understand the chemicals they use. This includes such things as their intended effect, as well as safe storage and use. The art of embalming also requires Embalmers to understand colour theory and reconstruction techniques. Cosmetic application and physical reconstruction using clay and wax is sometimes necessary in the embalming and restoration process.

The funeral profession can, at times, seem heavy. This is because you are dealing each day with people who are sad. In addition to this, this work can take over your life. You never know when you will be needed. Often you must work outside of regular work hours. It is a job that requires a lot of personal care and attention to your own wellness.

My career path is

Being a funeral professional is not what I expected to do when I was in high school. There was not much information available to me as a young person growing up in a time before the Internet. I remember that this career option did come up, and I dismissed it as something that I would not be able to do. When I graduated high school, I first went to university. After a while, I did look into the funeral profession. I saw that my personal skills and interests were aligned with what was required in this work.

When I decided to enter funeral service, I got a job at a funeral home, and then enrolled in the Funeral Services program at the Canadian College of Funeral Service. I also asked my employer to allow me to apprentice. The general process is to do your academic studies via distance education. At the same time, you work as an apprentice throughout the two-year program. This allows you to apply what you learn in class and develop your skills. During my career I progressed from being a Funeral Director and Embalmer to being a funeral home manager. I also managed a cemetery as well. There is room in the profession for career growth, and specialization, depending upon what is most interesting to you.

I am motivated by

The motivation to work as a Funeral Director and Embalmer is that each day brings with it a new set of circumstances. There are always different people to meet and to assist. There is also a real sense of teamwork amongst the staff of a funeral home. It is a job that has so many varied tasks and duties that it is never boring.

Being a Funeral Director and Embalmer is rewarding in that you get to meet many and varied people. Most of them are going through a very difficult time in their lives. Often, they don’t have the experience and knowledge of the processes that are required at the time of losing a loved one. As the funeral professional, you guide and assist the people who have lost someone they love. You also care for their deceased loved one employing all the skills and knowledge you have about death and disposition. It is a profession in which you continually learn and grow. You get to learn from your experiences, from colleagues, and from the people you assist.

How I affect peoples’ lives

Funeral Directors and Embalmers often work in the background. And, while they don’t get much praise, they provide a very important service. When people are grieving a loss, they require skilled and compassionate assistance, and we provide that for them. Helping people, who are going through very difficult circumstances, is very rewarding.

Outside of work I

I like to remain active when not working. During my funeral career I found that physical activity (running, weight training and general fitness) was important to my overall health and ability to do my job well.

My advice to others

My advice would be to look into a funeral profession if you are curious about it. It is a career with many rewards and potential that a lot of people tend to overlook as an option. Most funeral homes would be happy to give you a tour and to talk about opportunities within the profession.

I am Indigenous

Yes, I am a member of the Waterhen Lake Cree Nation located in Saskatchewan.