Funeral Directors
Overview
Funeral directors help families during difficult times by coordinating all aspects of funeral services, from preparing the deceased and handling legal paperwork to arranging ceremonies and working with clergy. They use modern scheduling software and communication tools to coordinate with cemeteries, florists, and other service providers while providing compassionate support to grieving families. This career requires strong organizational skills, emotional intelligence, and attention to detail, with many professionals completing mortuary science programs and apprenticeships. The work involves both behind-the-scenes coordination and direct family interaction, often in funeral homes that blend traditional practices with modern technology.
Did you know?
Funeral directors must obtain state-specific licenses that typically require completing mortuary science education, apprenticeships, and passing state board examinations.
At a Glance
Median Wage
$53,078.57 Avg/yr
Growth
Stable
Top Skill
Operations Monitoring
Key Responsibilities
- Arrange for pallbearers or inform pallbearers or honorary groups of their duties.
- Remove deceased remains from place of death.
- Plan, schedule, or coordinate funerals, burials, or cremations, arranging details such as floral delivery or the time and place of services.
- Arrange for clergy members to perform needed services.
- Clean funeral home facilities and grounds.
- Manage funeral home operations, including the hiring, training, or supervision of embalmers, funeral attendants, or other staff.
- Contact cemeteries to schedule the opening and closing of graves.
- Consult with families or friends of the deceased to arrange funeral details, such as obituary notice wording, casket selection, or plans for services.
- Plan placement of caskets at funeral sites or place or adjust lights, fixtures, or floral displays.
- Obtain information needed to complete legal documents, such as death certificates or burial permits.
- Offer counsel and comfort to bereaved families or friends.
- Receive or usher people to their seats for services.
- Perform embalming duties, as necessary.
- Participate in community activities for funeral home promotion or other purposes.
- Provide or arrange transportation between sites for the remains, mourners, pallbearers, clergy, or flowers.
- Maintain financial records, order merchandise, or prepare accounts.
- Provide information on funeral service options, products, or merchandise, and maintain a casket display area.
- Discuss and negotiate prearranged funerals with clients.
- Direct preparations and shipment of bodies for out-of-state burial.
- Oversee the preparation and care of the remains of people who have died.
- Close caskets and lead funeral corteges to churches or burial sites.
- Inform survivors of benefits for which they may be eligible.
Career Considerations
State Licensing Requirements
Funeral directors must obtain state-specific licenses that typically require completing mortuary science education, apprenticeships, and passing state board examinations.
Emotional Resilience and Compassion
The role demands exceptional emotional strength to support grieving families while managing personal stress from constant exposure to death and loss.
Business Management Skills
Success requires strong business acumen to manage funeral home operations, coordinate with vendors, handle financial arrangements, and maintain profitability in a competitive market.