Mortician

Role Overview

As a Mortuary Attendant, you will be the steady presence behind a service that families rely on during one of the hardest moments of their lives. Day to day, you receive, document, prepare, and safely store the deceased, maintain the mortuary's cleanliness and cold-chain integrity, and hand over remains to authorised relatives or funeral service providers with accurate paperwork. Your care and accuracy protect the dignity of the deceased, safeguard public health within the hospital, and give grieving families a process they can trust.

Key Responsibilities

• Receive deceased individuals into the mortuary, confirming identity details and completing admission records against the accompanying documentation.
• Prepare remains for storage, viewing, or collection, including washing, dressing, positioning, and assisting with embalming or preservation procedures.
• Operate and monitor refrigeration and cold-storage units, recording temperatures and reporting faults or deviations promptly.
• Release bodies only to properly authorised family members, funeral directors, or institutions, verifying identification and collecting the necessary signatures and permits.
• Clean, disinfect, and restock the mortuary, preparation room, and viewing areas on a scheduled basis, and manage waste in line with facility policy.
• Apply standard precautions and infection control measures at all times, including correct use of personal protective equipment and safe handling of sharps and contaminated materials.
• Support pathologists and clinical staff during post-mortem examinations, including setting up the room, handling specimens, and restoring the body afterwards.
• Maintain the mortuary register, inventory of supplies and consumables, and other records accurately and confidentially.
• Deal with bereaved families and hospital colleagues calmly and respectfully, answering questions about procedures and timelines within the limits of your role.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Certificate or Diploma in Mortuary Science, Anatomy, or a related field.
• Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).
• A minimum of six months' hands-on experience in mortuary services, preferably within a hospital environment.
• Strong relational skills, including empathy, the ability to influence and motivate others, and openness to feedback.
• Demonstrated high ethical standards in both personal conduct and professional responsibilities.
• Ability to follow standard precautions and infection control procedures without exception.