NEC
L29A
Mortician
A Navy Enlisted Classification: a skill designation sailors hold in addition to their rating.
Description
Performs medical/decedent affairs administrative and logistical duties in Navy and Marine Corps activities in accordance with appropriate regulations. Inspects and/or processes remains for transportation to the U.S., overseas locations or local burial. Ensures proper documentation accompanies remains. Conduct liaison with next of kin and foreign government officials for disposition of remains. Assist in recovery and identification of remains. Restores facial features to a normal appearance, disinfects and preserves by arterial and/or hypodermic injection of embalming chemicals. Conducts funeral services as required. Advised TYCOM and Navy Component Commands on Operational and Tactical level plans and requirements for casualties. Aids Joint Staff and Department of the Navy leadership in development of doctrine, tactics, techniques and procedures pertaining to mortuary affairs in a contested maritime environment.
Core Skills
- human remains recovery
- embalming and preservation
- facial feature restoration
- remains identification
- mortuary documentation
- next of kin liaison
- funeral service coordination
- mortuary logistics
- mass casualty planning
- decedent affairs compliance
Common Certifications
- National Board Examination Funeral Service Arts
- National Board Examination Funeral Service Sciences
- Certified Crematory Operator
- Certified Funeral Service Practitioner
- American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators Diplomate
- FEMA Incident Command System Certifications
Civilian Career Paths
- EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
- PUBLIC HEALTH
- ADMINISTRATION
Training & Development
Getting Started
- Accredited mortuary science associate degree
- National Board Examination Funeral Service Arts
- National Board Examination Funeral Service Sciences
- FEMA Incident Command System Certifications
Career Growth
- Certified Funeral Service Practitioner
- Certified Crematory Operator
- American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators Diplomate
- Funeral Service Director License
Equivalent Roles in Other Branches
Data sourced from official Navy publications and public military occupational references. Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.