Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers

Perform various tasks to arrange and direct individual funeral services, such as coordinating transportation of body to mortuary, interviewing family or other authorized person to arrange details, selecting pallbearers, aiding with the selection of officials for religious rites, and providing transportation for mourners.

$59,420
Median Annual Pay
Jobs growth:
+4% projected 2024โ€“2034
Associate's degree
Typical Entry-Level Education

What They Do

Funeral directors guide families through one of life's most difficult transitions by coordinating all aspects of memorial services and final arrangements. They meet with grieving families to discuss their wishes, explain available options for services and merchandise, and handle the numerous details required by law and custom. On any given day, they might prepare obituary notices, arrange transportation of the deceased, coordinate with clergy or celebrants, organize flower deliveries, and ensure all necessary permits and death certificates are properly filed. They oversee the preparation and care of the deceased, often working directly with embalmers, and manage the funeral home facility during visitations and services.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Funeral Service and Mortuary Science(bachelors)University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, MN
$60,367
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science(bachelors)Mid-America College of Funeral Service, IN
$56,427
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science(bachelors)Wayne State University, MI
$52,829
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science(associates)FINE Mortuary College, MA
$52,580
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science(certificate)Fayetteville Technical Community College, NC
$51,522
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science(associates)Arapahoe Community College, CO
$50,953
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science(associates)Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science Inc, PA
$50,340
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science(associates)Worsham College of Mortuary Science, IL
$50,043
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science(associates)Jefferson State Community College, AL
$49,566
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science(certificate)Des Moines Area Community College, IA
$49,355
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science(bachelors)University of Iowa, IA
$49,317
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science(bachelors)Gannon University, PA
$49,317
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science(bachelors)SUNY College of Technology at Canton, NY
$49,317
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science(bachelors)University of Rio Grande, OH
$49,317
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science(bachelors)Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science Inc, PA
$49,317
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science(bachelors)Point Park University, PA
$49,317
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science(bachelors)Cypress College, CA
$49,317
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science(associates)Brightpoint Community College, VA
$49,205
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science(associates)St Petersburg College, FL
$48,929
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science(associates)American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service, NY
$47,982
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science(certificate)Bristol Community College, MA
$47,424
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science(certificate)Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service, TX
$47,424
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science(certificate)Brightpoint Community College, VA
$47,424
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science(certificate)Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service, GA
$47,424
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science(certificate)Jefferson State Community College, AL
$47,424

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