If you’re a fan of Halloween and everything frightful, we’ve got some spooky jobs you might want to look into. Whether it’s leading ghost tours, directing funerals, or creating wicked costumes, there’s a little bit of something for everyone. Take a look.
Forensic Pathologist
If you’re curious and have a strong stomach, this could be the job for you. A Forensic Pathologists’ job is to determine exactly why or how someone has died, usually done through a process known as an autopsy. Forensic Pathologists may also gather evidence directly from a crime or accident scene, as well as use their expertise to testify in court.
If you’d like to become a Forensic Pathologist, you’ll need to first become a qualified medical practitioner, before undertaking further specialist training.
Funeral Director
Also known as a Mortician or Undertaker, a Funeral Director’s job is to help (you guessed it) plan a person’s funeral. This includes all the nitty-gritty details, such as helping family or loved ones pick out a coffin, collecting bodies from mortuaries and preparing them for burial, and delivering or disposing of ashes after a cremation. You get to do some less morbid stuff too though, like picking out flowers and processing important documents.
There’s no specific qualifications necessary to work as a Funeral Director, but lots of experience will definitely help.
SFX Makeup Artist
Special Effects (or SFX) Makeup Artists are responsible for some of the magic we see on screen. They use their skills and tools to create realistic wounds, terrifying monster masks, weird facial features, and a whole other stack of things that transform actors into something else entirely!
Rick Baker, the SFX Artist responsible for creations in Star Wars, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Men in Black, says this about his work: “When you’re on the set and you get the makeup on this actor, and you actually see it start to become this living, breathing thing, it’s magical.”
Having training in makeup and arts can help you get your foot in the door with this career.
Ghost Tour Guide
Love history, the outdoors, and are a confident speaker? Becoming a Ghost Tour Guide could be ideal.
You’ll get to lead people through some of the most haunted places in the world, all while fascinating them with your extensive knowledge.
You won’t need any specific qualifications, just great storytelling skills.
Death Doula
A Death Doula’s (or Death Midwife) job is to help guide a person through the last stages of their life.
Rather than taking care of any physical needs, Death Doulas provide emotional and spiritual support and guidance to their patients. They work to alleviate some of the fear and anxiety around death, for both the person dying and their families.
There are no formal qualifications to become a Death Doula, but many have often worked in a health-related setting.
Haunted House Operator
Use your skills as a Haunted House Operator to create inventive and terrifying experiences. You can use your imagination and go wild! There’s a lot of work that goes in behind-the-scenes of a Haunted House; creating props, lighting effects, sound systems, animatronics, and more.
You can read more about the ins and outs of running a haunted house from Jacob Eugster, owner of Screamin’ Acres, here.
Spiritual Medium
Spiritual Mediums are people who can communicate between the living and the dead. They typically use this ability in a helpful fashion, by bringing comfort and understanding to the family and friends of people who have passed away.
Sometimes they have even been used to help solve crimes and mysteries.
Want more?
You can read tons more about all kinds of jobs (both spooky and not) here.