Funeral Director

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Work Tasks

• Help family and friends arrange for the funeral service and burial of a person who has died
• Make plans for the body to be brought to the funeral home, and get it ready for the funeral
• Get the information needed for the death certificate, obituaries, and all required paperwork
• Keep financial and employee records for the business
• Work in funeral homes that have viewing rooms, embalming rooms, and chapels for religious services
• Work with dead bodies, death certificates, claims forms, caskets, urns, flowers, obituary notices, hearses, and limousines

Salary, Size & Growth

• $54,000 average per year ($26.00 per hour)
• A medium occupation (27,300 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (1.2% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A 2-year degree in mortuary science
• Employers Prefer: A 4-year degree in mortuary science
• Skills/Courses: College courses include anatomy, physiology, pathology, embalming techniques, restorative art, social sciences, business management, accounting, use of computers in funeral home management, client services, and legal, ethical, and regulatory issues.
• Certification/Licensing: A license is required. Must be 21 or older, have a mortuary science degree, complete an apprenticeship, and pass a test.