Funeral Director / Embalmer
Quick Facts
Median Salary$70,603
Most Common EducationAssociate's degree
Projected 10-Year Growth+28.33%
Assessment MatchTake the Assessment
What They Do
A Funeral Director or Embalmer manages a funeral home business. Directs details of funerals and burials, provides services according to the cultural or religious preferences of families and files paperwork for death certificates. May perform or supervise embalming services to prepare bodies for burial.
Core Tasks:
- Obtain information needed to complete legal documents, such as death certificates or burial permits.
- Oversee the preparation and care of the remains of people who have died.
- Consult with families or friends of the deceased to arrange funeral details, such as obituary notice wording, casket selection, or plans for services.
- Perform embalming duties, as necessary.
- Remove deceased remains from place of death.
- Contact cemeteries to schedule the opening and closing of graves.
- Plan, schedule, or coordinate funerals, burials, or cremations, arranging details such as floral delivery or the time and place of services.
- Provide information on funeral service options, products, or merchandise, and maintain a casket display area.
- Close caskets and lead funeral corteges to churches or burial sites.
- Offer counsel and comfort to bereaved families or friends.
- Direct preparations and shipment of bodies for out-of-state burial.
- Discuss and negotiate prearranged funerals with clients.
- Maintain financial records, order merchandise, or prepare accounts.
- Arrange for clergy members to perform needed services.
- Provide or arrange transportation between sites for the remains, mourners, pallbearers, clergy, or flowers.
- Plan placement of caskets at funeral sites or place or adjust lights, fixtures, or floral displays.
- Clean funeral home facilities and grounds.
- Manage funeral home operations, including the hiring, training, or supervision of embalmers, funeral attendants, or other staff.
- Inform survivors of benefits for which they may be eligible.
- Arrange for pallbearers or inform pallbearers or honorary groups of their duties.
- Receive or usher people to their seats for services.
- Participate in community activities for funeral home promotion or other purposes.
What to expect as a Funeral Director / Embalmer
1Earn a Associate's degree
39% of people achieve this level of education.
2Gain skills and experience
See Funeral Director / Embalmer related courses on Tallo
3Land a job
878 openings for Funeral Directors / Embalmers
Career Progression
in United States (Nation)
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