A Dictionary of Occupational Terms Based on the Classification of Occupations used in the Census of Population, 1921.

ORDER XXVII.—PERSONS ENGAGED IN PERSONAL SERVICE (including Institutions, Clubs, Hotels, etc.)

925.—Undertakers

bearer: assists in carrying body to grave, carrying coffin from premises to hearse and from hearse to grave.
blackman: see undertaker ; (Lancashire term).
embalmer: injects disinfecting chemicals into the blood vessels to preserve a dead body; generally prepares for transport or burial.
funeral director, funeral furnisher: see undertaker.
superintendent: see funeral director ; (Scottish term).
undertaker ; blackman (Lancashire), funeral director, funeral furnisher, superintendent (Scottish): superintends arrangements and is responsible for conduct of a funeral; estimates cost, measures body for coffin; sometimes prepares the body for burial.
undertaker's shop assistant: attends to callers in undertaker's shop; sells artificial flower wreaths, etc.; assists in polishing coffins; goes with undertaker's van to assist in carrying coffin into house; may also carry out duties of bearer (q.v.).
watcher: watches by coffin during nights preceding funeral; required by Jewish ritual.

From: A Dictionary of Occupational Terms Based on the Classification of Occupations used in the Census of Population, 1921,
Ministry of Labour, 1927. Digitised by Peter Christian, August, 2016. This text is in the Public Domain.